7/30/2019 Know Your Needles

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NEEDLEPOINT PROBY CYNTHIA THOMAS

We are fortunate today to have access to

many different types of needles withdifferent finishes. Traditionally, needles

are nickel-plated, but some stitchers swear

their platinum- or gold-plated needles

make all the difference in stitching.

Stitchers can choose between petite

(or shorter) needles and the standard-

length needles. The following is a brief

description of just some of the various

types of hand-sewing needles available.

In general, needles are sized with the

larger number being the smaller sizeand the smaller number being the larger

size. For example, a size 20 tapestry needle

is thicker and longer than a size 28,

which is shorter and finer.

Sharps are medium-length needles.

They are the most commonly used hand-

sewing needles. They have a sharp point

and a round eye. In needlepoint, they are

used to pierce the canvas threads.

Betweens are shorter needles with a

rounded eye, used for detailed handwork,such as fine stitching or tailoring.

Betweens in sizes 7 to 12 are also referred

to as quilting needles. These needles

work well to pierce canvas threads.

The smaller betweenssizes 11 and 12

are also used for beading on fabric.

Crewel or embroideryneedles are

identical in length and thickness to

sharps but have a longer eye for easier

threading with thicker embroidery

threads. Again, these can be used to

pierce the canvas threads.

Milliners or strawneedles are

similar to sharps except they are longer.

They are most commonly used for

basting and millinery work. They are

extremely useful in making bullion knots

since they are straight up and down

and do not get fatter at the eye, thus

making them easier to pull through

a bullion knot. Tapestryor cross-stitch needles have

a longer eye for easier threading with

thicker embroidery threads. They have

blunt tips which push aside the fabric

threads rather than piercing them.

They come in standard length or petite.

This is the needle most commonly used

in needlepoint and cross-stitch.

Chenille needles are the same as

tapestry needles, but have a sharp point

for embroidery on closely woven fabric.These are frequently used for ribbon

embroidery on fabric.

Beadingneedles are made from very

fine wire and have very narrow eyes

in order to pass through the holes in a

bead. These come in either a long or

short length with a point.

Tattingneedles are long and have the

same thickness for their entire length.

Needlepointers sometimes use them

to make very long bullion knots.

Appliqu needles are very fine, short

needles for hand appliqu and sewing

on delicate fabrics.

Upholsteryneedles are heavy, long

needles that can be straight or curved.

Needlepointers use them when a heavier

needle is needed. The curved ones can

be used to assist in fixing missed stitches

after a piece is finished.

Determining the Correct Size Needle

The following table shows the canvas size

and the suggested needle size. This is only

a suggestion and the actual size you use

would depend on what you are doing and

what kind of thread you are using.

To decide what needle to use, pass the

needle through an unstitched hole in the

canvas. If the threaded needle enlarges the

hole, the needle is too big. If the needle

drops down through the hole too easily

then the needle is probably too small.

However, at times you may want the needle

to enlarge the hole, such as if you are

stitching with a delicate thread such as

angora or if you are doing pulledthreadwork. If the needle is too small it

will squeeze the needle through the eye

and cause excessive wear. Using a needle

that is too small with stranded threads can

make them more difficult to lie flat.

Unlike centuries ago, we are lucky to

live in a time when needles are readily

available and relatively inexpensive.

Try a variety of brands, types, and sizes

to determine which ones you like best.

Cross-Stitch & Needl

CANVAS MESH SIZE NEEDLE SIZE

10 18

12 20

14 22

16 22

18 22

22 24

24 Congress Cloth 24

Know Your NeedlesLearn the different types and sizes of needles available.