{"id":1665,"date":"2015-09-20T14:04:11","date_gmt":"2015-09-20T14:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"\/site\/?p=1665"},"modified":"2026-10-31T16:55:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T16:55:56","slug":"craft-focus-selecting-needles-thread","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crazycrow.com\/site\/craft-focus-selecting-needles-thread\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting Needles & Thread for Craft Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Selecting<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
SHOP NOW<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/div>
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\"Selecting<\/span><\/div>
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Selecting the Right Needles &
\nThread for Your Craft Project<\/h1>\n

By Crazy Crow Trading Post ~ July 20, 2011<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Selecting the Right Needles &
\nThread for Your Craft Project<\/h1>\n

By Crazy Crow Trading Post ~ July 20, 2011<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Needles & Thread for Beading<\/h2>\n

Needle sizes are like bead sizes; the larger the number the smaller the size. A #10 needle can be used with 10\/0 beads, a #11 with 11\/0, and so on. The #12 Sharps and #15 Beading needles are the smallest sizes available so they are best for 14\/0 to 16\/0 beads. However, some beads may have holes that are too small even for these needles.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Choosing Thread & Needles for Different Beading Techniques:<\/strong> The best thread and needle sizes depend not only on bead size, but also on the beadwork technique being used. Gourd (peyote) stitch, brick stitch, and many other off-loom techniques require the needle and thread to pass through the same beads multiple times. Loomwork also requires sufficient room for the weft thread to pass through the beads as the rows are woven. Fine thread is especially important when working with small-holed Czech cut seed beads. In lazy stitch, the thread generally passes through each bead only once as the beads are sewn down in rows, allowing the use of a somewhat heavier thread to help produce the characteristic raised “humps” of this beadwork style.<\/p>\n

Nymo Nylon Thread:<\/strong> Nymo is an excellent choice for gourd stitch, brick stitch, earrings, lazy stitch, bead applique, and weft threads in loomwork. Our new Size 00 is the finest Nymo thread we offer and is particularly useful for intricate work with 13\/0 and smaller seed beads, including beaded fan handles, Straight Dance sticks, and detailed belt buckles. Size A is another fine-thread option, while Sizes B, D, and F provide progressively heavier choices for larger beads and other craft applications. The appropriate size depends on bead-hole diameter, needle size, and the number of thread passes required.<\/p>\n

Warp Threads & Thread Preparation:<\/strong> For bead loom warp threads, cotton is generally recommended because it stretches less than nylon. Quilting thread is commonly used for 12\/0 and smaller seed beads, while heavier Button & Carpet thread is suitable for many 10\/0 and 11\/0 bead projects. Nymo can also be used for warp threads, but should be pre-stretched before starting. Pre-stretching Nymo is also helpful for off-loom beadwork, including gourd and lazy stitch. Applying beeswax or a suitable thread conditioner helps reduce tangling and fraying and improves handling during beadwork.<\/p>\n

NOTE: Size 15B needles come in packs of 4; 12B (3″ long) in packs of 10; all others are in packs of 25.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Size 16B needles are no longer available. The smallest size now is 15B.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Beading Needles<\/h2>\n

These long thin needles are used primarily for loomwork, but also work quite well for gourd stitch and beaded earrings. Needle size indicates the smallest bead size for which that needle is intended; however, a smaller size needle is used when it must pass through the bead twice as in gourd stitch, loomwork, or earrings.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Nymo<\/span><\/div>

Nymo & Cotton Thread Bobbins, Spools & Cones<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Be Sure to Get the Right Thread for Your Project<\/h2>\n

Nymo Thread Use by Size<\/h3>\n