Complete guide to finding all 25 Spine Cores for the Flexile Spines quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Learn where to find the Seamstress, how to farm Hokers efficiently, and get the game-changing Drifter’s Cloak reward.
Don’t Miss This Game-Changing Side Quest
The Flexile Spines quest is one of Silksong’s most valuable side missions, offering a reward that fundamentally changes how you explore Pharloom. Yet many players completely miss it because the Seamstress is tucked away in an easily overlooked location, and the Spine Core farming method isn’t immediately obvious.
After spending hours perfecting the most efficient route for this quest, I’ll show you exactly how to find the Seamstress, farm all 25 Spine Cores quickly, and unlock the incredible Drifter’s Cloak that makes traversing Silksong’s world significantly easier.
Why This Quest Should Be Your Priority
The Drifter’s Cloak Changes Everything
Before diving into the how-to, understand what you’re working toward. The Drifter’s Cloak isn’t just another collectible – it’s a mobility game-changer that provides:
- Wind current riding for reaching previously inaccessible areas
- Controlled gliding for safer platforming and exploration
- New traversal routes that open up shortcuts across Pharloom
- Quality-of-life improvement that makes the entire game more enjoyable
Strategic timing: This quest becomes available relatively early but provides benefits throughout your entire playthrough. Prioritizing it early pays dividends for dozens of hours of exploration.
Also Read: Your First 2 Hours in Hollow Knight: Silksong – Essential Beginner’s Roadmap
Step 1: Finding the Seamstress (Far Fields Location)
Navigate to the Hidden Balloon Home
The Seamstress lives in one of Silksong’s most cleverly hidden locations. Many players explore the Far Fields extensively without ever finding her balloon-shaped home.
Detailed navigation route:
- Enter the Far Fields from your preferred access point
- Take the lower route through the area (don’t climb immediately)
- Continue until you reach the large open area – this is your landmark
- Look for upward paths leading to higher elevations
- Search for the distinctive balloon-like structure – it’s organic and rounded, unlike typical cave formations
Visual cue: The Seamstress’s home looks like an inflated, organic balloon attached to the cave system. It’s easy to mistake for background decoration if you’re not specifically looking for it.
Navigation tip: If you’re having trouble finding the vertical path, explore the edges of the large open area systematically. The route upward isn’t always obvious from the main pathway.
Triggering the Quest
Once inside the balloon home:
- Interact with the Seamstress to initiate dialogue
- Accept the Flexile Spines quest when prompted
- Note the objective: Collect 25 Spine Cores from Hoker enemies
- Mental bookmark this location – you’ll return here with your collection
Step 2: Understanding Hoker Enemies and Spine Core Mechanics
The Hoker Enemy Behavior System
Hokers are the floating, spiky enemies that produce Spine Cores, but the collection method is counterintuitive and not explained anywhere in-game.
Critical mechanics most players miss:
- Don’t kill Hokers – this prevents Spine Core drops
- Attack until they shoot spines – this is the trigger you’re looking for
- Hokers float in the air – requiring specific attack strategies
- Spines land on terrain – creating collectible orbs when hit
Proper Spine Core Farming Technique
Step-by-step farming method:
- Locate a Hoker enemy (floating, spiky appearance)
- Position yourself either on a nearby ledge or below the enemy
- Attack the Hoker repeatedly but don’t deliver killing blows
- Watch for the spine-shooting animation – Hokers will launch spikes when damaged enough
- Find the spines embedded in nearby terrain (walls, floors, platforms)
- Hit each spine with your Needle to create glowing orb drops
- Collect the orbs to gain Spine Cores
Attack positioning strategies:
- From ledges: Jump from nearby platforms and strike downward
- From below: Use upward attacks (jump + up direction + attack button)
- Timing consideration: Multiple hits may be required before Hokers release spines
Step 3: Efficient Spine Core Farming Locations
Primary Farming Area (East of Seamstress)
The most efficient Spine Core farming happens in the area directly east of the Seamstress’s location. This proximity makes the quest much more manageable than hunting across multiple zones.
