How to Transfer Beads From Hank to Thread

Transferring Hank Beads With a Needle

1). Carefully untie the main knot, freeing the ends of each string in the hank. Be sure to hold the ends of the strings so as to prevent the beads from falling off the ends.
2). Tape the free ends on either end of the strings to keep the beads from sliding off. Use a tape that doesn't leave a lot of adhesive residue, which could make transferring the beads difficult.
3). Thread your pearl cotton or other beading thread into a twisted wire needle or a beading needle that is small enough to fit through the hole in the beads.
4). Free one end of one of the strings of beads from the tape, working carefully so that you do not inadvertently pull out the other bead strings.
5). Slide the needle through the beads on the string in a row and push them onto the beading thread. Pull the hank string out and repeat the above steps until you have transferred all of the beads.

1). Untie the main knot of the hank and secure the free ends of the strings with tape as before.
2). Free one string of beads from the tape as before and tie a knot with a small loop at the end of the string, such as a square knot. Do not tie a slip knot that will come undone easily. Do not fully tighten the knot.
3). Slip the end of your pearl cotton or other beading thread through the loop on the hank string, pulling until you have gotten at least 2 inches through.
4). Fold the short end back over onto the long end of the beading thread and tighten the knot on the hank string so that the two strings are linked together.
5). Slide the beads from the hank string over the knot and onto the beading thread. Slip the end of the beading thread out of the knot in the hank and remove the hank string. Repeat until all of the beads are transferred.