Buying Guide for Beading Needles
The English beading needles are long thin flexible needles that can accommodate even the tiniest of seed beads. They are the most commonly used type of beading needle. The beads can be used for both loom and off-loom beadwork, including peyote, brick stitch, herringbone, netting, and others. You can check out Amazon for some of the exclusive selections of beading needles available at great prices.
Benefits of Beading Needles
Flexible
Beading needles are essential tools for bead weaving and other beading projects. These needles look like regular sewing needles, but are more flexible, thinner, and have smaller eyes.
Versatile
Beading needles of this type are most commonly used. Beading stitches can be performed on looms as well as off looms, including peyote, brick stitch, herringbone, netting, etc.
Different Types to Choose From
The diameter and length of a needle indicate its fineness and length. They are sized from 10-15, where 10 is thicker than 15 - needles with higher numbers are finer. The needle sizes that are typically used are 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 (both are really fine for looping back through beads multiple times).
Sharp
Glove needles are tough, with sharp triangular tips that penetrate leather easily. The needles are typically used to attach seed beads to leather and come in a range of sizes similar to English needles.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Beading Needles
Choosing Short Needles for Intricate Work
Short beading needles are the same as the standard English beading needles, just shorter in length making them useful for more intricate beading work and for getting into tighter areas.
Use Big Needles for Thick Beads
Big eye needles have an eye that runs all the way down the length of the needle making them really useful if regular thread changes are required and for use with slightly thicker beading threads. They are made from high tensile wire making them really flexible. We stock Beadsmith long and short big eye needles in packs of 4.
Curved Beading Needles
Curved beading needles have a large eye often running the full length of the shaft making threading much easier They are curved in the center and are really useful for working with tight, uneven surfaces.
Select the Right Size and Type
Beading needles of the right size and type can reduce the likelihood of broken beads and make the process more enjoyable. A smaller number represents a larger needle. Size 10 beading needles are thicker than size 13 ones, for example.
Conclusion
If you are going to complete multiple threads passes through the beads, you need to select the size of the needle accordingly. To make life easier and avoid ruining your beadwork, use a thinner needle such as a size 12 when working with 15/0 seed beads or pearls. To know your buying choices, head over to our featured section. We review and recommend leading products based on design, thickness, and ease of use.
