The larger the number, the smaller the needle.

11 - 14 count fabric                 Size 24 needle
18 count fabric                      Size 24 or 26 needle
22 count and above fabric      Size 26 needle

• Mary from somewhere in cyberspace suggests this:
  Try using a #12 quilting needle for both your petite and regular seed beads.  This needle gives you more control with a shorter length which may help you not to stick yourself as much as with the long beading needles.

• Platinum needles do not react with body chemistry or the atmosphere and there is no drag through the fabric.

• Purchase rubber fingers in your size.  Turn inside out and use to pull needles through difficult areas.  Also, you can use the band that comes from around your broccoli.

• Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, carefully bend the tip of a blunt needle; this will become one of your most important tools.  Use it to stitch spider web stitch and rosettes.   Also, it is a great tool to get to those nasty little stitches that must be ripped out one at a time after an IMP has stitched while you weren't looking.

• Keep a deflated balloon handy to pull needles through difficult spots.

• Always keep thread in the needles you are using, even when ripping.  They are easier to handle and to find.

• Dr. Scholl's rubber corn pads make very effective needle holders when stuck on the edge of your needlepoint frame or canvas.