Let’s Talk About Stringing Part 1: Silk
There’s more than one way to string a bead. Most people have a preference on what sort of material they use for stringing. It is up to the individual to discover what works best for them and for the beads they are using. In this post, I will go over the different types of materials out there and give you information on some of the best ways to use the different types of stringing material.
Knotted Necklace from our Pearl Knotting Class 2024
There are three major material types that are used in stringing: natural fibers, synthetic fibers and braided wire. This time, let’s talk about stringing on some natural fibers— starting with silk!
The first earliest silk fibers woven into textiles date back to about 3630 BC. ( Ref: Here ) It has not only been used for fabric, but also twisted into strings for instruments and even used as harp strings as late as the 19th century. Pearl knotting with silk also shares a rich history and was particularly popular in the Roman Empire. The practice began to prevent the pearls from rubbing together, which can cause damage. To this day, using silk to string beads is a great method to ensure superior drape and knotting between the beads can be a beautiful addition to any strung bead design.
Cranberry Red Freshwater Pearls with Microfaceted Smoky Quartz Coin Beads — Knotting Design by Liz Turner
The variety of silk thread sizes available on 2 meter cards.
These days, silk can be used to string nearly any bead. Silk stringing material comes in many different thicknesses from size zero (which is 0.3mm in diameter) to size 16 (which is 1.05mm in diameter). While you can get it in a spool, many different colors and sizes come in 2 meter lengths on a card with a wire needle already strung and ready to go. This means that if you have a small project you don’t need to buy an excess amount of cord or purchase any extra unnecessary items or tools. Despite being such a high quality choice it is also one of the most cost-effective.