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To achieve a nice-looking
cross-stitch piece of art it is important to use the correct needle when
cross-stitching. Most kits include one, however if you are starting on
your own, here are some good suggestions.
Notice the two needles shown
above. The needle to the left is a hand needle which is used for
hand sewing. The needle to the right is an embroidery needle used for
cross-stitching. The average size needle used for cross-stitching is
22-24.
Notice the difference in the
eye of the needles. The needle to the left is for hand sewing, mending, or
quilting. Notice how small the eye of the needle is. It is just
large enough to fit one layer of thread in it. The embroidery needle to
the right has a much larger and longer eye and can handle 2-6 layers of
embroidery floss which is much thicker than thread as shown in the photo
below.
Notice how thing regular
green sewing thread is on the left compared to three strands of embroidery
floss on the right in the purple and yellow.
Notice the difference in the
points of the two needles above. The sewing needle has a sharp point
to help it go through one or more layers of fabric. The point must
be sharp to be able to do this. The cross-stitch needle on the right
has a wide dull end to it allowing you to guide your needle better when
trying to slide it through the holes of your canvas.
When hand sewing, you need a
sharp needle to go through layers of tightly woven fabrics. When
cross-stitching you need a needle with a dull rounded point to it to get
into the holes that are already provided for you on your cross-stitch
canvas as shown in the photo above. The photo has been enlarge a
great deal to show the fine threads. Using a sharp needle for cross-stitch would be frustrating
because the sharpness of the needle would keep catching on the threads
around the hole in the canvas instead of going into the hole.
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