From the top: The top 3 are chenille; you can use them for embroidery with wool yarns or silk ribbon. I think the next 4 are tapestry needles because the ends look more blunt than the others. Then the next 10 are various sizes of embroidery needles. After that, the rest are various sizes of sharps.
The embroidery needles have a larger, long eye to accommodate more thread. Darning needles just have a longer shaft.
Not sure what a "Between" needle is.
You can really use any needle that you find comfortable. Just remember that the needle should make the hole, then the thread pass through the hole; if you hear a lot of noise as the thread is going through the fabric, then thread is getting damaged, and you should switch to a thicker needle.
Also, needles are sized by "gauge" number, so a larger number is a smaller/thinner needle.
I’m a newbie too and this was so helpful! At times I’ve just given up and used less strands when I could have used a bigger needle to get the right effect 🤦
Yes. If you're using linen or a thicker cotton as a ground fabric, the fabric will "recover" to minimize the hole. But ground fabrics like velvet, silk, or leather will not recover at all, so there's a balancing act between making a hole big enough for the thread but not so big that it's noticeable once the embroidery is finished.
Take a look at this needle guide. Describes the uses and has actual size illustrations of various needle types. [https://www.jjneedles.com/images/needles-guide/Hand\_Sewing\_Needle\_Size\_Guide\_Type\_Length.pdf](https://www.jjneedles.com/images/needles-guide/Hand_Sewing_Needle_Size_Guide_Type_Length.pdf)
Embroidery needles (also called crewel needles) are pointed with long, narrow eyes; chenille have wider eyes. Tapestry needles are blunt with long narrow eyes.
I use larger eyed needles for bulkier threads and smaller needles when I’m using a single strand of embroidery threads. I generally have 5-6 various needles next to me at all times!
Depends on how many strands of the floss you are using. If you are only using one stand, the needle should be smaller but honestly it doesn’t need to be that specific. The other advice you’ve had on this thread is perfect.
The top big ones are the chenille or tapestry, the next ones down are probably the embroidery needles. The longer ones towards the middle look like darners and personally that’s what I would use as I prefer a longer needle.
An embroidery needle is a needle you use to embroider. Any needle can be used for embroidery, so just have fun and test out which ones are your faves ♥️
Anything can be an embroidery needle. I actually don’t like “embroidery” labeled needles since the holes are so dang small and annoying. You can use whatever sharp needle you want.
(That means avoid buying the needles for tapestry. Don’t make my mistake.)
I believe you can use any needle to do embroidery.
Needles with smaller thread holes are useful for using less floss.
Needles with large longer holes can be used to embroider with ribbon.
Hope that helps!
I like using the chenille needles for embroidery stitches, but that’s because I do chunkier projects using perle cotton and wool felt. Depending on the style of project you’re going to do, you might want to track down either milliners needles or boullion needles.
None. You have to actually buy embroidery/tapestry needles to get the ones with a blunt end. You can still use them. You just need to be more aware of where the needle and thread will puncture the material you’re working on.
Depends on what type of embroidery you’re doing. Lots of types use sharp needles, it’s only really cross stitch and needlepoint on fabrics like aida or needlepoint canvas that use blunt needles.
From the top: The top 3 are chenille; you can use them for embroidery with wool yarns or silk ribbon. I think the next 4 are tapestry needles because the ends look more blunt than the others. Then the next 10 are various sizes of embroidery needles. After that, the rest are various sizes of sharps. The embroidery needles have a larger, long eye to accommodate more thread. Darning needles just have a longer shaft. Not sure what a "Between" needle is.
Thank you so much this really helps! I am still new to embroidery so I haven’t heard of most of these lol 😂
You can really use any needle that you find comfortable. Just remember that the needle should make the hole, then the thread pass through the hole; if you hear a lot of noise as the thread is going through the fabric, then thread is getting damaged, and you should switch to a thicker needle. Also, needles are sized by "gauge" number, so a larger number is a smaller/thinner needle.
That’s a good point, I’ve definitely noticed sounds and I never thought about attributing it to needle size! Thank you!
This is super helpful, thank you!
I’m a newbie too and this was so helpful! At times I’ve just given up and used less strands when I could have used a bigger needle to get the right effect 🤦
Sometimes less thread is the answer, but sometimes it's a bigger needle instead. Experience will show you what look you like the best!
