How to make rosaries
Before you begin, experiment with different designs, deleting and replacing beads as you go. I like to keep several designs on the stringing wire so I won't lose an idea if I later wish to return to it. Replace the first combinations with the final design when the wire is cut from the spool. The repeating of a sequence will create an overall rhythm or design that is not seen when just a few beads are strung on your beading wire. The following instructions are for a standard five-decade rosary and may be altered as desired with your choice of devotional chaplets or other prayer needs.
- Working directly off a spool of Soft Flex, first string on four "ender beads": one tube bead, a crimp bead, a second tube bead, and a second crimp bead.
- Sting on one Ave bead and two seed beads, then another Ave bead, etc. until you have 10 Ave beads, each separated by two seed beads.
- String on three seed beads, a tube bead, a seed bead, a Pater bead, a seed bead, a tube bead, and three seed beads.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have created a total of five decades of Ave/seed beads separated by sections of Pater/tube beads.
- When the sequence is complete, add four "ender beads": a crimp bead, a tube bead, a second crimp bead and a second tube bead, and then thread through one of two rings at the top of the "center" piece. Return through the four "ender beads", press the crimp beads firmly with crimping pliers, and trim off the excess wire.
- Return to the spool end, and allow for enough wire to work any changes in he design including four ender beads and 3" of leader wire. Cut the rosary from the spool.
- Replace any unwanted beads, and then run your fingers down the strand to remove any spaces created by tight-fitting beads. Thread the wire through the second top ring in the "center" piece as before. Do not press the crimp beads yet.
- Check for missing beads. Lay the looped necklace on your tabletop and look from one side to the other, ensuring that each side matches and there are no missing beads. Check for twisting by holing the necklace up. Correct this by rethreading the wire through the ring in the opposite directions. When satisfied with the necklace, press the crimp beads with crimping pliers and trim off any excess wire.
- Attach a pendant or crucifix to the bottom ring of the center by following the diagram provided, checking again for unwanted spaces between beads and twisting of the pendant before crimping off. The beads are strung in the order given on the diagram.