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Pulling and stretching the fabric can be achieved using different cross-stitch needle sizes. However, using cross stitch needles that are too small can cause the floss to get “lost” in the fabric. To get the most remarkable results from your knitting, you’ll need to know which needles are best what to look for as you’re getting started.

If you’re new to cross-stitching, you might start by using needles you already have in your collection. In the future, you’ll discover that there are a variety of tapestry needles sizes you can use to achieve varied results in your cross-stitch project.

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Selecting the Right Needle Variant

While you may always use whatever needle you choose, this guide will offer you a good starting point for selecting the proper needle size for your cloth.

Specialized Needle: Using a specific needle for a particular stitch, such as a French knot. You may not need these kinds of needles, so initial research is necessary. However, if you practice it enough, you can use an ordinary cross stitch needle to learn a stitch.
Gold-plated Needle: If you suffer from allergies, a gold-plated needle is the best option for you. Gold-plated jewelry is worth the extra cost if you suffer from allergies, even if it does fade off over time.
Double-eyed Needle: Using a double-eyed needle makes it easier to blend colors or work with two hues near one other. This needle variant is an excellent option for those who don’t want to change their floss constantly. In addition, these needles are ideal if you don’t want to leave a trail of floss on your fabric.

Choosing the Right Cross-Stitch Needles Sizes

Cross-stitch needles in sizes 24 and 26 are the most widely used; however, needles in size 20 to size 28 are also available. Because the eye is so fragile, only use one strand of stranded cotton when using a size 28.

Cross stitch needle sizes should be chosen to fit the count of the fabric you’re stitching on. Use the table below to determine the cross-stitch needle sizes you’ll need.

For a 28-count evenweave fabric over two strands, use size 24 cross stitch needles.
For a 32-count evenweave fabric over two strands, use size 26 cross stitch needles.
For a 36-count evenweave fabric over two strands, use size 28 cross stitch needles.
For a 22-count Hardanger fabric, use size 26 cross stitch needles.
For a 6-count Aida fabric, use size 18 cross stitch needles.
For an 8-count Aida fabric, use size 20 cross stitch needles.
For an 11 count Aida fabric, use size 22 cross stitch needles.
For a 14-count Aida fabric, use size 24 cross stitch needles.
For a 16-count Aida fabric, use size 26 cross stitch needles.
For an 18-count Aida fabric, use size 28 cross stitch needles.

How To Choose the Right Size of Cross-Stitch Needles?

Depending on the project, you may need to change the needle size accordingly. Old needles with markings or rough places should be thrown away, as they can harm threads and fabric.

As your fabric choice changes, so do your needle sizes while stitching in counted cross stitch. To avoid puncturing the fabric, you must use a needle that is not sharp enough. Also, as you sew, be careful not to split the fibers.

Since the nickel plating of needles can vary, some stitchers prefer gold-plated needles because they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. If you aren’t using gold-plated needles, be sure to remove your needle from the fabric before putting it away to avoid leaving a mark.

Make sure your needle’s size matches your thread’s size before using it in a sewing project. Using a needle that is too thin can cause harm to the thread since it will be difficult to pass the thread through the embroidery cloth. Fretting over this can often result in unraveling and the dreaded fuzzies.
Too-thick needles leave a hole around the finished stitch that may never close. In addition, needle bluntness prevents the needle tip from piercing the cloth where it should not be for Aida or other fabrics with visible holes.
Depending on the fabric you’ll be stitching through, you’ll need a needle with a different tip or point. For example, a needle with a sharp tip is required to penetrate tightly woven textiles such as linen and even-weave fabrics.

Choosing the right needle eye size

There are some differences between needles used for cross-stitch, embroidery, and sewing. Unlike embroidery and sewing, cross-stitching does not necessitate the use of a sharp needlepoint.

When beading, a needle with a smaller or thinner eye works best. A single strand of thread is used with these needles, which are usually thinner down.
A needle with a smaller eye is recommended for working with seed beads. With larger beads and sequins, you can increase the size of your project.
Cross-stitching needs have blunted tips, but needles for embroidery and sewing have sharper tapered ends. In addition, needles for cross-stitching are designed with larger, rounder eyes to allow for more floss to pass through.

What Happens If You Choose the Wrong Tapestry Needles Sizes?

Cross-stitchers commonly use tapestry needles. Use a tapestry needle with a blunt point and large eyes to thread a needle.

Your sewing thread may not be able to fill a giant hole if the needle is too large, as the threads of the fabric will be pushed apart. Conversely, when you use a too-small needle, your stitching threads are subjected to unnecessary wear and tear.

Because of the open weave of cross stitch fabric, the blunt tip will assist you in avoiding separating the threads and stitching in the wrong position by accident. Fabric’s ability to work with floss depends on the size of your needle.

Beginners and professional sewers alike frequently mistake using the wrong type of sewing needle. It can cause needle breakage, trouble working with the chosen cloth, and poor stitch quality.

Needles can wear out over time, affecting the user’s experience and the quality of the finished product. However, when you switch to a needle explicitly made for the task at hand, you may notice a significant improvement.