Ask the Experts How to Thread Beading Needles with Ease Q&A

I have a major problem threading a size 10 or 11 beading needle with a wire threader, but need to use a thin needle for peyote stitching with seed beads. I use a Wide Eye needle for loomwork and have great success with it, but the needle is too long for off-loom stitches. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

- Shirley

Threading those thin beading needle holes is tough! There are a few tricks you can try:

• Use sharp scissors to make a clean cut at the end of the thread before you try to place it on the needle
• When threading the needle, don't try to push the thread through the hole first. Instead, hold the thread in your non-dominant hand so that just a tiny portion—about the size of a grain of salt—sticks up between your thumb and forefinger. Place the needle eye on the tip of the thread then slide the thread up through the hole.
• Wax or condition your thread to prevent the end from fraying
• Try a different type of beading thread than the one you're used to. Some claim that Berkley® FireLine® is easier to thread than Nymo®, and vice versa.

If all else fails, go back to the Wide-Eye Needle™. There is a 1-1/2 inch version that works great for off-loom bead weaving.