https://youtu.be/WDYi26PxU2wNo other form of ornamentation gives your cross-stitch project quite the same magic as beads. Those tiny little dots of glass add something special that just cannot be found elsewhere. It is likely that most of the projects you complete in your lifetime will not have beads, so for those that do, my advice is to give the beading process the time and effort it deserves in order to produce something truly spectacular!

Mill Hill Beads

Most of the beads used in cross-stitch are sold by a single company: Mill Hill in the USA. Mill Hill beads are mostly made in Japan and are of such fine quality that nothing really compares. These are not the plastic beads with which you may have made bracelets as a child. Mill Hill beads are fine glass beads and if you have never before used glass beads or seen how they catch the light, you are in for a real treat!

Types of Beads

The types of beads most commonly used in cross-stitch are as follows:

Seed Beads

These small round beads are probably the most common type of bead used in cross-stitch. 
The most popular size is size 11 (2.5mm diameter)

Bugle Beads

These cylindrical beads are 2.5mm in diameter and the most commonly used lengths in cross-stitch are 6mm and 9mm. 

Magnifica Beads

Though most commonly used in bead-weaving, Magnifica beads are sometimes called for in cross-stitch. 

Pony Beads

Pony beads are slightly larger than seed beads and the most common sizes called for in cross-sttich are 8/0 and 6/0. They are also used in knitting and crochet.

Pebble Beads

Pebble beads are larger than pony beads at 5.5mm in diameter (size 3/0).

Treasures and Charms

Sometimes a chart will call for even more embellishment in the form of charms or ‘treasures’ as Mill Hill like to call them. These can take the form of just about anything, from flowers to snowflakes, and often only one or two is called for per design. 

Attaching Beads

Thread

Some people prefer to attach the beads to their cross-stitch using a single strand of cotton thread in a similar colour to the fabric. I prefer to use a nylon thread, such as Nymo, which is sold specifically for use with beads. 

Needle

While some beads can be attached using a size 28 tapestry needle, others will require you to use a special beading needle which is finer than the standard tapestry needle we use for our stitching. These needles are flexible and more prone to snapping or bending than a standard needle so I would not recommend you use them for anything other than beading.