Hollow Knight: Silksong – Flexile Spines Quest & All Spine Core Locations

Find all 25 Spine Cores in Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Flexile Spines quest with this complete guide — including Seamstress location and step-by-step tips.

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Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Flexile Spines Side Quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong

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 the Flexile Spines Quest Should Be Your Early-Game 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: How to Find the Seamstress in Far Fields (Quest Start 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 Collection 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: Best Farming Spots for All 25 Spine Cores

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: Completing the Flexile Spines Quest and Claiming Your 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 Players Make During the Flexile Spines Quest

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 to Finish the Quest Faster and More Efficiently

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.

How This Quest Boosts Exploration and Unlocks New Opportunities

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!

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

Xbox: Hollow Knight Silksong Xbox Link

Flexile Spines Quest – All 25 Spine Core Locations in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Flexile Spines Side Quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong