Once thought of as old fashioned, hand embroidery is making a big comeback in the sewing community. Everything from quilts to tea towels and clothing to hats are being embellished with beautiful embroidery by hand. If you’re new to hand embroidery, we know you’ll have some questions such as what types of needles to use for embroidery, and whether or not a beginner needs a specific type of embroidery needle to get started. We are here to answer all of these questions (and more!). 

Hand Embroidery Needle Sizes

Once you’ve gathered up a bundle of gorgeous embroidery floss and chosen your project, you'll need the right kind of hand embroidery needle to get the job done. We are often asked what size needle to use with embroidery floss - and the answer might surprise you, because the embroidery needle size you need is actually dependent on the thickness of your fabric AND thread. 

Embroidery needle sizes run from 1-12 and the general rule is: the smaller the number, the larger the needle. So, depending on which fabric and thread you choose, you’ll need different hand embroidery needle sizes. And while there's no difference between needles for beginners and more advanced embroiderers,  you may want a larger eye to make threading easier when you are just getting started.

Types of Hand Embroidery Needles

There are many types of needles for hand embroidery and sewing. Here are some common types of needles for hand work and what they do:

1. Embroidery Needles have a sharp point and a long, narrow eye that makes them ideal for fine embroidery work.

2. Crewel Needles are similar to embroidery needles but have a longer shaft, which makes them suitable for working with thicker threads or yarns.

3. Tapestry needles have a blunt tip and larger eyes than embroidery needles, making them ideal for weaving and stitching on thicker fabrics or canvases. 

4. Chenille needles have a long, thick shaft and a sharp point, making them suitable for working with thicker threads or yarns, such as in crewel or ribbon embroidery.

5. Darning needles have a long, blunt tip that allows them to pass easily through the fabric without damaging it, and a large eye that can accommodate thicker yarns or threads used for mending fabric. 

6. Milliner’s needles are long and slender, with a small round eye and a sharp tip that allows them to pass through tightly woven or layered materials.

7. Beading needles are very thin and have a long, narrow eye, making them ideal for working with small beads and sequins. 

These are just a few examples of the most common types of hand embroidery needles, and there are many other types available that are suited for specific embroidery techniques or materials.

Now that you know a little bit more about hand embroidery needles, get stitching with us in the fun tutorial below where you'll learn how to create an “I Heart Quilting” hand embroidery project. Courtenay and Misty will help you know which hand embroidery needle you need and get stitching! Shop our selection of the best hand embroidery needles and machine embroidery needles here at Missouri Star.