HOW to MAKE a ROSARY
Traditionally prayer counters have been made three basic ways over the centuries. Records tell us that the knotted cord were probably the earliest with strung rosaries and chain rosaries following. Each serve their purpose very well. How a rosary is made may depend on several things: materials available and/or how they will be used or distributed. So to say one method is better than the other is not an issue here.
Most important is to make and distribute them for prayer or to pray on them ourselves! It is as simple as that.The instructions below are for the standard 5 decade rosary and may be configured as needed for your choice of devotional chaplets or other prayer needs.
~ MAGAZINE ARTICLE ~
SEE OUR ARTICLE ON HOW TO MAKE A ROSARY IN BELLE ARMOIRE - WINTER 2003
SPIRITUAL ART
Learn how to make your own rosaries & chaplets in the Winter 2003 issue of Belle Armoire Magazine published by Somerset Studios - back orders still available - order directly from link above.
Spiritual Art by Margot Carter-Blair
Combining your favorite beads with a centuries-old design, learn to fashion beautiful rosaries and chaplets that will be treasured for generations. |
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~ CONFIGURATION ~
5 DECADE ROSARY with PENDANT
Standard 'Dominican Rosary' instructions may be adjusted as
needed for 'Anglican Rosaries' or '10 bead Chaplets.'
5 sets of 10 beads divided by 4 larger beads, attached at each
end by using 2 top rings of rosary center.
5 BEAD PENDANT CONFIGURATION
Note 2 large Pater beads, one at each end of 3 smaller Ave beads
attached to lower ring of rosary center and ending in a crucifix
All 4 connecting areas where wire is attached to either the center or cross
are the same and design is created by using functional 'connecting' beads.
Large holed beads for wire to pass through twice.
~ STRUNG ROSARIES ~
BEADING SUPPLIES for a 5 DECADE ROSARY
AVE'S - 53 - 8 mm beads
PATERS - 6 - 10 - 12 mm beads
Tube of seed beads for spacers
VARIETY OF 4 to 5 mm beads for connecting and ornamental use
(holes on 4 to 5 mm beads must be large enough for wire to go through twice. If the second wire is forced it may cause the wire to curl - optional: bead caps for paters and/or aves - 2 for each bead.)
ROSARY CRUCIFIX - ROSARY CENTER
TOOLS
.019 WIRE
(30 foot spool of bronze or sterling - 49 strand wire - Soft Flex or Beadalong type wire)
CRIMPING BEADS
(2mm are sized to fit .019 wire - silver or gold colored)
CRIMPING PLIERS - SHARP SIDE CUTTERS
INSTRUCTIONS - STRINGING THE BEADS
BEFORE BEGINNING, PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
To save on wire do not cut the needed length of wire from spool.
Simply begin stringing beads onto the wire while it is still attached to the spool.
This also holds the beads on the wire while you are working.
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~A~
HOW TO CRIMP
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Instructions below are from the back of the Crimping Pliers.
Technique will remain the same, adapt to your needs.
(We normally use two beads at each end for extra strenght)
CONSTRUCTION NOTE:
We would encourage you to practice crimping beads before you start. To practice, cut a 6 in length of wire and double it, thread on several crimps and begin the crimping process. (see how to crimp above) It will be important to practice on 2 wires, not 1!
For strength, you will want to use 2 crimping beads at each
end of wire before adding center or cross. Begin by adding
starter beads as in image left to right:
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1 bead - 1 crimp - 1 bead - 1 crimp - 1 bead |
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~B~
DECADE of 10 AVE BEADS
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Now that you are ready to begin your first decade, you will need
to put spacers between each AVE bead of decade. Try 2 or 3 seed beads
between each 8mm AVE bead to see which works best for your
praying fingers. (Go back and look at first image, noting you will
begin your design by counting from the top ring of the center medal.)
|
1 AVE bead - 2 or 3 seeds - 1 AVE bead - 2or 3 seeds - etc. |
Continue this sequence until you have completed your first decade of 10, ending
with an AVE bead. Now you will be adding your first PATER bead.
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~C~
ADDING PATER BEAD
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You will need to create a larger space between last AVE
bead and PATER bead by adding more seeds and other decorative
beads of your choice. (eg: same beads used next to crimpers may
work well - metal caps, etc)
|
4 - 5 seeds - decorative beads - optional caps - PATER BEAD - optional caps - decorative beads - 4 - 5 seeds |
Now you are ready to start your next decade of 10 AVES.
