How to Weave Beads of Different Sizes on a Loom: Tips from My Personal Experience

If you want to see this topic in action with real examples, you can watch the full video on my YouTube channel here: Watch on YouTube.

Hello and welcome to my blog! Today I want to share some practical advice for everyone who loves loom beading, especially if you ever wondered what to do when you want to use beads that are larger than usual. Should you change parts of your bead loom? How can you keep your loom universal for different bead sizes? And most importantly — how do you keep your final piece neat and even?

This idea came directly from one of my wonderful customers in Greece, who ordered a loom from my shop. They asked if it’s possible to adjust the loom threading or parts when using bigger beads — and that inspired me to film a video and write this post for you!

For loom beading, the most common beads are Japanese Delica size 11, Czech Preciosa size 10, and sometimes larger ones like size 8 or even size 6. They might look similar but they behave differently on a loom.

When choosing or building a loom, always pick rounded threading — this prevents threads from cutting and breaking while you weave. Sharp metal grooves can damage your warp threads. Always feel the threading with your fingers or test with a spare thread.

Before you start, place your beads on a needle and measure them against the grooves. This helps you see if you should place threads in each groove or skip one to make wider spacing for bigger beads.

Personally, I like my warp threads slightly wider than the bead size. I secure the first row with a knot, pull the threads to adjust the spacing perfectly, and fix the tension with another knot to keep the threads tight. I always start weaving a few rows away from the metal part — this gives me enough room to tighten the warp threads properly.

If you pull the first row too tight, the beads might curve or overlap. If you space the warp threads too wide for very large beads like size 6, the rows can shift or look uneven once you remove the piece from the loom. Always follow a clear sequence: for example, thread-space-thread-space. Random spacing can make rows uneven.

To keep your first row straight, insert a needle through it while weaving. This small trick holds your beads in place and prevents the row from sliding while you finish the next ones.

I hope this gives you a clear idea of how I personally work with larger beads on a loom. These tips come from real practice and years of testing what works best for me — and now for you too!

If you’d like, check out my shop for handmade bead looms and beading kits — it’s a family business, and I’m always happy to help my customers personally.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to share your own tips in the comments below. Happy loom beading! 🌟