There is one type of needles that I use more than any other. This is very much because I do more counted thread embroidery than surface embroidery. My favourite needles are therefore tapestry needles, and more precisely No 24 tapestry needles.
Tapestry needles are useful for counted thread work because they have a blunt tip, which means that instead of splitting fabric threads as they go through the fabric, they are more likely to pass between them, which is exactly what you want when you are doing counted thread work.
In my years of teaching I have discovered one very interesting thing about tapestry needles: not all tapestry needles are created equal. You’re probably expecting me to sing the praises of gold plated needles here, or something like that. But no, I’ve never used a gold plated needle.
My point is that the eye size of tapestry needle changes markedly in size from one brand of tapestry needle to another. This means that if I specify a No 24 tapestry needle (which is larger than a 26, and smaller than a 22 – so the smaller the number, the larger the needle) sometimes it will work for the stitcher, and sometimes it may not. Some 24s are very much hard to thread than others because their eye is narrower.
Tapestry needles are the same as chenille needles in all respects but their points. A tapestry needle has a blunt or rounded tip, while a chenille needle has a sharp tip. So if you compare chenilles and tapestries of the same size and brand, you’ll find their length, shaft thickness, and eye size are all very similar or as much the same as you could hope for. However, the tapestry needle has a rounded point, and the chenille is sharp.
Tapestry needles are also useful for some surface work. Sometimes you will need to pass a needle under a stitch without catching any of the stitch on the needle. A sharp pointed needle can mean that the tip catches on the stitch thread, perhaps accidentally piercing it. In this instance, a tapestry needle would be much more likely to pass by without catching or splitting the stitch thread. (The back of a sharp pointed needle – the eye end – can also work, but you have to be careful not to accidentally stab yourself with the sharp end of the needle!)
So there you have it, a precis of my favourite type of needle. Long live the tapestry needle!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
Tapestry are my favorite as well Yvette, and they are certainly not created equally. I have one in my pincushion that has a sharp top, so not a comfortable needle to use at all.
I have also used gold needles over time that have been supplied in kits, one was perfect but disappeared up the vacuum cleaner, not happy about that. But the others have been very poor quality.
I guess it really is trial and error with needles and when you find a good brand, keep with that one.
I agree totally. On my stitching groups, we occasionally discuss brands, and there seem to be equal numbers of people who prefer one brand and dislike another. Others are the opposite. Some people say the eye shreds their floss, others rave about the same brand!
I think the gold ones are for people who have skin which reacts and wears off the coating. The best thing to do is not to use one needle for too long. If you use a ne one you can feel the difference!
cheers
Julie in Australia
I’ve noticed that too. I use gold needles some of the time, but largely because I find them easier to find when they fall to the floor!