# How to Use a Bead Threader to String Small-Hole Beads Source: https://beadingnest.com/blog/how-to-use-a-bead-threader Published: 2026-10-23 Publisher: Beading Nest A bead threader is a thin, flexible wire loop, often attached to a handle, that you pass through a bead hole to pull cord or thread behind it. To use one, slip the cord through the loop, push the pointed end of the wire through the bead and draw the loop out the other side. It is useful when the cord end is too soft, too thick or too floppy to push through the hole. ## What a bead threader does and when it helps A threader works like a needle with a collapsible eye. The wire is thin enough to enter small holes, and the loop folds flat when it passes through the bead. This lets you pull stretchy cord, soft thread or several strands through holes that would otherwise stop a limp cord end. It is also useful when a needle will not reach, such as when stringing a bead onto a strand that is already attached at both ends. Threaders do not fix every problem. Beads with very narrow holes may still refuse the wire, and sharp or rough hole edges can fray thread however you pull it. For a long strand of seed beads, a flexible needle or a bead spinner is far faster. A threader earns its place on mixed projects with elastic cord, silk, leather or tapered ends where stiffness varies. ## Step-by-step: loading and pulling the cord through Start by checking that the loop is wide enough for your cord. Open it, slide the cord end through and fold the cord back about an inch so it holds firmly. Squeeze the loop slightly closed on the cord. Trim the end flat or at a slight angle, since a clean cut passes through the loop more neatly than a frayed one. Hold the bead in one hand and push the pointed end of the threader through the hole, pinching gently so the loop stays narrow. Keep the wire straight in line with the hole to avoid kinking the loop. When the loop appears on the far side, pull it all the way out, and the cord follows behind. Slide the bead along the cord, then release the loop by opening it. Do not tug sideways, because it bends the thin wire and shortens the tool's life. For a string of beads of the same size, pick up several beads onto the wire before you pull. The loop holds more beads when they are small and the wire is long enough. It stays easier on the cord than pulling one bead at a time, and speeds up the work. ## Using a threader with elastic cord and soft cord Stretch cord is the most common reason to buy a threader. Elastic has no stiffness, so pushing its end through a bead is a fight. Loading it in the loop converts the problem to a pull, which is easier on small or glass beads. Our guide to elastic cord for stretch bracelets covers the sizes that suit different hole diameters, and the article on elastic bracelets that last shows the knot to tie after stringing. Cord that ends in a soft braid, such as silk or leather lace, also benefits. Take care with leather: its thickness can strain the loop, so choose a cord size matched to the bead holes. If the cord is too thick for the loop, a dab of glue on the end, left to dry stiff, gives a sturdy tip that needs no threader. Cut the stiffened tip off once the beads are on. [See elastic cord options](https://beadingnest.com/best/best-elastic-bracelet-cord) ## Threader, needle or spinner: choosing the right tool A beading needle suits fine thread and tiny seed beads, where the needle shaft is thinner than the cord. Compare options in our beading needles guide. A twisted wire needle is similar to a threader and often handles a few more beads at once, but it is thinner and bends easily. A bead spinner lets you load many seed beads at once by spinning the bowl with a needle held in the beads. It is the fastest of the three for long strands, as covered in our bead spinner guide. As a rule, use a spinner for hundreds of seed beads, a needle for most thread work and a threader for stretch cord, soft cord and one-off stringing. If your bead holes are 1 mm or less, test the wire first on one bead. If the loop will not go through, switch to a thinner needle or a different bead. Hole size varies a good deal among beads of the same nominal size. ## Care, common mistakes and quick fixes The wire is thin, and most damage comes from bending it sharply or pulling on the loop when a bead is stuck. If a bead jams, back the wire out gently and check the hole for a burr or a plugged end. Straighten a bent loop with your fingers, not pliers, and replace the threader when the wire is kinked in several places. A threader loop that is too tight pinches the cord and may cut thin thread. One that is too loose slips off and drops the beads. Adjust the loop for each cord size before you start. Store the tool in a case or tube, away from heavy items, so the wire stays straight. ## Frequently asked questions What is a bead threader used for? It pulls cord, elastic or thread through small bead holes by carrying the cord through in a collapsible wire loop. It is most useful for stretch cord and soft cord that cannot be pushed through a bead. Is a bead threader the same as a big eye needle? They are similar. Both have a long open eye that collapses to pass through a bead. A threader usually has a handle or a larger loop, while a big eye needle is a single long wire with an eye in the middle. Can I use a bead threader for seed beads? You can for a few beads, but a beading needle or a bead spinner is faster for long strands. Many seed beads have holes too small for a loop that holds thick cord. How do I thread a bead with a hole that is too small? Try a thinner needle, a tapered and glued cord tip, or a different bead. Do not force the wire, which bends it and can crack the bead. ## Related buying guides - https://beadingnest.com/best/best-bead-spinners - https://beadingnest.com/best/best-beading-needles - https://beadingnest.com/best/best-elastic-bracelet-cord