This technique allows you to create really professionally finished rope necklaces.

One of the problems our students often bring to us is how to make a tidy end to a rope or strung necklace. (examples, main photo.) The problem is that there is often some wire or thread showing after the beads have been threaded on and the calotte added. It  can be quite frustrating trying to stop this from happening.

In order to avoid this, you need to ensure that the last knot you make is right up against the beads. Here's how it's done.

Just after you have threaded on your last bead, make a large loose loop in your threading material-you should have enough spare length to do this. Now,. take a pair of round pin pliers, and insert one of the prongs inside the loop. Do not grip the thread with the pliers, but instead keep the pliers open.

Pull the loop down towards the beads with the pliers, the prong inside will do this. At the same time, pull on the free end of the thread to shrink the loop. You will see that the loop has tightened into a knot, just a few mm away from the last bead. Remove the prong from  the knot, and push down on the knot from above to tighten it. There needs to be a few millimetres gap, to allow the calotte to fit over the knot, plus the beads shouldn't be too tightly strung. Finish this step by making a second knot over the first to make a thick enough knot to close the calotte over.

Now you're ready for the next step, adding a clasp

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