How to Restring Prayer Beads

Many religions have their own version of prayer beads.

Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and many other spiritual persons use prayer beads to remind them of their beliefs, call attention to their faith or guide them through regular prayers and meditation. Like beaded jewelry, a string of prayer beads may fall apart when mishandled or after years of normal use. In most cases, you can restring beads with a few materials from your local craft or beading supply store.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon or rattail string
• Chain
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Count the beads to ensure that none are lost. Catholic Rosaries typically have 59 beads. If there are different beads for the "Our Father" and "Hail Mary" prayers, there should be six large beads and 53 smaller ones. Muslim prayer beads usually have 100 beads -- 99 small and one elongated bead at the end. The Hindu and Buddhist Mala may have 30 to 108 beads -- 108 beads are typical for monks, while 30 or 40 are more typical for lay believers. Also count any spacer beads used in the construction of the string.

2. Examine the string to determine whether it is salvageable. If the string seems weak, it is best to replace it to avoid restringing the beads again in the near future.

3. Select replacement beads and string at a beading supply store or craft store. Take your old beads and string or chain with you to select items that match your current prayer beads. Choose nylon or rattail string for a sturdy strand. If your beads were linked on a chain, select chains or links that best match the size and material of the old links. The beads' material may be significant, so try to select beads with the same material as well as the same color and size. For example, Buddhist prayer beads are traditionally made from Bodhi tree wood or seeds, bone, amber or semi-precious stones.

4. String beads on the nylon or rattail in the style of your old bead string -- usually, beads are strung one after the other, with one or more separator beads between them or with one or more knots between them.

5. Attach chain links together using pliers to open each link and then close it around the preceding link.

Tips & Warnings

• If making a Rosary, start the string with a cross, then three small beads and a large bead, then five "decades" consisting of a large bead and 10 small beads. There is usually a space between the large "Our Father" beads and the 10 "Hail Mary" beads.

• If making a Mala, string beads of uniform size together and end with a large focal bead and tassel.

• If making a Muslim prayer bead string, string the 99 beads together followed by the long terminal bead.

References

• Health and Yoga: Using Mala Beads (Rosary) For Meditation
• Museum of Anthropology: Prayer Beads: A Cultural Experience