[Serenity]

I’d like to share my first experience with Power Pro beading thread. I used the .009”, 20 lb. test, with some 9.5-10mm, baroque, commercial quality pearls.

The first thing I noticed is that it feels different from silk – very different. It isn’t soft and supple but kind of wiry, and I didn’t like the way it handled. While I was knotting, I was muttering to myself and cursing Caitlin for recommending this awful thread. I couldn’t understand how anything as wiry as Power Pro could possibly drape nicely. Well, I was wrong. It drapes beautifully! Someone in the forum mentioned that the drape is not as nice on smaller pearls, and that’s probably quite true, but I’ve ordered some .006”, 10 lb. test, to try it for myself on small pearls.

I’m sure it will take a bit of getting used to the way it handles but it’s worth the perseverance. The knots are snug up against the pearls where they belong. I made the necklace a few weeks ago and the knots haven’t budged. I can’t say the same for the 9-9.5mm rounds I strung on silk at about the same time. They’re the reason I tried Power Pro.

I’m a Power Pro convert. I will never doubt Caitlin’s expertise again. You’re my guru of all things beading, Caitlin.

Serenity

[Caitlin]

Thanks Serenity--How flattering! But I am not a guru at all, really I'm just a lowly beader who isn't afraid to go against common wisdom and/or common practice. I need to find out for myself. Heavy pearls sent me on the search for powerpro too. But now I have it in all sizes in white and moss green. It has never let me down yet.

I read somewhere that Dandyline by Beadalon is the "same" as prower pro, so I got some of that too. I think they are both made of spectra. It is silkier than Powerpro to use, but it needs waxing because it is very easy to tangle. It comes in white and a dark silvery gray. I only use it if I am out of powerpro.

When I first started as a beader back in the 60's, I used monofiliment fishing line to string necklaces! Then I started trying everything they had in bead shops When I first started knotting, also in the 60's, I stuck with silk- even though it stretched easily. Then I found powerpro and now use it for every bead stringing job. I took my hubby's "love beads" from the 60's off the monofiliment fishing line and restrung it with powerpro. I love it. If and when it needs restringing again (he wears it a lot) I will do it with powerpro--unless something better comes along.

I am not sure what constitutes "drape" in a pearl necklace. Most 15"-19" necklaces do not need drape when worn anyway. I just put up a photo of a 60" pearl rope a few days ago- probably in the Silk Challenge. It has the same flexibility in the curves as silk, but I think it will take much longer than silk to need reknotting.

[Nerida]

Look, I am probably the most inexperienced "knotter" here - I have tried both silk and powerpro. I love the feel of the silk when I am working with it, but not so happy with the end result (probs just my inexperience). Powerpro felt harsh to work with, but I loved the end result - better knots, better placed knots, and I think more durability to the finished piece.... just very much MHO, and I will try silk again (maybe using Sheri's method of 4 threads... not sure yet) but I used the 10lb powerpro and certainly will continue with it.