My favourite thread for crocheted beadwork is Coats and Clarks Dual Duty which is cotton wrapped polyester.  Polyester thread is much stronger than nylon and the cotton wrap helps protect my hands as I use a very tight tension for this work.  This is a fine enough thread to be almost invisible in necklaces crocheted with seed beads and comes in many colours which also helps to hide it in my work.

For weaving, netting, etc., I still use this thread most of the time.  Although the cotton does fray a bit, especially if I have to take out a section and redo it.  However, the polyester keeps it strong.

Another big advantage to using this thread is that it is relatively inexpensive and readily available in the small town where I live.

I started out with Nymo and stick to that, C-lon and Superlon. I don't like the feel of fireline- although I've only used it a couple times. If I'm using bugles, I use kevlar thread.

 Krestia

I used to use Nymo thread, but now use exclusively Fireline.  I find it is really far stronger than anything else and is by far my favorite.  Fireline comes in white and black and in B and D as well as heavier weights.  Very hard to break and seems to be fine with almost anything!

Helen

 My thread of choice is either SoNo or KO - both pretty much the same.  Neither frays unless you really abuse it. Nymo, however, is very easily frayed and I don't use it unless I really need a color I can't find in the others.  That's the one drawback to SoNo and KO- not many colors.  But KO has the most of the two.  I also use fireline - 6lb for some projects.  I buy it at a sporting goods store - it's much cheaper.

It really does depend on what you are working on.  For plain stringing I use softflex - mostly the .014 size, altho I keep .019 around for heavy beads like lampwork or chunky stones.  I use Softouch .010 for pearls - I really don't feel the difference between Softflex and softtouch and Softflex is cheaper, but it doesn't come in .010 size.  I think softflex is more flexible and less "kinky" than other brands.

for bead weaving I used to use Nymo, now Nymo is only for bead embroidery and sometimes peyote stitch. For anything where the thread has to "go around corners" - right angle weave, spirals, herringbone - and ALWAYS when using crystals or bugles, it's fireline all the way.  I buy it from the sporting goods dept of whatever discount store I happen to be in.  I think I'm on my 5th or 6th 125 yd spool of 6 lb test since I discovered it.....I use 6 lb mostly, 8 lb for things like beaded beads that need to be "stiffer". 

I also just picked up a spool of the crystal fireline at the beadstore, hoping to be able to color it.  I have not tried yet, but what I have heard is that permanent markers work well, altho some of the color will come off on your hands, so color it, let it dry, and then run it thru a cloth or paper towel before you actually stitch with it.

Bead crochet, I use Jeanstitch, #30 crochet cotton, or the buttonhole/upholstery weight polyester thread.  The last is really tiny and tends to make dents in my fingers where it is wrapped around, but you need it for pearls. 

Hi all,

     Since I'm new to bead crochet, I was wondering what thread you all use?  I've only made one thing and I used the nylon thread that came with the kit I ordered.  Can any of the thread at JoAnn's or Michaels be used for bead crochet?  Thanks.

Beadallday

I am definitely a fan of fireline. I find it very easy to thread the needle (pretty much first time every time) because it's so fine. It's strong too and it doesn't fray.

I have a spool of Nymo I've used once, as it drove me insane - even when conditioned the end frayed out and I spent half my time threading the needle during a project, rather than actually beading. It really slowed me down. Plus (again even when conditioned) I found it very slippy and it was hard to keep the tension tight enough - finishing off without having thread-gaps showing was a nightmare.

 Silamide I have used and liked - didn't get on so well with Beadstring nylon thread though but that may be because the size 2 was too thick so needle-threading was a problem.

 Basically if Fireline came in a range of colours my life would be complete!

Hello seed beaders,

I've been crocheting with seed beads for over 40 years and have, naturally, tried countless threads.  For me, the ultimate choice is Coats & Clarks Dual Duty Plus.  It's very strong, goes through the beads easily, and comes in many colours.  It's also available in most stores that sell thread, which really helps a small town girl like me who has few shopping options.  It's also quite inexpensive compared to a lot of "beading" threads.

Happy Beading!

Elegant

Thank you, ladies.

     I'm going to take your advice.  I use fireline for all other seed beading projects but didn't know it could be used for bead crochet.  Also the coats/clark dual duty plus.  Great advice!!  You ladies are the greatest!!  Thanks again!

Beadallday

I now use PowerPro .005 because i use size Czech 15/0 cut beads and can get more needle passes through than with Power Pro .006. I started with Nymo which i can't use for cut beads. 

 Generally I prefer Fireline 6lb (have now found a local fishing shop that stocks it, but usually buy off eBay), especially if it is an item to sell or a gift, as I can trust it will not break, but for fringe/embroidery I use Nymo - conditioned with thread heaven or beeswax. I like the robustness of Fireline, it adds stiffness and strength to your work, but it's not good for draping & it's about 10x the cost per metre. Having said that, it doesn't fray and it's nigh on impossible to stitch through, unlike other beading threads, so if you have to pull your work back it's a breeze. Plus it doesn't need conditioning, just a scrape with your thumbnail on the end to flatten when you're threading!

I use several different threads depending on the types of beads used.

