Ask the Experts Needles Q&A

What needle should I use for my seed bead project?

When you first start working with a beading needle and thread, using a larger needle will give you an easier time of threading, as the eye will also be bigger. 

However, if you're working with smaller seed beads, like size 11 or 15, and if you need to pass your needle and thread through the seed beads several times, you may find you can start your project with a larger needle, but that as you go along and the beads begin to fill up with thread, you need to switch to a thinner needle.

There are a lot of needle sizes to choose from, as well as many types of needles. The most important thing to note is that you want to choose a needle designated for beading. The end of the needle near the eye is the same thickness as the needle itself (the needle eventually tapers to a point but it doesn't get wider at the end as other styles of needles do).

 There are several types of beading needles, and the type you choose depends on the beads (or the seed beads in this case) that you're using, as well as the type of project you're working on. Personal preference eventually comes into play as well.

It's good to note that a #10 English beading needle is thicker than a #13 English beading needle (my personal favorites).

- Tammy Honaman