BEADING NEEDLES

These are all the needles that we've found most useful for doing our own on and off loom techniques.

TULIP® GOLD EYE BEADING NEEDLES, made in Japan
These new needles with the gold-plated eye are extremely popular. Many needles have a slight burr on one side of the eye, which can make threading difficult. The gold plating covers any burrs and smooths the eye, making the needle easier to thread, and the eye easier to see, as well. The tip is slightly blunted, making it less likely to split your thread. The needles come in a glass tube.

ASSORTED Sizes BEADING NEEDLES
At last, you don't have to buy an entire package of each size! This assortment contains 2 size 10°, 1 size 12° and 1 size 13° beading needles.

Size 10° BEADING NEEDLES
Now you have 3 options in size 10° beading needles: normal, short, and tapestry point. The tapestry point isn't as sharp as a normal needle point, so you're not as likely to pierce your thread. Use size 10°'s for modern beads size 10° through size 12°. Not recommended for antique beads unless they have large holes.

Size 10° CURVED BEADING NEEDLES
These half-circle needles are invaluable for getting under threads in 3-dimensional beadwork.

Size 11° BEADING NEEDLES
At last, a size in between 10° and 12°. When a size 10° needle is too big, and you just can't face threading that size 12°.

Size 12° BEADING NEEDLES
There are 3 options in size 12° beading needles: normal, short, and tapestry point. The tapestry point isn't as sharp as a normal needle point, so you're not as likely to pierce your thread. Use size 12° 's with modern beads size 10° through size 14°. Not recommended for antique beads smaller than size 12°. Note that normal Size 12° needles come in both a 4-pack and a 25-pack.

Size 12° EXTRA LONG BEADING NEEDLES
These needles are 3" long, to make loom beading a snap! These needles really facilitate loom weaving, but be careful! They make weaving so easy and fast that there's a tendency to pass below warp threads on your return trip through each row. So, make sure your good beading light is shining on the work and WATCH FOR THE GLINT OF THE NEEDLE as it passes over the warps.

"PONY" brand BEADING NEEDLES
These needles from India are quite popular. They are stiffer than our English beading needles, and will break before they bend. If you like a stiff needle, these are for you. And, the price is certainly right!

Extra-Long "PONY" brand BEADING NEEDLES
These needles are stiff enough to use for weaving or stringing.

Size 13° BEADING NEEDLES
For modern beads size 10° through 14° and vintage size 13°. This is a good, all-purpose needle for most every thing except tiny antique beads, size 16° and smaller.

Size 15° BEADING NEEDLES
For vintage size 14° through 24°. We have personally tested these and they are equivalent to size 16° in performance. However, they seem more brittle, and break more easily than the 16°'s. Many people like them because they are a little stiffer than the size 16°'s.

Size 16° BEADING NEEDLES
These are the best needles to use with vintage beads size 14° through 24°. They are more flexible than the size 15°'s, so they don't break as easily, but they do bend. Size 16° needles are also invaluable for getting back through a bead, of any size, that is too tightly packed with threads for your other beading needles. Remember, trying to force a needle through a bead is a good way to break it! These needles are Virginia's personal favorites.