Seed bead only = Nymo

Crystals, gemstones and czech beads with seed beads = Power Pro  (There has only been 1 project that Power Pro didn't hold up with crystals and it was a HUGE crystal pendant as a focal on a crochet rope.)

I use Fireline or Power Pro with triangle or bugle beads.  These beads tend to cut and fray nymo. 

This is a great thread

Am all about the Japanese thread, I always emphasize time best saved for working rather than dealing with frayed threads.

I found Silamide is the worst cos its frayed easlily, but its the least expensive and some prefer the silky smooth feels to it. But I prefer to use Silamide for looming work especially purse for cost reason and it gives that stiff finishing.

Nymo frays easily aswell although cant beat the variety of colors the offer. I prefer Nymo B over D. I used Nymo for a lot of embroidery because the threads doesnt have to go the smallest bead too many times.

 Sono thread its by far the best for seed beads, despise the fact it only comes in 5 colors, it doesnt frayed and breaks easily. It's strong and easy to cut.

Before I discovered KO 300, I used power pro and fireline, but KO 300 is the best for working to bezel small rivoli. KO has a slight flexbility and stretch that power pro doesnt have so I never had to worry not being able to fit the small rivoli. And it comes in 5 different colors, it enter small beading thread easily (I dont have to flatten the tip like I do to powerpro and fireline). Works very very well with Swarovski crystal. And its much cheaper compare to fireline and powerpro

KO , I used this to bezel bigger rivoli. I honestly havent been able if they are any better than Sono. But it comes in 12 different colors.

KO Super, got this as sample the other day. I havent tried it yet but I cant wait.

Crocheting

Jeans stitch are great for beginners, its not too slippery and doesnt break easily.

Gudebrod silk, I recently tried size D to work with 15o and its too thick for the beads, when I slide the beads the threads are frayed due to the friction. But size E is perfect.

Gudebrod silk is best to work with 15o and smaller and when you wanted to have that close and tight finish results.

FJX bead crochet beads; again I feel the need to mention this. This polyester thread is great for beginner and the best part, each spool comes in various dyed so its great to use with transparent beads because it gives different color effect. The final result is stiffer

I have tried One G... I don't love it though.

but i DO love - LOVE LOVE - Sono. Its fabulous. I was a Nymo girl until I tried this stuff, and now I use it almost exclusively.

I am not a huge fan of Fireline if you are doing anything that needs to drape nicely - its not good for making fringe really, from my experience. SoNo will also make nice fringe, and you can do twisted fringe with it too.

:)

jm2c

mdg

 Hi Judy, Bello Modo offers One G for sale as well as KO (my preference) which I am told is almost the same as One G. They carry other threads as well and I believe their shipping is free in the US, $1 for Canada. Great company!

I've been a devoted Fireline and Nymo user for years, but I recently changed both those favorites to new ones, much to my surprise. 

I received a sample from Beadalon of their new beading thread product, WildFire. It's their competitive version of Fireline, but instead of being plucked from the fishing department, this thread was produced specifically for the bead weaving market.

At first I was skeptical that it was necessary or would be much different from Fireline. So what's the point? But I admit right here and right now, I'm really loving it. You want to know why, right? Well, let me tell you...

• It doesn't have the smoky coating on the thread, so no more messy hands. When you use as much Fireline as I do on a daily basis, you walk around with that coating literally ground into your skin. I'd rather not be mistaken for an auto mechanic...
• It's more supple than Fireline - kind of a middle ground between the softness of Nymo, and the stiffer feel of Fireline. The WildFire is a lovely weight to work with, and I have yet to tangle it in a few hours of working with it. None of the kinks wrapping around your working thread that I always get with Fireline.
• Even though WildFire feels softer, it still retains the non-stretch and water proofing qualities that are important to me.
• I tested it against Fireline in how much effort it takes to get a crystal to saw through it, and the difference was indistinguishable.
• The spools are the same type of packaging as Beadalon - which means it comes with that clear plastic half-circle to cup around your spool to keep it unraveling. My Fireline spool is endlessly becoming unraveled and tangled when I travel with it. And the 125 yard spool packaging is the same small size as the 50 yard spool - just packed with more thread. So it's easier to carry around.

When I started recommending it to my students, I had difficulty finding a retailer to direct them to in order to get their hands on it. So I decided I'd sell it myself! That's how much I found I love it.

But just like Fireline, color choice is an issue with WildFire. So when I need something that's a particular color, I'm now most often using Toho's thread, One G. I find it softer and less likely to tangle or fray for me than Nymo. 

 Jill

For storing fishing line thread & other "spools" that come in the same packaging, I found the perfect container:

Available at Bass Pro

 It is actually pretty handy & light weight just carrying that thing around from room to room & just pulling the thread out as I need it. I've actually gotten a few projects that needed different size & colored thread in the same project & it's worked out very nicely.

Then if I need some thread for traveling, I just pre-measure some thread onto some some plastic floss bobbins (those little hard plastic cards that you get in the cross stitch section.)

 I know that I can't use a thread that's too long, since it tangles, & I've worked with my projects long enough, that I've gotten a good idea of how much I need to finish them.  :)