Beadwrangler Special Feature
November 15, 2000

QUESTION:  I'm glad I found a place to ask questions. I am trying to make a beaded crocheted bag and am having trouble with bead and thread sizes. The instructions say size 11 beads and size 20 thread. For all I'm worth I cannot get the size 11/0 beads I bought onto the size 20 thread. Is size 11/0 the same as 11? Stella.

ANSWER:  Hi Stella, yes, size 11/0 beads are the same thing as size 11. Czech beads manufactued today are much more standard in size and bead holes than they were in the past.  If you have very old Czech beads, 50 years or older, the holes may be smaller.  Most new Czech 11/0 beads can even be strung on #10 crochet thread, which is thicker than #20 thread, if you are using a twisted (flexible) wire needle to string them.

Czech beads as a rule do have smaller holes than the Japanese "Delica" beads.  People who have difficulty seeing the bead holes often prefer Delicas even though they are more expensive.   A magnifier can also help if you have difficulty seeing the bead holes.

As a rule Czech beads come on 'hanks' which are strands of threaded beads tied together. And Japanese beads usually come in in tubes or little baggies.  But sometimes people will put Czech beads in them too.

What kind of needle are you using to get the beads onto the thread? I know that most crochet threads are too big for beading needles. The easiest way is to use a 'twisted wire needle' which has a collapsable eye. They come in a variety of sizes and are absolutely wonderful to use!

You can also use the thread itself. You can stiffen the end of the thread by dabbing about an inch of it into clear fingernail polish and then pinching it or rolling it between your thumb and fingers to make a sharp point. Then after it is dry, the thread is hard enough to use like a needle to thread the beads onto.

If this doesn't work, you can make a 'thread harness' by threading a beading needle with about 3-4 inches of beading thread, like nymo size A or B. Then take the two thread ends and tie a very small knot to make a little loop.

Now, pass the crochet thread through this loop "harness'. Pull the crochet thread down several inches so it doesn't work its way out of the loop and then thread the beads onto the beading needle, over the beading thread and onto the crochet thread.The idea is that the nymo fits into the beading needle and the crochet thread loops through the nymo and collapses as the beads are pulled downward. The first bead or two may be a little tight going over the knot in the nymo, but after that it should work just great.

If you have a lot of beads to thread, you may consider getting a 'Bead Spinner.'  This is a fantastic tool!! You pour the beads into a specially made bowl, that you spin with one hand, while holding a special needle inside the bowl with the other hand. The beads just jump onto the needle. I absolutely love mine! So far I have only used it with size 6/0 beads and crochet thread, but it is worth its weight in gold. I made a beaded crochet piece for the Embellishment Fashion Show this year and I would not have finished it in time if I hadn't had my wonderful Bead Spinner! I can't say enough about this great tool! You can check out bead spinners, twisted wire needles and crochet thread at www.beadcrochet.com or your local bead store.  For more information on bead crochet, go to www.beadcrochet.com which includes tips & techniques, bead crochet lessons, a link to the Crochet Guild of America and other crochet goodies.

Enjoy! Barb

Barbara Grainger is the author of:
Peyote At Last! A Peyote Beadwork Primer
Peyote Design Techniques
Dimensional Flowers, Leaves & Vines

Visit Barb's new Website - BarbsPage

I have a review of Barb's new book in the Book Center.  If it is not there when you read this, check back in a few days.  I am working on several new book reviews.