Christine come to London and join a class-

When I teach the basic class, after working 5 necklace techniques of increasing fineness which dont involve knotting, we reach the high point of the class, (=necklaces at "Knightsbridge" level) =traditional pearl knotting using precious metal gimp with the clasps.

I offer at least 3 methods (also shown in my books) for doing the knots.

In the trade even in the '60s stringers worked on a light-coloured velvet cloth.

I use my fingers and pull the knots close with my fingernails, but I've seen stringers working the knots around the point of a hatpin, or very fine pointed watchmakers tweezers allow you to grip the central thread through the centre of the loop in such a way that as you pull it has to tighten where you want it.

A lot of words but simple when you get into the rhythm!

Stefany