Hand Embroidery Needles: Everything You Need to Know

There are so many different kinds of needles, and it’s so hard to find a needle in a haystack! But what about choosing the best hand-embroidery needle from a whole bunch of needles? Is that much easier?

You’ve probably already realized that not all needles are the same. They vary in size and shape and are made for different purposes. So, do we need them all? If not, which ones should be on our list, and why?

Why is the type of needle important for hand embroidery?

Choosing the right needle will make your hand-embroidery process more enjoyable and easier. A while back, I had trouble with bullion knots and French knots, and it was all because I’d chosen the wrong needle. After switching needles, the process went smoothly and the results were much better.

When I wanted to embellish my hand-embroidery with beads and sequins, I ran into another problem: the beads were too small for all the needles I had. But, once again, the problem was solved with the help of the right needle.

Therefore, the hand-embroidery needles you choose must be specific to the task. Two criteria define the needle: its type and its size.

Types of Hand-Embroidery Needles

There are many types of needles and many ways to use them. However, in this blog post, I’ll focus only on the needles I use for hand embroidery. I’ll just mention their main characteristics and the most common ways to use them.

Crewel needles (also called embroidery needles)

Sharp tip.
Average length.
The shank is slightly thinner than the eye.
It is used for: general surface embroidery, crewel embroidery, goldwork, whitework, and virtually any embroidery technique that requires a sharp needle.

Embroidery needles (cross-stitch needles)

A blunt, rounded tip.
Average length.
Long eye; the horn is slightly thinner than the eye.
It is used for: canvas work and cross-stitch. In addition, this needle is useful for backstitches and lace stitches, as its blunt tip helps prevent the main stitches from snagging and keeps your fingertips from getting pricked.

Chenille needles

Very sharp tip.
Large eye; the horn is slightly thinner than the eye.
Used for: thick or multifilament threads, braids, metallic threads, and chenille thread. Used in crewel and ribbon embroidery.

Miller’s Needles (Straw Needles)

Sharp tip.
Long and thin.
It has a round eye that is no wider than the shaft of the needle.
It is used for: appliqué, trimmings knots, threading stitches, and French knots. Because the shaft is longer and the eye is the same size as the shaft, this needle makes it easy to wrap the thread around the needle many times and pass it through the wrapped threads.

Threading needles

Sharp tip.
A long, very thin shaft.
Long, narrow eyes.
It is used for: working with beads, cords, pearls, and sequins.

Hand Embroidery Needle Sizes

Crewel needles come in sizes 1 through 12, with 1 being the largest and 12 the finest.

Tapestry needles are available in sizes 13 through 28, with 13 being the largest and 28 the finest.

Chenille needles are available in sizes 13 through 28, just like upholstery needles.

Milliner needles come in sizes 1 through 10, with 1 being the largest and 10 the thinnest.

Threading needles are available in sizes 10 (the thickest) through 15 (the thinnest).

How to Choose the Right Size Needle for Hand Embroidery

When you’re choosing a needle for your next project, keep this in mind:

How thick is the thread you’ll be using? The needle shank should be about as wide as the embroidery thread. If you’re using standard 6-strand embroidery thread, the needle size will depend on the number of strands of thread you’ll be using. For 6 strands, I would recommend using a No. 5 needle; for 3–4 strands, a No. 7; for 2–3 strands, a No. 8; and for a single strand, a No. 9. Your choice will also depend on the fabric you choose to embroider on.
How thick is the fabric? There shouldn’t be any significant resistance as the needle passes through the fabric. If you have trouble threading the needle, you should choose a larger one. The hole made by the needle should be large enough for the thread to pass through, but not too big.
Which needles will you be using? Upholstery needles are the best choice for working on canvas, cross-stitch, or for backstitch and loop stitch. For wool knots, French knots, or threading stitches, choose Milliner needles.
What materials will you be using? If you’re using thick yarn or embroidery floss, choose chenille needles. For beaded embroidery, choose beading needles.

Take good care of your hand-embroidery needles

No matter what type of needles you choose, remember to take good care of them. The needles should be straight and have intact tips. They should glide effortlessly through the fabric without pulling or tearing it. If the needle is corroded, bent, or no longer sharp, replace it with a new one.

There are many ways to keep your needles organized. My favorite tools and methods are:

The Needle Book. It’s a small fabric book made of felt with pages for storing your needles, pins, and other essential embroidery tools, such as scissors and a thimble. It’s very convenient if you embroider while traveling. Read the“Hand-Embroidered Needle Book Tutorial: Free Embroidery Pattern and Easy Step-by-Step Guide” and make your own personalized needle book.
A pin cushion. It is a small, stuffed cushion that is usually between 3 and 5 cm wide. It is used to store pins or needles with their heads sticking out so they can be quickly grabbed, picked up, and kept organized. Pincushions are usually filled with ground walnut shells or steel wool to keep the needles sharp.
Keep your needles in their original packaging so you’ll always know their size and type.

If you keep losing your needles while embroidering or use more than one needle at a time, consider using a needle holder. This magnetic sewing accessory prevents needles from getting lost when you need to take a short break from sewing or when changing threads. It consists of two strong magnets with a decorative top and a smooth back.

Must-Have Hand Embroidery Needles

If you’re new to hand embroidery, I recommend buying a set of crewel needles (embroidery needles) in various sizes. Most manufacturers of hand embroidery floss offer these sets. In my photo, you can see the needle sets from PRYM and DMC.

It’s also handy to have a pair of milliner’s needles. If you have a basic sewing kit at home, you probably already have them. Milliner’s needles are indispensable for French knots and bullion stitches.

Later on, you can add other types of needles, choosing them based on the embroidery project you select.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and change the needle size as you go. With a little experience and practice, you’ll find your favorite needle size, and then you can buy more needles of that exact size.

In conclusion

Hand embroidery needles are small but powerful and essential embroidery tools. They’re so powerful that they can make or break your embroidery experience.

There are two main factors to consider when choosing a needle for your project: the type of needle and its size. Make the right choices, and the embroidery process will be smooth and relaxing.

All you need is a basic set of embroidery needles to get started. You can add more later.

And finally, don’t forget to take good care of your needles and don’t leave them on the couch!