:: July 2002 
Feature
Needles for Needlework
The needle is to the needleworker as the chisel is to the sculptor. You always need one in your hand in order to work, but one size does not fit all uses. The correct needle for a fibre project can make stitching smooth and beautiful; conversely, an incorrect needle for the same project will make stitching difficult and will mar the beauty of the finished work.
Each end of the needle is important. The pointed end is either sharp or dull. If you need your needle to pierce the fabric on which you are stitching, you will choose a sharp pointed needle. If your needle is to pass through evenly spaced holes in a fabric (such as Aida cloth) or a canvas, you will select a dull pointed needle.
The other end of the needle contains the eye of the needle. If you are doing handwork with a single thread, you will choose a small-eyed needle. If you are working with a thick fibre like 3-ply wool, you will need a large-eyed needle.
A rule of thumb for selecting needle size is that your needle should always be slightly thicker than the thread, floss, or yarn that you are using so it can make a path for your fibre to pass through your fabric with ease. If your needle is too thin for your fibre, your fibre will start to fray after only a trip or two through the fabric.
Most needles for needlework have a number size. The higher the number, the finer the needle. By paying attention to each end of the needle before you stitch, you will be able to choose the right needle for a given project even if you don't know its specific number