Beading Thread
C-Lon®
C-Lon® beading thread is manufactured in the US since 2002 for Caravan Beads in Portland, Maine. A UV-resistant nylon polymer thread similar to Nymo, C-Lon® is strong, lightweight, durable, and colorfast. It feels like silk and has the drape and ease of Nymo, but with a durability like Power Pro or other monofilament products. It has almost no stretch and can be used for many different purposes including loom warping and weaving, Peyote stitch, netting, or any other multi-pass bead stitches. With its glossy finish and rich colors, it will hold up well over time and will not break down due to needle or bead abrasion as fast as other threads. There is no need to use beeswax or Thread Heaven with C-Lon®.
C-Lon® Size D (similar to Nymo D)
Use for on and off-loom bead weaving with size 10-11 seed beads or Delicas, mini micro-macrame, bead stitching and embroidery, etc. Its breaking strength is approximately 7 lbs.
C-Lon® Size AA (similar to Nymo B)
Use for off-loom bead weaving with size 15 seed beads. Its breaking strength is approximately 4 lbs.
Let’s Bead! carries C-Lon® D Thread in 36 colors, C-Lon® AA in 32 colors
Nymo
Nymo is made of non-twisted filament by the Bending Corticelli Company. It is lightly pre-waxed nylon thread and comes in sizes 00, 0, B, D, F, and G. Sizes 00 and 0 are great for a project that requires multiple passes through the same bead. Size D is a good general-purpose size.
Nymo tends to fray if you work the same piece for too long, but it is reasonably strong, and the pre-waxed element of it means that it slides through fabric or beads quite well. It is primarily made for lightweight beads. It can be doubled, but even then it should not be used with heavier beads. Nymo knots well and stretches like silk thread.
Let’s Bead! carries Nymo in size B [72yd bobbins] and D [64yd bobbins] in 20 colors
SoNo
SoNo was designed for beadworkers by master beader Sonoko Nozue. SoNo is a nylon that is difficult to pierce because it does not shred, tangling is minimized because it does not cling, and doubling is not necessary because of its strength. SoNo is available in 110 yd spools in white, black, red, grey, and natural.
Let’s Bead! carries SoNo in all 5 available colors
K.O.
K.O. is a strong, fray-resistant, non-stretchy thread that works beautifully with all off-loom bead weaving stitches. The fibers of the cut end stay together, making it easy to thread. It is pre-waxed, colorfast, abrasion and tangle resistant. K.O. is comparable to Nymo B. K.O. is available in 50m spools in white, black, natural, ivory, rose, red, gold, dark olive, light blue, dark purple, dark brown, and light grey.
Let’s Bead! carries K.O. in all 12 colors
Gudebrod Silk
Gudebrod Silk is a smooth, twisted, 3-ply thread made of natural silk in sizes 00 to FFF. The 100% silk ply of Gudebrod provides a high-quality lustrous finish and a graceful drape. Gudebrod is ideal for any project that requires the thread to be a visible design element. Gudebrod is colorfast; but stretches, so protect the clasp area from the additional wear and tear of the findings by using bullion/gimp/French wire. Over time, oils from the skin and cosmetics can weaken silk, so jewelry should be checked and restrung as necessary, usually every few years.
Let's Bead! carries Gudebrod Silk in a wide variety of colors
Silamide
Silamide is a prewaxed 2-ply twisted nylon thread alternative to Nymo. It is between Nymo A and B in thickness, but has the strength of Nymo D. It is more resistant to shredding than Nymo and is ideal for all beading techniques including brick stitch, right angle weave, peyote, bead netting, square stitch, loom weaving, and twisted fringe. It is popular for stitching beads to quilts due to its large range of colors.
Pearl Cotton Thread
Pearl cotton is a 2-ply, hi-sheen, non-divisible twisted thread used in many forms of needlework. Although pearl cotton is sometimes described as being “one strand,” it is really a non-divisible 2-ply thread. Pearl cotton is a ideal for bead knitting or crocheting. Pearl Cotton thread is available in sizes 8, 5, and 3.
Fireline
Fireline is a synthetic beading thread made of gel-spun polyethylene material that is very strong. Use Fireline in place of Nymo or Silamide for sharp-edged beads. It is excellent for woven projects, either on or off loom and is relatively resistant to abrasion. The short tail of the thread has a tendency to wrap itself around the working end, causing tangling and knotting. Minimize tangling by keeping the tail end as short as possible (less than 2 inches) and using Thread Heaven conditioner. Secure with knots, not crimps. Fireline is available in sizes 4, 6 and 8lb test strength in Crystal, Smoke, and Flame Green.
Gutermann Heavy Duty Thread
Gutermann Heavy Duty thread is a must for bead crochet projects. Gutterman is strong enough to withstand many years of wear in bracelets or necklaces, and is available in a wide variety of colors.
Let's Bead! carries Gutermann in a wide variety of colors