According to the dictionary a cord is a thin rope or thick string, a string is a fine cord, and threads are fine cords or yarns. All are flexible and used to bind, tie and hang objects. Ribbon and Hat Elastic are included in this section.

Cord and Lacing
This is suitable for threading through large hole and heavy glass, ceramic and wooden beads and comes in several different materials. It can be flat or round and ranges from 1mm to about 4 or 5mm in thickness. Available in earthy, pastel and bright colours depending on the material. Leather and Suede, both natural and imitation, and Waxed Cotton are rather stiff, Rat-Tail, a shiny stain cord and Polyester Lacing are softer.

Thread
Quite fine and soft, requiring a needle to pass through beads. Silk is a strong natural fibre, several filaments or strands are twisted to produce an immensley tough thread. Shorter lengths come on a card with a needle attached, longer lengths come on a spool. Mostly used for knotting pearls and precious stones. Polyester Thread is a cheaper alternative to silk, but produced and packaged in the same way though not neccessarily with a needle. It does tend to stretch, so is suited to lighter weight beads. With flat rather than twisted filaments, Nymo is an exceptionally strong multi-strand nylon thread. Being flat allows it to pass through tiny beads repeatedly. Excellent for beadwork.

Monofilament
This name refers to any single strand thread as opposed to multi strand. Mono = single, fila = line. Fishing Line is a nylon thread which is very useful, tough, clear and cheap. Tip: Use a surgeons knot to tie ends and a dab of clear nail varnish or glue to secure. Invisible Thread is a hair like nylon thread used in garment construction and is handy for bead work, particularly embroidery. Stretch Nylon Line is just like fishing line only stretchy! No good for fishing but great fun for beading. It’s available in several clear colours, but colourless is the most useful. Makes easy bracelets and necklaces. Stretch is softer than monofilament so glue and nail varnish may actually desolve it. Tip: Use a bit of spit (yep) to secure the surgeons knot.

Others
These days the more modern stretch nylon tends to be used in its stead, but hat elastic is still a handy little stringer. Comes in basic black and white in several thicknesses. Silk or polyester ribbon is a delicate and feminine stringing material. The required width of the ribbon is of course determined by the size of the bead and its hole.

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