Welcome to our 5th 'Needle Knowhow' feature.

Last month we covered everything you need to know about Chenille needles, but this month we're filling you in on Quilting needles.

We've got one last features to share with you next month, as industry leaders John James Needles present all the technical advice and information you'll ever need to know.

* Plus, each month we're giving away the ENTIRE SET of Pebbles to one lucky reader!

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This month, we're focusing on the Quilting needle, also known as a Between needle.

What is a Quilting needle?

Traditionally this needle was used by tailors and professional sewers and, of course, it's ideally suited to the art of quilting.

As a perfect starter kit, this classic beige Quilting Pebble (ref: JJP12039) contains the most popular sizes of needle's used in quilting. There's a total of 16 needles (sizes 3 - 9) in this one, for all your quilting needs!

How can I tell if mine is a Quilting needle?

Quilting needles are shorter than the average sewing needle and have round eyes. The diameter of a Quilting needle is the same as a Sharp needle. The short length of the needle allows the quilter to stitch far quicker than when using an ordinary needle.

In the May issue of CrossStitcher, you'll find this comprehensive (not to mention super handy!) needle guide from industry experts John James.

Ever wondered which needle you should be using? This pull-out showcases 13 different collections of needles that John James produce for every crafting project you can imagine.

With this easy-to-use guide, you'll be able to find and identify all of them at a single glance. All the images of needles have been printed at actual size so if you have a rouge needle that you need to identify, simply place it on top of the pictures to find out exactly what type it is. How handy is that?

You'll find these pages tucked into the centre of our May issue, perfect for pulling out and pinning up as a reference for months to come!

*Want to win the entire Pebble range?
Click read more to find out how...

Welcome to our fourth 'Needle Knowhow' feature.

Last month we covered everything you need to know about delicate beading needles, but this month we're filling you in on a slightly larger range called chenille needles.

We've got two  features to share with you yet, as industry leaders John James Needles present all the technical advice and information you'll ever need.

* Plus, each month we're giving away the ENTIRE SET of Pebbles to one lucky reader!

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This month, we're focusing on chenille needles. As a perfect starter kit, this misty grey Pebble (ref: JJP18882) contains 6 chenille needles in sizes 18 - 22, but don't take our word for it. Scroll down to find out more about the chenille family.

What is a chenille needle?

Chenille needles are part of the embroidery needle range and are typically used for embroidery using yarn, twisted yarn and crewel wool, hence the name crewel embroidery.

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

The chenille needle is identical in size to the tapestry needle (the length and diameter are the same) but instead of a blunt round point, the chenille needle has a sharp point. You'll notice is has a large eye which is particularly useful for allowing the yarn to be threaded easily.

When should I be using a chenille needle?

These needles are designed to be used when embroidering on coarse and heavy fabrics, especially when creating Jacobean work. They're ideal for embroidery or appliqué work on chunky sweaters, for example.

You might find some people use them for sewing knitted and crochet pieces together, however it's worth taking note that care must be taken when doing so because the sharp point could split the fibres.​

What size chenille needle do I need?

Usage really depends on the openness of the fabric to be used. Size 13 and 14 are the lergest in the chenille family and are designed to be used with heavy fabrics, but the most popular are 16, 18, 20 and 22.

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.

Welcome to our first ever 'Needle Knowhow' feature.

Over the next 6 months we'll be bringing you 6 exclusive features from industry leaders John James Needles with all the technical advice and information you'll ever need to know about the different needles you may come across on your stitching journey.

We'll be covering everything from beading and quilting to darning and embroidery. Plus, each month we'll be offering you the chance to win the entire Pebble range!

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First-up, we're focusing on the Tapestry needle.

What is a tapestry needle?

Commonly known as the cross stitch needle, there's no set rule on the name and description of a tapestry needle. It's probably the most well-used needle in our collection and it will be in yours too, if you're a cross stitch addict! The tapesty needle comes in a variety of sizes, dependant on the fabric being used.

Typically the smaller needle sizes: 22, 24, 26 and 28 are classed as cross stitch needles and the larger 13, 14, 16, 18 and 20 are classed as tapestry needles. 

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

Whatever the size, you'll notice they all feature large eyes and a blunt round 'point'. The large eye of a tapestry needle allows the user to thread tapestry yarn, stranded cotton or floss much easier than a small one. The blunt round 'point', makes it easier for the needle to pass through the holes in the fabric without it tearing or splitting the fibres. This needle is designed to pass through the holes already in the fabric, not pierce it.

Larger sized tapestry needles are used on canvas (as shown below) with thicker tapestry wools.

Which size needle do I need?

Large sized tapestry needles (size 13  -16) are designed for use on 6hpi (hole per inch) plastic canvas, rug canvas and children's Binca, making them ideal for youngsters starting out in cross stitch. The medium needles (sizes 18 and 20) are used on 10hpi double-thread tapestry canvas and cross stitch aida, whilst the smaller needles (22 and 24) are designed for use on 12, 14 and 16 count aida.

The smallest sized tapestry needles (26 and 28) are perfect for evenweave users, their tiny tips make them ideal for passing through 18 count aida or 26/28 count evenweave. 

What are the Pebble sets for?

John James sell a great variety of needle sets in handy cases called Pebbles. They start at just £1.25 and each set of needles are represented by a different colour of Pebble so you can easily tell them apart. Their oval shapes mean they're easy to hold, transport and store. It's like they say; great things come in small packages!

This lilac Pebble (code JJP19884) is the tapestry case and includes 6 needles in the most popular sizes. There's one size 18 needle, one size 20 needle, two size 22 needles and two size 24 needles. Click here to see the entire range of Pebbles on offer.

* WIN the entire Pebble range from John James Needles! *

If you fancy getting your mitts on all the needles we'll be talking about in our 'Needle Knowhow' features, click here to enter our Pebble competition!

Keyword = NEEDLES1

Each month we'll be running a new competition, so if you're unlucky this time, you can check back next month and try again.

For more information on tapestry needles, visit the John James website.