Soon as I put a new/different size/style of needle in my machine I take
a piece of painters tape and write the following info on it.
Brand of needle
style of needle (large eye sharp, ball point, leather, etc)
size of needle
date needle put in machine
Then IF (when) I take that needle out I have the info and can
than use that piece of painters tape to "old" the needle on a
piece of paper or where ever I put "used needles".
After removing the needle I write the date it was removed and
TRY to list approx. how many projects I have sewn with it. If
more than 10 projects than that needle goes to my box of usable
needles except for sewing quilting items (for sewing items that might
have stiff peltex and such in it).
Of course this is what I found that works best for ME, everyone has
their own methods of keeping track of needles and such.