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Deciding what type of cord or thread can be a challenge. As a general guide, if your beads are a soft material bead such as pearls or amber then a silk, polyester or nylon thread will do. If your beads are a hard material such
glass or stone then you might want to use a polyester or nylon beading thread. For metal beads, large beads, rough texture beads or large holed beads you might want to use a strong thread like
Tiger Tail™.
| Needle Type |
Size |
Works Well With |
Suggested Thread / Cord |
Common Uses |
| Plastic Canvas |
13 |
5 Mesh Plastic Canvas |
Worsted Yarn, Heavy Craft Cord |
Large Plastic Canvas Projects |
| Plastic Canvas |
16 |
7 Mesh Plastic Canvas |
Yarn, Pearl Cotton #3-#5 |
Coasters, Magnets, Tissue Covers |
| Plastic Canvas |
18 |
10 Mesh Plastic Canvas |
Pearl Cotton #5, Craft Thread, Fine Yarn |
Ornaments, Bookmarks, Small Projects |
| Tapestry |
18 |
Needlepoint, Plastic Canvas |
Yarn, Pearl Cotton #5 |
Canvas Work, Needlepoint |
| Tapestry |
22 |
Counted Cross Stitch |
4-6 Strands Embroidery Floss |
Cross Stitch, Counted Thread Work |
| Tapestry |
24 |
14 Count Aida |
2-3 Strands Embroidery Floss |
Cross Stitch, Needlework |
| Tapestry |
26 |
16-18 Count Aida |
1-2 Strands Embroidery Floss |
Fine Cross Stitch |
| Chenille |
18 |
Ribbon Embroidery |
Ribbon, Pearl Cotton, Wool |
Ribbon Work, Crewel Embroidery |
| Chenille |
22 |
Embroidery Fabric |
Multiple Strands Floss, Pearl Cotton |
Decorative Embroidery |
| Chenille |
24 |
Fine Embroidery Fabric |
1-3 Strands Embroidery Floss |
Fine Embroidery Details |
| Embroidery |
5 |
Heavy Fabric |
Pearl Cotton, Ribbon, Heavy Floss |
Bold Embroidery Stitches |
| Embroidery |
7 |
General Embroidery |
Up to 6 Strands Embroidery Floss |
Basic Hand Embroidery |
| Embroidery |
9 |
Fine Embroidery |
3-6 Strands Embroidery Floss |
Detailed Embroidery |
| Embroidery |
10 |
Delicate Fabric |
1-3 Strands Embroidery Floss |
Fine Detail Work |
| Beading |
10 |
6/0 - 8/0 Seed Beads |
D, F, Nymo, FireLine |
General Beading |
| Beading |
11 |
8/0 - 11/0 Seed Beads |
B, D, O Beading Thread |
Seed Bead Stitching |
| Beading |
12 |
11/0 Seed Beads |
A, B, O Beading Thread |
Detailed Beadwork |
| Beading |
13 |
11/0 - 15/0 Seed Beads |
A, OO, O Beading Thread |
Fine Seed Bead Work |
| Beading |
15 |
15/0 Seed Beads |
OO, O, Fine Beading Thread |
Very Fine Beadwork |
| Big Eye Needle |
Standard |
Large Hole Beads |
Most Threads, Cords, and Fine Wires |
Easy Threading, Mixed Bead Projects |
| Wire Needle |
Flexible |
Pearls, Gemstones, Small Beads |
Silk, Nylon, Beading Cord |
Stringing Beads and Pearls |
Note: Needle sizes and eye openings may vary by manufacturer.
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