Basic Threads vs. Hybrid Cable Threads

Nymo, C-Lon, and ONE-G threads are basic beading threads. These threads are like very thin long ribbons. The ribbons are made up of long strands of fibers. The ribbons fray easily, so you always wax your thread, even if the product says "pre-waxed'.

FireLine, C-Thru-B, and Spiderwire, are used like threads, but they are really what we call a hybrid cable thread. These are a hybrid between threads and cable wires. These are threads that are braided together and encased in a nylon coating. (Cable wires are wires that are braided together and encased in nylon).

These products get their strength from the integrity of the nylon sheathing which prevents the twisted threads from unraveling.   As soon as that integrity is compromised, the twisted threads will fray and break very easily.    You can compromise this integrity by piercing the existing thread with your needle while weaving, or when the nylon sheathing comes into contact with a substance that will dissolve it, such as perfume oils and some body chemicals found in some people's sweat.

You don't have to wax these, but waxing will protect the nylon sheathing from the adverse affects from perfume oils, cosmetics and body chemistry. These hybrid cable threads are not meant to show in your piece.

If you want the stringing material to show in your piece, you would typically use what is called a Bead Cord. Here you might be putting knots between beads, or doing something like a tin-cup necklace, where you have a cluster of beads, and the cord shows, another cluster, cord showing, etc.