How to Make a Rosary With Beads That Move
The rosary is a prayer tool for Catholics, and each bead helps keep count of the prayers to be recited while remaining focused during devotional practice. The rosary consists of two parts: the chaplet (informally called the "Five Decades") and the pendant with crucifix.
Traditionally, the rosary is constructed with fixed, immovable beads. However, crafting a rosary with beads that move and slide along with the prayers is a viable alternative. As the prayers are recited, the fingers pull each bead down while the next bead conveniently slides into place for the next prayer. The easiest way to construct such a rosary is to use a stretch jewelry cord as the base.
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Things You'll Need
- Stretch jewelry cord
- Scissors
- Jeweler's glue or cement
- Rosary crucifix
- Rosary center
- 53 smaller beads for the Hail Mary prayers
- 6 larger beads for the Our Father prayers
- 2 crimping beads
Instructions
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Construction of the Chaplet
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1
Thread the beads in the following order while the stretch cord is still on the spool: 10 smaller beads, one larger bead, 10 smaller beads, one larger bead, 10 smaller beads, one larger bead, 10 smaller beads, one larger bead, and 10 smaller beads.
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2
Gently stretch the cord as you are beading. This helps to break in the cord for correct sizing of the completed piece.
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3
Attach a crimping bead after the last bead to ensure a solid stop for the chaplet. Don't apply too much pressure on the crimping bead, or else the bead will cut through the cord.
Attach the Rosary Center
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4
Tie a knot on the free end of the cord after the crimping bead. (Leave enough cord after the knot so that you will be able to attach the rosary center.) Apply jeweler's glue to the knot, and allow the glue to dry (approximately 60 seconds).
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5
Loop the free end of the cord through one side of the rosary center's top. Tie a knot attaching the end of the cord to the main segment. Apply glue to the knot, and allow it to dry. Cut off the excess cord.
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6
Take the end of the cord that is still attached to the spool and cut the cord. (Leave enough cord to attach the other side of the rosary center's top.) Attach a crimping bead to end of the cord after the last bead, and tie a knot. Apply glue to the knot, and let it dry.
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7
Loop the end of the cord through the other side of the rosary center's top. Tie another knot attaching the end of the cord to the longer piece of cord, apply glue to the knot, and let it dry. Cut off the excess cord.
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8
Set aside.
Construction of the Pendant with Crucifix
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9
Return to the cord spool and thread the beads in the following order while gently stretching the cord: one larger bead, three smaller beads, and one larger bead.
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10
Tie a knot to the free end of the cord allowing for enough room to attach the crucifix. Apply glue to the knot, and let it dry.
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11
Loop the crucifix, and tie it off with another knot attaching the free end of the cord to the longer cord segment. Apply glue to the knot, and let it dry. Cut off the excess cord.
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12
Cut off the spool end of the cord and allow for enough room to attach the cord to the bottom of the rosary center. Tie a knot after the last bead, apply glue, and let it dry.
Completing the Rosary
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13
Return to the chaplet piece.
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14
Loop the end of the pendant piece through the bottom of the rosary center on the chaplet piece.
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15
Tie a knot attaching the free end of the pendant cord to the longer segment of the pendant cord. Apply glue to the knot, and let it dry. Cut off the excess cord.
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16
Do a final inspection of the rosary. Ensure that all knots are secured and that excess cord has been removed.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Find rosary beads that feel comfortable under your fingertips.
Check the diameter of the beads' hole before you buy the stretch cord. Make sure that the width of the cord does not hinder the beads' movement.
Stretch Magic is a popular brand of stretch jewelry cord.
References
- Photo Credit bible and rosary image by jcpjr from Fotolia.com
