Needles And Their Sizes

[amphibious]

Ah, so I am apparently using a 24. That's appropriate for the 14 count I have been using, so I must have known what I was doing at the time I bought them

But I think I might try a thinner one... that must be really useful for when you use more strands as well.

[evilcarrot]

I find that I break the eyes on thin tapestry needles easily, mainly when I'm trying to wedge the thing under some stitches in the back. The tapestry needles also seem more bendy than embroidery needles. If I can think of a good way to blunt the tips of embroidery needles, I'd actually prefer them due to the smaller eyes and less breakage. Maybe running the tip across the brick on my fireplace would do it?

Now I want short, or "petite" needles... I've always thought they'd make much more sense for cross stitching but could never find any. Now that I know they exist, I'm going searching!

[Lord Libidan]

If I can think of a good way to blunt the tips of embroidery needles, I'd actually prefer them due to the smaller eyes and less breakage. Maybe running the tip across the brick on my fireplace would do it?!

I wouldn't suggest it. You'd make it blunt, but you'd also make little ridges that would snag on the thread and cloth. I do believe you can get blunt embroidery needles though. You may have to search for them, but I have a few somewhere...

[Yurtle]

I thought I would also note here that you should keep the needles that you're using for metallic thread separate from the needles you're using for your normal DMC, and especially separate if you use silk floss. The metallic thread will make the inside of the eye on your needle very rough and will actually cause it to break ove time. If you're using regular floss on the same needle after using metal, you may find that your floss will break very easily where it goes through the eye.

[sublimelmf]

I thought I would also note here that you should keep the needles that you're using for metallic thread separate from the needles you're using for your normal DMC, and especially separate if you use silk floss. The metallic thread will make the inside of the eye on your needle very rough and will actually cause it to break ove time. If you're using regular floss on the same needle after using metal, you may find that your floss will break very easily where it goes through the eye.

Interesting... I recently used metallic thread for the first time and then noticed the eyes on my needles were breaking when I went back to regular floss, but didn't know the two were connected. I thought my needle was just too thin or something. Thanks for the tip!

[LinkIsMyHomeboy]

I guess I've gotten lucky because I have never experienced any of these problems. I don't find my needles bending, breaking, oxidizing or flaking off. I've used the same needle to go back and forth between regular floss and metallic floss and never had any issues with breakage. The only problem I have is losing them. I have a poor habit of putting my needles in my shirt or pants when I'm working on a project and then forget about them and they get lost somewhere. Luckily, no feet have found them.

[monkeypeaches]

On another note, I believe that needle sizes may be different in the US than the UK. My embroidery needles range in size from 5 to 10. Or am I missing something... (that is entirely possible! )

Yes. Cross stitch needles are tapastry needles, where as embroidery needles are sharper, have a smaller eye, they have different numbering. I'm not sure what size is best or anything though...

As Libidan mentioned, embroidery needles are sharper and have a smaller eye than tapastry needles. Most people use tapastry needles for their cross stitching, but if you have never tried using embroidery needles, I would highly recommend buying a pack to see which you prefer. I actually love using embroidery needles instead because their sharp end seems to avoid snagging on the threads of previous stitches as much. Try them and see if they help!

[hadaad]

Resurrecting an old thread, I know, but I was wondering what needles people have had success with on 28 count evenweave.

[blackmageheart]

Resurrecting an old thread, I know, but I was wondering what needles people have had success with on 28 count evenweave.

I tend to use a 26 for most counts because I like to, but that's just me. Depends what you are stitching on the 28 count. I've heard it recommended that you use a 24, I believe, although if you're doing tiny things or fractionals you may want to use something a bit smaller (like my 26 or even a 28.)
Like anything in this craft, I believe it's really up to you - what you like and what you feel comfortable using!

[hadaad]

I tend to use a 26 for most counts because I like to, but that's just me. Depends what you are stitching on the 28 count. I've heard it recommended that you use a 24, I believe, although if you're doing tiny things or fractionals you may want to use something a bit smaller (like my 26 or even a 28.)
Like anything in this craft, I believe it's really up to you - what you like and what you feel comfortable using!

Do people really do half-stitches on 28-count over one? That's hardcore right there.