Last week, we discussed all sorts of terminology relating to threads. Now, let's talk about needles to go along with them! Needles come in so many sizes, brands, lengths, and shapes, each with different qualities and uses. Some needles are short and thin, some are long and thick. Some are used for appliqué, some are used for certain embroidery stitches, sashiko, and so on. So, naturally, there's a lot of needles out there in the world!
An important note: As with thread weights, the higher the number of the needle, the smaller the size. For example, a Chenille #24 is smaller than a Chenille #18. However, an exception to keep in mind is the Milliners #15. While the number may lead you to think this is a smaller needle, it is actually the largest Milliners needle Sue offers.
Helpful Hint: On each of our thread pages, we have added a tab with the recommended needles for that specific thread! Simply click on "Needles" to find them.
Chenille needles are medium length needles with a wide tapered body, long oval eye, and a sharp point that glides through layers of wool. The wide body makes it easier to hold and handle, and the long oval eye makes it easier to thread.
Chenille #24 needles are used for whip-stitch wool appliqué. Both sizes can be used for most embroidery stitches, with the exception of wrapped and cast-on stitches. The larger Chenille #18 is useful for thicker threads and pulling thick couching threads, yarns, and ribbon through wool.
Sue Spargo Gold Eye Chenille Needles
- Gold eye = easier threading
- Made in Japan
- Extra sharp
- 4 needles/tube
Clover Chenille Needles
- Gold eye = easier threading
- Made in Japan
- A quality, sharp, yet affordable needle
- 6 needles/card
Tulip Chenille Needles
Sizes: #24, 18, Assorted 3-10 Embroidery Needles
- Gold eye = easier threading
- Made in Japan
- A high-end, extra sharp needle that undergoes detailed precision processing techniques
- 4 needles/tube (Assorted Embroidery Needles - 8 needles/tube)
Milliners needles, also known as straw needles, are extra long, have a sharp point, a large round eye, and a body of uniform thickness. The "Darner" needles share these characteristics and also fall under this category.
Milliners needles are essential for wrapped and cast-on stitches as the uniform thickness allows the needle to easily slide through the wrapped stitches. The Short Darner needles have different uses, listed below.
Sue Spargo Gold Eye Milliners Needles
Sizes: #3, 1, 15, Long Darner #1
- Large, round gold eye = easier threading
- Made in Japan
- 4 needles/tube
*The Long Darner #1 is useful for extra long wrapped and cast-on stitches such as drizzle stitches. It can hold up to 80 wraps on the needle.
Tulip Milliners Needles
- A high-end, extra sharp needle with a large eye and superior polish
- Made in Japan
- 6 needles/tube
Richard Hemming & Son Milliners Needles
Size: #1
- Slightly finer than other Milliners #1 needles
- 12 needles/card
Bohin Milliners Needles
Sizes: #3-9
- Assortment of sizes
- 15 needles/card
Sue Spargo Short Darner
- Short Darner #11 is used for needle turn appliqué of cotton, silk, and velvet.
- Short Darner #9 is used for beaded stitches using #11 seed beads and slightly larger beads.
- Both have a long oval gold eye, making threading much easier
- Made in Japan
- 4 needles/tube
Jeana Kimble Straw Needles
Size: #10
- Like the Short Darner #9, these needles are used for beaded stitches using #11 seed beads and beaded french knots.
- Small, oval eye
- 16 needles/tube
Tapestry needles have a large oval eye with a blunt tip. The blunt tip helps prevent splitting threads and stitching through backgrounds, appliqué or foundation stitches when weaving. They are also excellent for cross stitching.
Sue Spargo Gold Eye Tapestry Needles
- Gold eye = easier threading
- Extra blunt tip
- Made in Japan
- 4 needles/tube
Tulip Tapestry Needles
Sizes: Assorted #22-25
- High-quality with a blunt tip
- Assortment of sizes
- Made in Japan
- 6 needles/tube
Sashiko, meaning "little stabs", is a traditional Japanese mending technique, using a running stitch, in a practice that combines mending and quilting to create interesting pattens. Sashiko needles were designed specifically for this technique. These needles can be short, long, thick, or thin, depending on personal preference and the type of thread being used.
Hidamari Sashiko Needles
Sizes: Assorted
- Large, gold eye = easier threading
- 4 different lengths
- Made in Japan
- 6 needles/card
Tulip Sashiko/Kogin Needles
Types: Kogin, Big Eye Thin, Big Eye Thick, Assorted Short, Assorted Long
- High-quality
- Made in Japan
- Kogin, Big Eye Thin, Big Eye Thick: 4 needles/tube
- Assorted Short, Assorted Long: 6 needles/tube
Tulip Bullion Knot Needles
Sizes: Short/Fine, Long/Regular
Bullion Knot Needles are designed specifically for the Bullion Knot Stitch. With this stitch, the wraps need to easily slip over the needle, so these needles have an eye that is slightly smaller than the body.
- Made in Japan
- 4 needles/tube
Clover Huck Embroidery Needles
Sizes: Assorted
The Huck Embroidery Needles have extra large eyes and a curved, rounded tip. The curved tip makes these needles excellent for scooping fabric and weaving. We love using these needles when darning worn out clothing!
- Made in Japan
- 3 needles/card
John James Silk Ribbon Embroidery Needles
Sizes: Assorted
This collection of needles designed for embroidery with silk ribbon contains a wide assortment of 25 needles, including Chenille, Milliners, Tapestry, Embroidery, Beading, Sharps, and Quilting Needles.
- 25 needles/card
Tulip Silk Needles
Size: #6
These sturdy, warp resistant, fine needles are excellent for hand appliqué with 100wt cotton and silk threads and silkwork.
- 6 needles/tube
- Made in Japan
Looking for a quick and easy way to find a needle for your thread? We've made it easy with our color coding system! The matching needle tube and spool color indicates coordinating needles and thread, while needles in ombre tubes can be used with both thread weights the colors represent.