Tools of the Trade - Different Types of Cross Stitch Needles
Happy Friday! I hope everyone is having a fantastic week! Every month I do a tools of the trade post and post about the tools I use and the experiences I have. I alternate between posting about the my X Carve (and wood working) and cross stitch. This month's tools of the trade is about cross stitch.
I have spent so much time lately learning about my X Carve and making signs that I haven't cross stitched or made a pattern in a while. One thing I love about cross stitch is it's like riding a bike, you can put it down come back later and pick up right where you left off because you never forget how.
I thought a while about what tool I would talk about first and I chose cross stitch needles. Cross stitch needles may not seem important but there are different sizes for different types of stitches and different types of fabric. There is also a preference. Most of the time I stitch with an embroidery needle. It's rather long and sharp, but it feels right and I like the sharp point for difficult stitches. For example a sharp point is great for trying to stitch a quarter stitch through aida fabric.
Needles are categorized by uses and sizes. Needle sizes are numbered with the smallest number being the larger needle and the larger number being the smallest needle. You will want to choose a needle that suits your purpose. Choose a needle that the thread will easily go through the eye and won't distort the fabric. If a needle is too large it will make the hole large and may not let your thread lay correctly through the hole you are stitching, the fabric will look stretched out.
There are several different needle categories, I'll only discuss a few that I've used here. My favorite needle is an embroidery needle. Embroidery needles have a sharp point and a long eye. Again, a sharp point is great for a difficult stitch and the longer eye is easier to thread. Embroidery needles range in size 1 through 12.
Tapestry needles come in sizes 12 through 28 and have a large eye. The tips of tapestry needles are dull and perfect to stitch fabric that already has holes and you don't need to pierce through the fabric. I personally do not care for these needles as I find them quite small. I do use them in my Snowflake kit as they are the perfect size to go through 16 count aida fabric.
Beading needles are used for doing bead work. They are skinny to fit through the center of a bead and long to hold more then one bead. I've used bead needles on different patterns that have a few beads. I've mostly used them when I put together felt stocking kits for Christmas stockings for my family.
Curved needles are shaped like a semi-circle and have a point. I've never used this needle but I've seen them and thought it would be fun to share. These needles are good for stitching in tight places while mounting your finished piece.
As you can see sometimes you just can't use any needle while cross stitching. It's important to think about the fabric you will be using, along with the number of strands of floss, and preference. I hope this post gives you a little guide, and as always if you have any questions leave a comment and I'll get back to you.
On a shop note, I've been working on 2 new signs and a key holder. I'm excited to share and will post more in my monthly newsletter that comes out April 1st. You can subscribe here. Each newsletter has shop updates and freebies like coupon codes and patterns. If you would like to see what I'm up to now, you can follow me on Instagram. Have a wonderful weekend!
~ Jennifer
Milly Bean Handiworks
My Shop Milly Bean Handiworks
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I have spent so much time lately learning about my X Carve and making signs that I haven't cross stitched or made a pattern in a while. One thing I love about cross stitch is it's like riding a bike, you can put it down come back later and pick up right where you left off because you never forget how.
 |
| Strawberries to hold needles and pins. |
I thought a while about what tool I would talk about first and I chose cross stitch needles. Cross stitch needles may not seem important but there are different sizes for different types of stitches and different types of fabric. There is also a preference. Most of the time I stitch with an embroidery needle. It's rather long and sharp, but it feels right and I like the sharp point for difficult stitches. For example a sharp point is great for trying to stitch a quarter stitch through aida fabric.
 |
| Different needles have different sizes. |
 |
| Embroidery Needle |
There are several different needle categories, I'll only discuss a few that I've used here. My favorite needle is an embroidery needle. Embroidery needles have a sharp point and a long eye. Again, a sharp point is great for a difficult stitch and the longer eye is easier to thread. Embroidery needles range in size 1 through 12.
 |
| Tapestry Needle |
Tapestry needles come in sizes 12 through 28 and have a large eye. The tips of tapestry needles are dull and perfect to stitch fabric that already has holes and you don't need to pierce through the fabric. I personally do not care for these needles as I find them quite small. I do use them in my Snowflake kit as they are the perfect size to go through 16 count aida fabric.
 |
| Bead Needle |
Beading needles are used for doing bead work. They are skinny to fit through the center of a bead and long to hold more then one bead. I've used bead needles on different patterns that have a few beads. I've mostly used them when I put together felt stocking kits for Christmas stockings for my family.
Curved needles are shaped like a semi-circle and have a point. I've never used this needle but I've seen them and thought it would be fun to share. These needles are good for stitching in tight places while mounting your finished piece.
 |
| Eye of an embroidery needle. |
As you can see sometimes you just can't use any needle while cross stitching. It's important to think about the fabric you will be using, along with the number of strands of floss, and preference. I hope this post gives you a little guide, and as always if you have any questions leave a comment and I'll get back to you.
 |
| New custom sign coming to the shop soon! |
On a shop note, I've been working on 2 new signs and a key holder. I'm excited to share and will post more in my monthly newsletter that comes out April 1st. You can subscribe here. Each newsletter has shop updates and freebies like coupon codes and patterns. If you would like to see what I'm up to now, you can follow me on Instagram. Have a wonderful weekend!
~ Jennifer
Milly Bean Handiworks
My Shop Milly Bean Handiworks
Subscribe to my Newsletter
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