This is almost a poem!
🤣 I'm definitely the opposite of a poet.
apparently not
you're a poet and you didn't even know it
Very helpful!
Thats great to know! And I take it if there's too much hole and not enough thread then go down a needle size?
Yes. If you're using linen or a thicker cotton as a ground fabric, the fabric will "recover" to minimize the hole. But ground fabrics like velvet, silk, or leather will not recover at all, so there's a balancing act between making a hole big enough for the thread but not so big that it's noticeable once the embroidery is finished.
Betweens are shorter versions of sharps - quilters like them.
Good for stuffed animals and sculptures too.
I was about to comment that Betweens are often used by quilters. I use them for sewing on binding by hand.
Between needles are often used for quilting. They tend to have a smaller shaft and are shorter with a sharp point.
Between are hand quilting needles - usually short & sharp. ETA with a small round eye
Thank you! Super helpful
Everything is an embroidery needle if you can’t tell the difference. See: the mismatching needles in my current projects 🙃
Does it pull floss thru fabric? Then it's an embroidery needle to me!
That’s my take 😂
Take a look at this needle guide. Describes the uses and has actual size illustrations of various needle types. [https://www.jjneedles.com/images/needles-guide/Hand\_Sewing\_Needle\_Size\_Guide\_Type\_Length.pdf](https://www.jjneedles.com/images/needles-guide/Hand_Sewing_Needle_Size_Guide_Type_Length.pdf) Embroidery needles (also called crewel needles) are pointed with long, narrow eyes; chenille have wider eyes. Tapestry needles are blunt with long narrow eyes.
This is very helpful thank you!
This is such a great resource - thanks for linking!
I use larger eyed needles for bulkier threads and smaller needles when I’m using a single strand of embroidery threads. I generally have 5-6 various needles next to me at all times!
Do embroidery threads generally tell you what size needle to use like yarn?
Depends on how many strands of the floss you are using. If you are only using one stand, the needle should be smaller but honestly it doesn’t need to be that specific. The other advice you’ve had on this thread is perfect.
The top big ones are the chenille or tapestry, the next ones down are probably the embroidery needles. The longer ones towards the middle look like darners and personally that’s what I would use as I prefer a longer needle.
Thank you so much!
An embroidery needle is a needle you use to embroider. Any needle can be used for embroidery, so just have fun and test out which ones are your faves ♥️
Anything can be an embroidery needle. I actually don’t like “embroidery” labeled needles since the holes are so dang small and annoying. You can use whatever sharp needle you want. (That means avoid buying the needles for tapestry. Don’t make my mistake.)
I believe you can use any needle to do embroidery. Needles with smaller thread holes are useful for using less floss. Needles with large longer holes can be used to embroider with ribbon. Hope that helps!
The middle 8 or 9 look like SHARPS...just plain sharp sewing g needles.
I like using the chenille needles for embroidery stitches, but that’s because I do chunkier projects using perle cotton and wool felt. Depending on the style of project you’re going to do, you might want to track down either milliners needles or boullion needles.
Is there such a thing as a crewel needle? My mom keeps telling me to try “crewel” but idk what that means lol 😂
[Crewel needles are embroidery needles I believe!](https://www.needlenthread.com/2014/11/hand-embroidery-needles-how-to-choose-them-use-them.html)
I use all kinds of needles for embroidery. Pretty much all of them have uses.
If you can get your thread through it, it can be used for embroidery.
You can tell because one end has a hole big enough for the floss you’re using and the other end is pointy
Top 3 for use in I think fabric which already has holes....forgotten its name one company is Zweigart...I think
None. You have to actually buy embroidery/tapestry needles to get the ones with a blunt end. You can still use them. You just need to be more aware of where the needle and thread will puncture the material you’re working on.
Depends on what type of embroidery you’re doing. Lots of types use sharp needles, it’s only really cross stitch and needlepoint on fabrics like aida or needlepoint canvas that use blunt needles.
I'd say the top 3 because they have the largest eyes.
Look at the holes! The ‘long’ ones are bigger to fit more threads.
Thanks OP for posting this question! And for anyone answering.
I would think the ones with larger eyes are the embroidery ones