Ultimate Needle Guide

April 3, 2025 by
Erin W

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

Sizes: #2418

  • Gold eye = easier threading
  • Made in Japan
  • Extra sharp
  • 4 needles/tube




Clover Chenille Needles

Sizes: #2418

  • Gold eye = easier threading
  • Made in Japan
  • A quality, sharp, yet affordable needle
  • 6 needles/card



Tulip Chenille Needles

Sizes: #2418,  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: #3115Long 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

Sizes: #31

  • 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

Sizes: #119

  • 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

Sizes: 2420

  • 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: KoginBig Eye ThinBig Eye ThickAssorted ShortAssorted 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/FineLong/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.