THREAD COMPARISON CHART
FINE THREAD
|
BRAND NAMES |
TYPE |
SUGGESTED NEEDLE SIZE |
OPTIMUM BEAD SIZE |
PROS |
CONS |
|
Gudebrod Inc. Champion Silk |
Size E filament silk 3 ply |
Size 10 beading needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) knitting needles |
Size 10° to 12° |
Strong tightly spun thread, excellent for fine bead knitting |
Should not get this thread wet - knitting may stretch |
|
Treenway Silks 20/2 silk yarn |
silk 2 ply spun silk |
Size 10 beading needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) knitting needles |
Size 10° to 12° |
Softer, finer thread Large selection of colors available |
Can appear fuzzy Not ideal for heavily beaded projects |
|
Treenway Silks, Fine Cord |
silk 3 ply |
Size 10 beading needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) knitting needles |
Size 8° to 12° |
Strong tightly spun thread |
Heavier thread may not work well with tiny beads |
|
Pearle Cotton various brands available Presencia, DMC |
Size 8 cotton 2 ply |
Size 10 beading needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) knitting needles |
Size 8° to 12° |
Softer, finer thread |
Knitting may stretch Not ideal for heavily beaded projects |
|
Metallic braids Various brands available Kreinik Metallics |
Size 4 Very fine braid |
Size 10 beading needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) knitting needles |
Size 10° to 12° |
Firmer knit structure shimmer adds glitter to knit |
Not as strong as a spun thread Can be uncomfortable next to your skin |
|
Metallic braids Various brands available Kreinik Metallics |
Size 8 Fine braid |
Size 10 beading needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) knitting needles |
Size 8° to 12° |
Firmer knit structure shimmer adds glitter to knit |
Not as strong as a spun thread Can be uncomfortable next to your skin |
MEDIUM THREAD
|
BRAND NAMES |
TYPE |
SUGGESTED NEEDLE SIZE |
OPTIMUM BEAD SIZE |
PROS |
CONS |
|
Kreinik Silk Serica |
Filament silk 3 ply |
Size 10 beading needle, size 26 – 28 fine tapestry needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) and size 00 (2 mm) knitting needles |
Size 6° to 10° Size 10° will not always fit |
Very strong silk thread |
Not tightly spun, thread can split when knitting with finer needles. Knitting may stretch. |
|
Treenway 8/2 silk yarn |
Spun silk 2 ply |
Size 10 beading needle, size 26 – 28 fine tapestry needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) and size 00 (2 mm) knitting needles |
Size 6° to 10° Size 10° will not always fit |
Softer slightly heavier thread |
Not tightly spun and can appear fuzzy |
|
Presencia El Molino |
Loosely spun rayon thread |
Size 10 beading needle, size 26 – 28 fine tapestry needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) and size 00 (2 mm) knitting needles |
Size 6° to 10° Size 10° will not always fit |
Lustrous thread, knits firmer than silk |
Threads can separate as you knit and knitting can appear fuzzy |
|
Pearle Cotton various brands available Presencia, DMC |
Size 5 cotton 2 ply |
Size 10 beading needle, size 26 – 28 fine tapestry needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) and size 00 (2 mm) knitting needles |
Size 6° to 10° Size 10° will not always fit |
Supports the larger beads with a firmer knit |
Knitting may stretch |
|
Kreinik Metallics Tapestry braid |
Size 12 Metallic braid |
Size 10 beading needle, size 26 – 28 fine tapestry needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) and size 00 (2 mm) knitting needles |
Size 6° to 10° Size 10° will not always fit |
Firmer knit structure. Shimmer adds glitter to knit and beads |
Not as strong as a spun thread Can be uncomfortable next to your skin |
|
Kreinik Metallics Ombre |
8 ply soft twist thread |
Size 10 beading needle, size 26 – 28 fine tapestry needle Size 0000 (1.25 mm) |
Size 6° to 10° |
Beautifully fluid knit structure |
Difficult thread to work with. Thread splits and the plies can break when knitting firmly Not as strong as spun thread |
HEAVY THREAD
|
BRAND NAMES |
TYPE |
SUGGESTED NEEDLE SIZE |
OPTIMUM BEAD SIZE |
PROS |
CONS |
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|
Twilley’s Goldfingering |
Polyester viscose knit cord |
size 26 fine tapestry needle Size 00 (2 mm) |
Size 6° to 8° And larger |
Washable thread Very stable for larger projects, supports heavier beads well |
The knit structure of the cord can unravel and may be difficult to string beads. Not as strong a spun thread and can be uncomfortable next to your skin |
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|
Pearle Cotton various brands available Presencia, DMC |
Size 3 cotton 2 ply |
size 26 tapestry needle and size 00 (2 mm) knitting needles |
Size 6° to 8° And larger |
Supports the larger beads with a firmer knit |
Knitting may stretch |
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|
Kreinik Metallics Medium Braid |
Size 16 Metallic braid |
size 26 tapestry needle and size 00 (2 mm) knitting needles |
Size 6° to 8° And larger |
Very firm knit structure Very strong braid Will support larger beads |
Some may find this braid too stiff for knitting Can be uncomfortable next to your skin |
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