For those of you who cross stitch, what brand needles do you prefer? You can also tell me what count/type fabric you like and what size needle you prefer.
This is NOT political so please don’t bring that up but with the chance of tariffs, whether the cost of things will go up and whether there may be shortages, I decided to order more needles this evening. Back in 2013, I wrote a blog post about canning lids being the weak link in canning. Here’s what I wrote then:
I’ve always felt that canning lids were the weak link in preserving our food. Jars and rings can be re-used over and over but if there are no lids, there is no canning. So, I will always have a good supply of Tattler re-sealable lids.
I’ve been thinking about the tapestry needles ever since I heard about the tariffs. I looked at some of my needles and they were made in Japan. I asked Vince if there would ever be a chance they would be hard to get and he said “anything is possible”. I have a decent stash of linen and floss but I do not have a great stash of needles. While I didn’t order enough to say I have a great stash, I ordered enough to get me through a while if the needles get hard to find.
Please don’t think I’m saying needles are going to be hard to get! I am not saying that at all . . I’m just saying . . what if??
And, I didn’t order enough that Fat Quarter Shop is even going to wonder why I’m ordering so many!
I checked prices at several places and The Fat Quarter Shop had the best prices I saw on the needles I like. And, they have free shipping on orders over $80.
Mostly I stitch on 40 count linen but will sometimes stitch on 36 count and my preferred needle is Piecemakers Tapestry, size 28. I have a love/dislike relationship with Pony needles. I have some of the white eye needles and when I’m running the tail through stitches on the back side of the piece, I sometimes struggle to get it through but Pony black hypoallergenic needles seem to go through on the back side a bit better so I ordered a few of those. I love Pony needles when stitching on Fox & Rabbit linen . . don’t know why. I have never tried Lori Holt’s tapestry needles but how could anything Lori Holt has her name on not be fantastic? So, I ordered a few of those too.
No, I didn’t order $80 in needles. I added some of Lori Holt’s library cards so I could get free shipping. I’ve ordered the library cards from Amazon but like Lori’s better. I find them to be thicker and the cards are double sided. If you haven’t seen Lori’s Flosstube where she shows how she uses them, she fills out all the info on the card – chart, floss, linen, any changes she made, who she stitched it for, etc. She keeps them in the project bags to make any notes as she stitches. Once finished and framed, she sticks the card on the back so all the info is there for anyone who wants to see it some day.
Carol A Funicelli says
My favorite needles were John James Petites size 28… but they quit making them. I recently purchased some Colonial Tapestry Petites from 123 Stitch… 6 needles were $3.77… so far I’m very happy with them and will probably stock up because it is hard to find the petite needles.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That’s so aggravating when you can no longer get the needles (or anything else) you love. I have tried some brand of petites but I think because of the death grip I keep on my needles, the petites made my right hand hurt but if I find some here, I will give the another try.
DebMac says
I do like Bohin tapestry needles. I’m sure I still have some DMC or Hobby Lobby needles in stash somewhere still but after someone sent me a free Bohin, I was hooked. I use them until they don’t glide nicely through the holes any more or I loose them. I stitch on 28 to 40 count and match the needle to hole; sometimes I have to try a couple before I get the perfect match. I like the needle to have just a bit of grab on the fabric. In other words. if I place a needle perpendicular to the fabric, it stays in the hole. I find Bohin to be sturdy and long lasting and they feel good in hand. I haven’t tried many other needles as I like Bohin so well but did try the ball points which I disliked. I remember way back when I occasionally stitched with a sharp needle after running out of tapestry needles. We didn’t have multiple choices of needles or many places to find them.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I should try the Bohins. I may have some here. I’m a bender, and if I make it through a project without a bent needle, I’m proud of myself. Thanks for responding to my question!
Faye says
I am currently using EdMar needles – I have both 26 28 needles. I typically stitch on 32/16 or 36/18 linen and Aida. I have been happy with the needles. I have used DMC and John James as well. I will need to order more as well. I don’t want to have to search for them when needed. Thanks, Judy, for everything you share with us! ?
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thankfully needles are fairly inexpensive, compared to linen and floss. Like you, I do not want to have to spend time searching or getting caught up in a frenzy.
Becky says
I love, love Bohin needles. I use size 28 mostly, sometimes 26 on lower thread count linen. They are polished lengthwise so slide through the fabric like butter. I couldn’t believe the improvement in my stitches after using John James for so many years.