I remember the story of a village long ago, where the commoners were not allowed to have needles, because needles were only for the upper-classes. So one village, who had one needle, passed it around from person to person hidden in an orange. (I don't know if this story is true, but it goes to show how valuable one little piece of metal can be. Can you imagine having no way to mend your trousers?!) There are so many wonderful needles available to all of us now, commoners included. I'm sure to miss some, and my experience may differ from yours, but here are a few of note for us cross stitchers:

Tapestry Needles are what most of us use for cross stitching. The benefit of these needles is that they're sort of blunt on the end. I have shown a number of children against my fingertips that a tapestry needle doesn't prick a finger as easily as a "sharp." (But more than a few times I've run one under my fingernail while stitching, and they will draw blood!) These needles can be very inexpensive -- as little as a dollar for a half dozen of them. And they do last a long time, too. Size 26 is used most commonly, especially for stitchers who like to work on 14/28 count to 16/32 count. A size 28 is great for finer fabrics (18/36 count and finer.) Size 24 is a bit chunkier needle, and perfect for say a 25 count linen, an 11 ct. Aida, and so forth. A size 22 works well with the #5 perle cottons and fabrics like 18 count linens and such. You don't want to create a huge hole where you're stitching, but your needle should gently push the fabric's fibers aside so the thread can pass through without really dragging through.

Now, tapestry needles come made out of different materials. You can get gold-plated needles, and those are fancy, but for me, anyway, impractical. I have found that the gold plating slips through the fabric like the proverbial hot knife through butter for the first half hour. Then the plating starts wearing off. Maybe you've had better luck? Platinum needles grew in popularity in the late 90's, and are very nice to stitch with. I found that I soon mixed up which were my expensive platinum needles and which were my el cheapo's. So, eh, I just get the less expensive needles, and my fingers don't notice the difference.

A few companies are now selling petite needles, shorter than regular tapestry needles. Some stitchers love these smaller-sized needles. I find (with my long fingers) that I have a harder time grabbing it on the way through. Still, they're very nice needles. Another specialty needle is the "easy threader," which I recently tried for the first time. Basically, you have an eye, but the top of the eye has a slit cut down into it, so you pull the thread over the top of the eye to thread it. I found that I frayed my thread more with this needle, and had some problems with the thread slipping out while I was stitching. (I will note here that I use the sewing method of stitching, rather than the poke-and-stab, which could contribute to how needles work for me.)

Beading needles vary, too, and a lot of stitchers make the mistake of buying the long beading needles used for beading jewelry. The short sized needles work much better, and I prefer the Mill Hill brand shorter beading needles for attaching seed beads to my needlework. If you're attaching buttons, like those by Just Another Button Company, I've found that a size 28 Tapestry works pretty well (always be sure your needle will easily pass through the holes of the button before you push it through. Forcing a needle through too-small a hole may snap the needle or the button.)

There are a number of companies now who make "favorite" needles, meaning needles that are manufactured to be smoother, a better length, or just better in design than other mass-produced needles. I know some people swear by theirs, but I haven't found one I particularly like. Needles are a matter of what works for you. When you find one you like, stick with it (no pun intended). I have really enjoyed the Piecemakers brand of needles. But I use a lot of the cheapies, too.

Also available now are Twin Pointed Quick Stitch needles, a very long two-pointed needle with the eye in the middle. These work great if you work on a frame (you hold one hand above to push the needle down, the other hand goes below to push the needle back up through the next hole.) I've heard they cut stitching time dramatically. However, if you work in hand or with a hoop, these don't make much sense to use.

And oh, there are needle accessories, too. Needle threaders from the cheap and easy to ones that will thread your needle for you! You can get needle organizers to save threaded needles for difficult projects. There are needle cases from plastic to carved wood and precious metals. Needle minders save your needle magnetically on your fabric (I admit I just tuck mine in the fabric...but then again...I lose mine sometimes.)

I always worry when a needle has lived a full life how to dispose of it. If you have an old plastic film container (the kind with the snap on lid), you can use this. Punch a hole in the lid with a hammer and thin nail, then just slip your used needles in through the top. You can fit quite a few needles in a film container, but when you're ready to throw it away, you don't have to worry about the needles poking you, your significant other, or your sanitation worker! I generally throw needles away when they start looking discolored around the middle (almost tarnished) or if I break the eye. A few times I've snapped a needle clear in half (now that is some heavy-duty stitching!)

Take a good look at your needles. Maybe it's time for a new pack! But aren't you lucky you don't have to carry yours around in a piece of fruit!?

My prayers and hopes are with everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina. Best wishes to everyone who ended up in her path for health, healing, financial security and a smooth re-build.

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com