Beading Needles----------------------------
Beading needles can be purchased in varying sizes and designs. Often called English beading needles, some have sharp edges on both ends with the eye in the center. Others are more like a typical sewing needle with the eye on one end and the point on the other. The similarities in these beading needles is they both are flexible and both have collapsible eyes which allow it to pass through the bead easily. The type with the eye on one end tends to be a bit more flexible, which might be a good thing for certain projects. But when you need to push the pointy end between two beads, the type with the eye in the middle is a stronger tool. It also has very sharp ends which can be painful if you poke your finger instead of the bead hole. The type needle you chose is pretty much a matter of taste and dependent upon your project.
Beading Techniques-----------------------
HALF HITCH KNOT
Woven bracelets use a half hitch knot technique to end bracelets and also to finish with one length of thread and start another. The technique calls for passing the needle through a couple of beads, making a knot, and passing back through the beads again. This is done several times through several sets of beads to secure the work.
You may be wondering why you would use more than one length of thread for a project. If you’re asking, you’ve never had to pull a thread that is longer than your outstretched arm, through a lot of beads. It requires repeated pulls. Also, the longer the thread, the greater the chance of accidental knots. Working with shorter lengths makes beading easier.
When you are coming to the end of your thread (about 6”) but have not finished your project, you should tie off your work so you can add another length and continue working. You will not be tying the two threads together.
To tie off your work, first make note of the last bead on the string. It’s important to recognize this bead as this is where you will resume beading with the new length of thread.
Create a half hitch knot between the last bead of your work and one next to it. Knots should be hidden between two beads. Once you’ve made the knot, go back through two beads and create another knot. Do this several times for at least 1 1/2”. When finished, remove the needle and attach the new yard of thread.
Insert your needle in roughly the same spot. Go through two beads. Leave about a three inch tail. Make a half hitch knot and continue working to the point where you added your last bead to the bracelet. Pass the thread through that bead and continue beading.
STOP BEAD
A stop bead is essentially a bead that is meant to stop your work from slipping off at the end of the thread. To add a stop bead, use any bead (it will not be part of the finished work). Pass the needle through it leaving a 12” tail on the end. Pass the needle through it again going in the same direction.
