With a heritage of needle-making spanning over 300 years, the expertise at John James Needles has been handed down from generation to generation and is highly regarded within the stitching industry - and within the CrossStitcher team.

Now they've launched The Crafters Collection, a set of easy-to-identify wallets containing every needle you'd ever need to own! Cleverly labelled in sweet illustrated packages (average £1.49 for 10+ needles), we think they're superb value for money.

Over the next 6 months we will be exploring and sharing all 24 designs with you, alongside handy needle tips and techniques for you to enjoy.

Click read more to see their Crewel, Beading, Cross Stitch and Easy Thread sets...

Welcome to our third 'Needle Knowhow' feature.

Last month we covered everything you need to know about embroidery needles, but this month we're going crazy for ebellishments with this special beading feature.

We've got three more features to share with you yet, as industry leaders John James Needles present all the technical advice and information you'll ever need - so don't forget to check back next month!

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This month, we're focusing on beading needles, so scroll down and test your knowledge!

What is a beading needle?

Beading needles have been designed to make it easdier when threading the smallest seed bead or bugle bead and attaching it to your work. They are commonly used for bead embroidery and as the name suggests are also used in the art of applying beads or sequins to freestyle embroidery work.

They are the finest needles offered within the hand sewing needle industry, designed for the sewing anthusiast.

How can I tell if my needle is a beading needle?

Beading needles have very fine diameters and this reflects on the size of the eye, which can be extremly small. They are desgined to make it easdier when threading the smallest seed bead or bugle bead.

The needles are made from the finest wire, in fact, each size of beading needle from John James are made from different diameters of wire, making them very unique - and very fragile. They should be handled with tender loving care, any additional strength placed on a beading needle can cause it to snap.

Which size beading needle do I need?

Beading needles are available in sizes 10, 12, 13 and 15, but traditionally the most popular sizes are 10 and 12 which  are also recommended for the beginner to use. If you're looking to use a beading needle in the art of jewellery making, then size 13 and 15 are likely to be most suited.

If your a beginner, you could invest a dreamy turquoise beading Pebble (code JJP10503)  at the top of this post, which includes 4 beading needles - 2 x size 10 and 2 x size 12.

Here are a few more beading needles you may discover:

1. Short beading needles, sometimes referred to as Ballpoint Bead Emboidery needles are idea for applying beads or sequins to canvas work. Their blunt tips mean that they easily pass through the canvas without splitting the fibres.

2. Curved beading needles are ideal for the art of box making when using fine fabrics such as silk or its equivalent. They come in size 10 and are manually curved during the manufacturing process.

3. Short beading needles with sharp points (offered in sizes 10 and 12) are shorter than the standard beading needles but have sharp points so they can pass through denser fabrics.

4. Long beading needles, which are only available in size 12, are extra long (76mm long to be precise!) and come in envelope packs containing 25 needles or in a bulk purchases of 1,000 needles.