Essential Tools for Restringing Your BJD
If you’ve met me as part of the ball jointed doll (BJD) community, you probably know by now: I’ll jump at any excuse to restring a doll. Call me obsessed, but hey, we all have our thing, right? Over the years, I’ve tested out a bunch of tools and nailed down my favorite favorites—there’s only 3 (including elastic, of course)!
Fair warning: these might not be the holy grail for everyone, but they’re affordable, effective, and, well, they easily get the job done. (Cue celebratory jazz hands!)
I’ll also share a few tools that others swear by but just don’t make the cut for me—and I’ll explain why they didn’t win me over.
Must-have Supplies
3. Rat tail/Nylon cord
Some people swear by ribbon, but I’m all about rat tail or nylon cord (same thing, just a different name). It’s strong, easy to grip, and—bonus—it doesn’t dig into my hands like ribbon does.
Rat tail comes in various sizes, but for dolls, I recommend 1.5mm or 2mm. Why? Because it needs to fit through those pesky stringing channels when folded in half. And lucky for us, these sizes are usually the cheapest. Win-win!
Some options for you:
2. Pipe Cleaners
Yes, pipe cleaners—the unsung heroes of the doll-restringing world. While most people think of them as kids’ craft supplies, I promise they’re a game-changer. They’re soft enough not to slice into your hands like wire might, slim enough to glide through most stringing channels, and flexible enough to customize the length however you need.
Here’s my go-to technique: I fold a pipe cleaner in half, hook it through the elastic loop, and guide it through each limb or piece one at a time. Occasionally, for larger dolls (think towering 70+cm boys), the half-length won’t quite cut it. In those cases, I’ll fold just a small section over—like 1/4 or less—and twist the short end around the longer part to extend it. Voilà, problem solved!
1. Elastic!
No surprise here—elastic is the number 1 supply!
The elastic I’ve used the most and swear by the elastic from Cool Cat. Their site can be a bit difficult to navigate so here’s the direct link to the elastic section.
I’ve been using this elastic in all of my dolls for at least 15 years. The quality is excellent and consistent.
I have recently also tested out some 3mm elastic from Amazon, and I’m fairly impressed with this as well. I haven’t found a good source for the other sizes, but if you need 3mm – this is a decent option that arrives quickly!
Supplies Others Swear By
5. Ribbon or Yarn
At first glance, ribbon or yarn might seem interchangeable with rat tail or nylon cord—but trust me, they’re not. While I’ve dabbled with ribbon in the past, nylon cord wins every time.
Yarn, in particular, is a no-go. It’s notorious for causing friction burns or even slicing into your hands, especially if your doll is tightly strung. (Ouch!)
If ribbon is all you’ve got, make sure it’s satin ribbon—not gift wrap or organza ribbon. Satin is much smoother and less likely to fray or cause burns. Stick to 1/4″ or 3/8″ widths, as smaller ribbons, like 1/8″, can be just as hand-unfriendly as yarn. Save yourself the pain and choose wisely!
4. Crochet Hook
As a fiber artist, I’ve got a ton of crochet hooks lying around. But when it comes to restringing? Meh.
Some people use them as makeshift string pullers by hooking elastic and pulling it through. Personally, I’ve never had much success with this method.
That said, crochet hooks can come in handy for holding elastic in place, similar to wooden sticks or chopsticks. If that works for you, go for it—but for me, they’re more “nice to have” than essential.
3. Wooden Stick/Chopsticks
Speaking of holding elastic in place, wooden sticks or chopsticks can do the job. But honestly, I’ve never needed a dedicated tool for this. Nylon cord and pipe cleaners get the job done just fine. Save the chopsticks for sushi night!
2. String Puller
Some doll companies (looking at you, Volks, Luts, and Dollmore) sell string pullers specifically for threading elastic through multiple pieces, like shoulder-to-wrist or thigh-to-ankle. Sounds amazing in theory, right? In practice, though, they’re a bit more hassle than they’re worth.
Don’t get me wrong—they’re cool! But they’re far from a must-have in my book.
1. Hemostats/Forceps
Okay, here’s the big one: hemostats. I know so, so, so many people swear by them. And, well… I’m just not one of those people.
My main gripe? I’m left-handed, and most hemostats are set up to lock and unlock more naturally for righties. (The struggle is real.)
That said, if you want to give them a shot, they can be super helpful for holding elastic at the wrist or ankle while attaching hands and feet. Just know they might take some getting used to—especially if you’re a fellow lefty.
Wrapping It Up
And there you have it—my go-to tools, the ones I skip, and a few tips to make your doll-restringing adventures as smooth as possible (literally and figuratively). Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, having the right tools can make all the difference.
Now I’m curious—what’s your favorite tool for restringing dolls? Do you have a go-to hack or an unexpected item you swear by? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your take!