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~D~
REPEAT SEQUENCE
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Repeat sequence until you have completed 5 decades separated by 4 PATER
beads ( you will end with an AVE bead, not a PATER bead)
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repeat B (AVE): 4 times - repeat C (PATER): 3 more times |
DESIGN NOTE: At the end of the 5th Decade, repeat A adding two more crimping beads.
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~E~
TO ADD CENTER
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1. Using one of the two top rings of the rosary center, (allowing the
lower ring for the pendant) thread about 2 1/2 inches of wire through
ring and back through 2 crimps and first 2 beads.
2. Adjust so wire loop is 5 mm or less.
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~F~
TO FORM CRIMPING BEAD
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Go back to A instructions above to see how to use crimping pliers.
Technique will remain the same, adapt to your needs.
CONSTRUCTION NOTE: Make sure wire that is looped through the center, 'ender' beads and crimping beads is positioned parallel to itself. If it cross over itself it may cause the rosary to twist at the last minute - then begin crimping:
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To form a tight, clean and well shaped crimped bead you will need crimping pliers. Check images above noting difference in shape of the two areas for crimping. (For proper crimping - make sure you hold the pliers so curve points towards you and not away)
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1. Set crimp into inside 'crimper' - crimp bead into a 'c' shape to tighten and secure both wires.
2. Set crimp in outside 'folder or rounder' - to fold and flatten bead back onto itself.
3. In same hole, turn bead 1/4 turn - crimp lightly but firmly again to round bead off.
(never work your pliars too hard as it will weaked the wire causing it to break later)
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~G~
TO COMPLETE LOOP
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CONSTRUCTION NOTE: Hold rosary so center hangs down and spool is on top to release and let beads 'settle' on wire. Make sure beads are not caught on wire creating empty spaces by running fingers down the beads several times. This also helps release any twisting of the wire. Cut wire off of spool about 3 inches beyond beads. Repeat E using other top ring and making sure your wire connecting loops are all the same size before crimping.
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~H~
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TO COMPLETE PENDANT WITH CRUCIFIX,
USE TECHNIQUES and IMAGES ABOVE.
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DESIGN NOTE: note that the 4 'ender' bead configurations are the same. The purpose of this is to create the same design on each end as 3 connect to the center and 1 connects the crucifix.
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CONSTRUCTION NOTE: Before crimping pendant to center , check to make sure center and crucifix are facing in the same direction. Make sure your wire is parallel to itself as crimping overlapping wires may cause the metals to twist at the last minute.
~ CHAIN ROSARIES ~
YOU WILL NEED
AVE BEADS - 53 - 8 mm beads
PATER BEADS - 8 or 10 or 12 mm beads
METAL BEAD CAPS - (optional - two for each bead)
ROSARY CRUCIFIX - ROSARY CENTER
# gauge wire for making chain. (Silver or gold color, Bronze or sterling)
ROSARY PLIERS - SHARP SIDE CUTTERS
INSTRUCTIONS - MAKING THE CHAIN
under construction
~ KNOTTED CORD ROSARIES ~
link to knotted cord and ranger rosaries
... I am not Catholic but ...
I was the first Army Chaplain to carry the Ranger Rosaries. I am in the National Guard unit with Frank Ristaino
and he and his family made them for those of us who were deploying to Bosnia. We arrived in Bosnia 18 SEP 2001
and returned 02 APR 2002. I am not Catholic but hold your faith and traditions in high regard. I still carry a Ranger Rosary with me everywhere I go and the only time I am without one is when I find a Catholic Soldier or family of a soldier who needs a word of encouragement.
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Thank you for considering these rosaries as worthy of your web-site.
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CH (MAJ) W. Ray Williams 1/158th US Cavalry Maryland Army National Guard
(Submitted at: 8:15 on Monday, July 28, 2003)
... always been devoted to the rosary ...
Hi: I have always been devoted to the Rosary, but just as of late did I start making them. I have seen probably 100 sites or better of bead sites and though many are beautiful, none compare to your's. So many beautiful pieces you carry. Thank you for posting the instructions... I have gotten many tips from them. Keep up the wonderful work that you are doing in finding such beautiful pieces to use ..... Your ready made Rosary are just out of this world, what beautiful,
exquisite work God Bless, Sincerely, Coco O'Connor