Why this area is optimal:
- High Hoker density – multiple enemies in close proximity
- Easy terrain navigation – good platforming for attacking floating enemies
- Quick respawn access – short travel time for enemy resets
- Convenient return route to the Seamstress for quest completion
Respawn Strategy for Additional Cores
If you don’t collect all 25 Spine Cores in your first farming session:
- Leave the Far Fields area completely – exit to a different zone
- Wait a moment or explore briefly in the new area
- Return to the Far Fields – Hokers will have respawned
- Repeat the farming process until you reach 25 total Spine Cores
Efficiency tip: Track your progress mentally or on paper. 25 Spine Cores sounds like a lot, but with efficient farming, most players complete this in 15-20 minutes.
Step 4: Quest Completion and Reward
Returning to the Seamstress
Once you’ve collected all 25 Spine Cores:
- Navigate back to the balloon home in the Far Fields
- Interact with the Seamstress to turn in your collection
- Receive the Drifter’s Cloak as your reward
- Equip the cloak at the next available bench
Using Your New Drifter’s Cloak
The Drifter’s Cloak fundamentally changes Silksong’s traversal mechanics:
Wind current riding:
- Look for visible wind streams throughout Pharloom
- Jump into wind currents while wearing the cloak
- Ride the currents to reach previously inaccessible areas
Controlled gliding:
- Hold the glide input while falling for slower, controlled descent
- Cover horizontal distances that were impossible before
- Reach distant platforms with improved precision
Exploration applications:
- Discover new secret areas accessible only via wind currents
- Create new shortcut routes across familiar areas
- Safer platforming in challenging vertical sections
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Farming Errors That Waste Time
Don’t kill Hokers immediately – This is the #1 mistake players make. Dead Hokers drop no Spine Cores.
Don’t ignore spine positioning – Spines can embed anywhere the Hoker is facing when it shoots. Check walls, ceilings, and platforms systematically.
Don’t forget to hit embedded spines – The spines themselves must be struck with your Needle to create the collectible orbs.
Navigation and Quest Management
Don’t lose track of your progress – 25 Spine Cores is easy to lose count of during extended farming sessions.
Don’t skip the respawn mechanic – If you’re short on cores, leaving and returning is much more efficient than searching new areas.
Don’t forget to equip the Drifter’s Cloak – The reward requires bench equipment like other Tools in Silksong.
Advanced Tips for Efficient Completion
Optimal Farming Rhythm
Develop a systematic approach:
- Clear an area of all visible Hokers using the spine-shooting method
- Systematically check all surfaces for embedded spines
- Collect all orbs before moving to the next section
- Track your total and reset the area if needed
Combat Efficiency
Damage control techniques:
- Hit Hokers just enough to trigger spine-shooting behavior
- Don’t overcommit to attacks that might accidentally kill them
- Use positioning rather than rapid attacks to control damage output
Time Management Strategy
Complete this quest early in your Silksong playthrough. The Drifter’s Cloak provides value throughout the entire game, making it one of the highest return-on-investment side quests available.
Related: 7 Game-Changing Tips Every Hollow Knight: Silksong Beginner Needs to Know
Your Path to Enhanced Exploration
The Flexile Spines quest represents everything great about Silksong’s side content – hidden NPCs, unique mechanics, and meaningful rewards that enhance your core experience. The 25 Spine Cores might seem daunting, but with the right approach, you’ll complete this quest efficiently and unlock one of the game’s most valuable traversal tools.
Quick completion checklist:
- ✅ Find the Seamstress in her balloon home (Far Fields)
- ✅ Accept the Flexile Spines quest (25 Spine Cores needed)
- ✅ Farm Hokers east of the Seamstress location
- ✅ Attack Hokers until they shoot spines (don’t kill them)
- ✅ Hit embedded spines to create collectible orbs
- ✅ Collect 25 Spine Cores total (use respawn if needed)
- ✅ Return to Seamstress for the Drifter’s Cloak reward
- ✅ Equip at next bench and enjoy enhanced exploration
The wind currents and gliding capabilities of Pharloom are now yours to master. Happy exploring!
Related: Can’t Download Hollow Knight: Silksong? Here’s How to Actually Get the Game
Official Game: Hollow Knight Silksong Official Game Link
Steam: Hollow Knight Silksong Steam Link
Nintendo: Hollow Knight Silksong Nintendo Link
Play Station: Hollow Knight Silksong Playstation Link
