Threads and cords for making your jewellery
Natural silk for beaded necklaces, nylon and elastic for stringing, Linhasita waxed thread for micro-macramé, leather, hand-dyed silk ribbons: choose the thread that will carry your beads.
The right thread depends on your piece… and on the hole of your beads. Our guide helps you choose the right diameter.
By material
Silk, nylon, waxed thread, leather or brass: each material has its use. Griffin silk threads and Linhasita threads have their own dedicated pages.
100% silk, 1.5 cm wide, with unique colour gradients: as a bracelet, necklace or headband.
See the range →
Natural silk on 2 m cards, in 0.35, 0.65 and 1.02 mm, for beaded necklaces.
See the range →
Waxed polyester from Brazil, 0.35 to 1 mm, on spools or in 10 m cuts.
See the range →
Griffin clear nylon from 0.15 to 0.60 mm, nylon with built-in needle and Flex-rite beading wire for heavy beads.
See the range →
Griffin elastic nylon 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm flat elastic and Miyuki elastic threads, for bracelets without a clasp.
See the range →
Beading thread 0.25 mm, Bead Crochet and Miyuki elastic threads for your Miyuki bead creations.
See the range →
Made in EuropeVegetable-tanned genuine leather strips, 3, 5 and 10 mm wide.
See the range →
0.6 mm waxed polyester, metallic waxed cord and 1 mm waxed cotton, made in Europe.
See the range →
Soft or stiff, in 1 m cuts, 24K fine-gold plated, nickel-, lead- and cadmium-free.
See the range →Fancy cords
For colourful jewellery and more graphic creations.
Best sellers
The threads we order most, in the shop and online.
Guide
Flexibility, stretch, knot hold, bead weight: each thread has its use.
| Thread | What it is | Ideal for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Griffin silk | 100% natural silk, on 2 m cards with built-in needle; 0.35, 0.65 or 1.02 mm | Supple bead necklaces, knots between beads | The thread is not doubled: choose the thickness according to the hole of your beads. Stretch it before use |
| Clear nylon | Griffin non-stretch nylon thread, on 50 m spools; 0.15, 0.35 or 0.60 mm | Strung bracelets and necklaces; the 0.15 mm also for bead weaving | Finish with crimp beads |
| Elastic | Griffin elastic nylon 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm flat elastic, Miyuki elastic threads from 0.3 to 0.8 mm | Easy slip-on bracelets, no clasp | Tie with a knot; do not use with crimp beads |
| Flex-rite beading wire | Beadsmith flexible wire 0.35 mm: 7 strands of stainless steel coated in nylon | Heavy beads: natural stones, glass, cultured pearls | Finish with a crimp tube or crimp bead, never a knot. Cut it with wire cutters |
| Miyuki thread | Beading thread: strong, supple 0.25 mm nylon, on 50 m spools | Fine stringing and Miyuki bead creations | For bead weaving (peyote, brick stitch), pair it with Miyuki extra-fine needles |
| Linhasita | Waxed polyester from Brazil, 0.35 to 1 mm, on spools or in 10 m cuts | Micro-macramé, braided and knotted bracelets | The 0.5 mm fits through Miyuki beads and beads with a hole of 0.6 mm or more |
| Waxed cord | 0.6 mm waxed polyester, metallic waxed cord and 1 mm waxed cotton, made in Europe | Knotted bracelets, macramé | Supple and easy to knot; the 0.6 mm works with Miyuki Delica 11/0 |
| Silk ribbon | 100% silk, 1.5 cm wide, hand-dyed | Bracelets, necklaces, headbands | Each ribbon has its own gradients. Finish with ribbon end caps |
| Flat leather | Genuine leather made in Europe, 2 mm thick; 3, 5 or 10 mm wide | Bracelets and necklaces with a bold look | In 50 cm (3 and 5 mm) or 25 cm (10 mm) |
| 24K gold-plated brass wire | 24K fine-gold plated brass, soft (0.4 or 0.7 mm) or stiff (0.7 mm), in 1 m cuts | Wire-wrapped pieces, rings, wire words | Nickel-, lead- and cadmium-free. Avoid prolonged contact with water, perfume and cosmetics |
| Braided cord | Plain, glitter or graphic braided cord, in 5 or 10 mm | Colourful bracelets and necklaces | Dedicated bails and push-in tubes for the 10 mm cord |
Good habit: check the thread diameter on its product page and the hole of your beads before ordering. For knotting between beads, follow our step-by-step tutorial.
Choosing well
A thread that is too thick won’t go through your beads. The diameter is shown on every product page: compare it with the hole of your beads.
To complete
For a neat finish on ribbons, cords and leather strips.
Discover →
To finish your pieces on nylon and beading wire.
Discover →
Miyuki extra-fine needles, big eye needle, pliers and accessories.
Discover →
Macramé, knots between beads, elastic bracelets: step-by-step techniques.
Discover →Frequently asked questions
Use an elastic thread: Griffin elastic nylon 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm flat elastic or Miyuki elastic threads. Griffin elastic is tied with a knot and suits beads with a hole larger than 0.5 mm. Do not use crimp beads on elastic thread. Find them all in our elastic threads collection.
Griffin clear nylon does not stretch: sold on 50 m spools, it is finished with crimp beads. Griffin natural silk is sold on 2 m cards with a built-in needle: supple and strong, it is the thread for beaded necklaces and knots between beads. Discover all the colours on the Griffin silk threads page.
Linhasita waxed thread: a waxed polyester from Brazil, from 0.35 to 1 mm, in a very wide range of colours. For bolder knots, also try our 0.6 and 1 mm waxed cords.
Compare the thread diameter, shown on every product page, with the hole of your beads. A few benchmarks: Linhasita 0.5 mm fits through Miyuki beads and beads with a hole of 0.6 mm or more; 0.6 mm waxed polyester works with Miyuki Delica 11/0.
On nylon or beading wire, attach the clasp with crimp beads. On elastic, tie a knot. For ribbons, cords and leather strips, use end caps that match their width.
Not always. Griffin silk threads and Griffin High Performance nylon have a built-in needle, and Flex-rite wire is stiff enough to do without. For Miyuki thread and bead weaving, use our Miyuki extra-fine needles or the collapsible big eye needle, in our tools.
Inspirations, tutorials, and new arrivals: receive the best of handmade in your inbox.
