The Different Types of Embroidery Needle

There are several types of embroidery needles that allow the needle worker to embroider by hand or by machine and select the right needle according to the type of fabric he or she is working on, the type of yarn, floss, or thread used, and his or her personal preference. Some of the most common embroidery needles include tapestry, cone and chenille needles. Usually, a needlepoint worker will select the type of needle he or she finds most comfortable, regardless of its name or its traditional usage. The following content also has some reference value for EagleDigitizing.

When choosing needles, needle workers often consider the texture and weave of the fabric if using a woven fabric. A pointed needle, such as a standard embroidery needle or a chenille needle, pierces the thread of the fabric and is especially useful for French knots. The blunt point and point of a tapestry needle or cross stitch needle will not forcefully pierce the thread. This allows the embroiderer to work quickly as the needle slides between the threads of the fabric. Other fabrics, such as leather, require specialized needles

The choice of thread can affect the choice of needle as much as the choice of fabric. Most embroidery needles have large eyes to accommodate thick yarn or multiple strands of floss, but other embroidery needles, such as beading needles, have small or narrow, long eyes. Various small eye needles include Miller needles and quilting needles. While most embroiderers do not use quilting needles for embroidery, some needle workers choose them. Eyelets that are too small will often fray the thread, and eyelets that are too large may leave noticeable holes in the fabric.

A person selects the size of an embroidery needle using a number system. Generally, the higher the needle size number, the smaller the needle. The higher the thread count, the smaller the hole and the smaller the needle size required. For example, most experts recommend using a 24-gauge needle for 11- or 14-gauge fabrics and a 28-gauge needle for 18-gauge fabrics. When choosing a machine embroidery needle, the opposite is true: the smaller the number, the smaller the needle size.

Machine embroidery needles are slightly different from hand embroidery needles. Usually, they are very sharp and have elongated eyes that help pierce the fabric without leaving large holes in the fabric. Embroiderers typically choose ballpoint needles for knitted and stretchy fabrics, while wedge needles choose thick, dense fabrics for nonwovens such as leather, plastic, and suede. Most wires require special needles to prevent fraying and breakage.

Tapestry, needlepoint, and cross-stitch needles have dull points and large eyes, and needleworkers use them on evenly woven fabrics. Many embroidery projects require a sharp needle. Embroidery needles, chenille needles and round needles are pointed, which means they have a sharp point. Most embroidered sharps have large eyes or elongated eyes to accommodate thick thread or multiple strands of floss.

Needleworkers can choose specialized embroidery needles. For example, a beading needle is a long, thin, sharp needle with long, narrow eyes that people use to add beads to embroidery projects. Its unique size usually helps it slip through the small holes in the beads. Double eye embroidery needles have two eyes and can accommodate different types of floss or two or more colors. A milina's long sharp has a small, round eye and is usually longer than the average sewing needle that people usually use to make gold, silver and French knots.