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.
Romonia says
I’ve tried lots of brands of needles. I prefer the Piecemakers 28 needles when stitching on 36-40 count fabric. I use Piecemakers 26 for everything else. I can tell instantly if I have a different needle. the Piecemakers are so much easier to thread.
Kim Webb says
I use Bohin either 26 or 28 depending on the linen. One needle lasts me forever as I have never bent or broken a needle while using it.
justquiltin says
I like Bohin the best, something about the eye of it makes it easier for me to thread as well. But since I’m not a needle bender unless I lose one I don’t really have to throw away many needles.
Terri says
I have Piecemaker 28 and Bohin 28 and 26. I think I prefer the Piecemaker a little. I was a Pat Carson fan….. I’ve also just ordered the Colonial petites (50 off of Etsy for $16.95) for my 56ct on the recommendation of Brenda the Sampler Stitcher. Haven’t tried them yet, will work on my 56 in the next evening or so. I’m a bender also so will be interesting to see how they hold up. I think I’ll order a stash or Piecemakers now just in case. Thanks for the idea!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
If you remember, please let me know what you think about the Colonial petites. I doubt I’ll ever be stitching on 56 count but it would be good to know.
Diana says
I don’t have any needle preferences just use what I have but thought I’d mention something you might not be aware of and don’t know if it will make any difference in how things are distributed or where they come from. But I used to live near the Piecemakers store in Costa Mesa. Loved going there, took some classes, etc. I’d always heard they had a religious “undertone” but didn’t really care as long as they had what I wanted and they were always very nice. I’ve bought a pattern or two since we moved away and that’s how I got on their mailing list. Anyway got email a while back that their store had been closed by the county for various violations in Jan. 2025. Just googled their website and they’re still closed. Apparently their disputes with the county have not gone away and that’s how they got closed down. Lots of articles online to read if you’re interested. Just though I’d mention.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I have heard about their “issues” for many years. I think I first encountered complaints about them when we lived in Kentucky. We’ve been gone from there for almost 20 years so it is definitely an ongoing issue. Like you, I never cared – never bought much of anything from them til I came across their needles. Their needles are made in Japan, for whatever that’s worth. There are other needles I’m sure that will work for me if I can’t get those but if they become hard to find, at least I’ll know why. Thanks for the heads up.
selflessgenerously27dba8bc87 says
I like Thomas S. Sons and Permin needles the best. Both in size 28. I usually stitch on 40 or 46 ct. For 56 count I use John James Tapestry Beading needles in size 11 or 12. Permin are about 9.00 Cdn for 50 needles. They are made in Copenhagen I believe.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I am not sure I’ve ever seen Thomas S. Sons or Permin needles. I’ll have to see if I can find them and try them.