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Whether you want to create a bracelet, a coin purse, or another personalized piece, the right bead loom can help make the task easy and fun. You can also opt to hand bead, but the process is more laborious, even for a simple pendant.
Like traditional looms used to weave fabric, bead looms, which are much smaller, use the weft and warp method. The warp threads stay under tension while you add beads to weft threads in rows and columns using a special needle.
Bead looms can be made from wire, plastic, or wood, and some are adjustable so you can create larger pieces that can be displayed as artwork. Novice beaders will also want to be sure their loom has warp separators (usually coils, springs, or notches), which help you keep track of each thread.
Here's are the top bead loom options for crafters of all skill levels.
Best Overall: CLOVER 9910 Beading Loom
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This loom gets high marks for being easy to use and a good investment made of plastic and metal if you're hoping to work up to more complicated projects.
It has two positions: The shorter one works well for making items that are 4.5 inches or less, while the longer one goes up to about 8 inches. You can use the winding beam if you need more length, and two warp-thread spacing options allow you to adjust it for beads of all shapes and sizes.
It has a holder that keeps warp threads down, hooks to keep stitches from popping out, and plastic protectors on the bottom, so the loom doesn't slide around as you're working. The loom comes with a long, slender needle made for beading as well as a threader. Beads and thread are not included.
Best Budget: Cousin Large Traditional Bead Loom Weaving kit
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If you don't want to spend too much on a bead loom, try out this solid option from Cousin to get a feel for the process. The beading space measures 9 by 6 inches, and it also comes with beads, thread, needles, and instructions. If you're trying to make a longer piece, you can roll it over the dowels to keep going. Warp separators help your threads stay organized. It is a larger loom about 15 inches long.
Best for Beginners: Crazy Crow Wire Loom Bead Kit
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At just two inches across, this 18-inch loom's is a great size for beginners. Warp separators were built into the metal frame. By winding your item around wooden rollers, you can make a piece that's up to three feet long. The kit comes with beads, needles, thread, and instructions.
This kit is sold by Crazy Crow Trading Post, a shop in North Texas that was founded in 1970 and is co-owned by a member of the Comanche tribe. Their website has many articles about different aspects of Native American culture, including the history of seed beads.
Best Six-Inch: Creativity Street Bead Loom Kit (Pack of 2)
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This six-inch loom from Creativity Street has a classic wood-and-wire design and comes with thread, needles, and seed beads. These looms are sold in packs of two, which is helpful if you're shopping for two siblings or someone who has multiple projects going at once. It has a work area that measures six inches long and 2.5 inches wide, and the whole loom measures about a foot long so it won't take up too much space in your crafting area.
While bead looms are usually recommended for children aged 13 and older because of their sharp pieces, this loom is safe enough for children ages 8 and up.
Best Wire Frame: The Beadsmith Metal Bead Loom Kit
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Another wire model with wooden rollers, this popular option from Beadsmith is a fixed-width loom that measures a foot long and two inches wide. There are about six inches of weaving space in the middle, but you can opt to wind your beads around the rollers to make a longer creation. The set comes with beads and thread, and you'll also get sample patterns and blank grids to inspire you to create your own design. Fans of this loom like the simple design and its lightweight—only seven ounces.
Best Adjustable Frame: Wandering Bull Ojibwa Bead Loom
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Named for the Ojibwa people (who are known for their elaborate beadwork), this adjustable wooden loom works well for all types of projects. The loom is five inches wide and comes with 18-inch dowels. You can adjust the dowels by loosening the screw eyes, sliding the block in, and moving your beaded strip down and around the loom, giving you enough space for a 40-inch piece. If you want to create a longer piece, you can swap out the dowels for bigger ones; some beaders also cut them to make a shorter bracelet-sized loom.
While you'll need to assemble this wooden loom, the process doesn't involve anything harder than screwing in S-hooks. Wandering Bull is a Native-American-owned family business based in New Hampshire that started in 1969.
Best Portable: Beadalon Baby Jewelry Loom
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If you love to craft on the go, you need this itty-bitty plastic loom in your life. It was designed by crafting maven Julianna Avelar, who is also known for creating its original older sibling, the popular, lightweight Jewel Loom. This mini version weighs around two ounces and fits in the palm of your hand. Some beaders love it for jewelry-making parties. The warp area measures just 2.75 by 5 inches, so it's best for making small-scale projects like bracelets, ring toppers, pouches, and pendants. It's sold on Etsy by Marsha Roberts-Moore (aka BeadingSista), a St.-Louis–based artist who makes jewelry, scarves, and face masks.
Best Wooden: Paul Ricks Loom Kit
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This elegant-looking loom was designed by Paul Ricks, a Colorado-based woodworker and craftsperson. It is easy to set up and has a hassle-free design that only leaves you with two hanging threads at each end. The loom is 13.5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide. It works with beads of all sizes. Beads, thread, and needles must be purchased separately.
We think the Clover 9910 (view at Amazon) is the best bet overall because it's compact, well-designed, and sturdy, and also allows you to create a wide range of different items. But if you're new to beading and don't want to spend too much, the Cousin Weaving Kit (view at Cousin DIY) is simple to use and has everything you need to get started on your first project.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Lexi Dwyer has written about games, toys, and electronics for The Spruce. She first learned about beading when her daughter was given a bracelet-kit with a tiny loom for her birthday.
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