YOU CAN BUY READY-MADE PICKLING SPICE FROM a variety of outlets and manufacturers and many of them are excellent. I like to mix my own so that I can customize the blend of flavors. As you spend some time making and eating your pickles, you can adjust the amounts to please your palate. The proportions I particularly like are listed below. However, if making your own pickling spice feels like a daunting task, feel free to use a pre-blended mix. I like the one that Penzeys Spices (penzeys.com) makes.
3 tablespoons crushed bay leaves
3 tablespoons black peppercorns
3 tablespoons whole allspice
3 tablespoons coriander seeds
3 tablespoons mustard seeds
3 tablespoons juniper berries
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon dill seed
1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
Pour all the spices into a jar, seal, and shake to combine. Use any time a mixed pickling spice is called for.