Cross stitch needles: choosing the best needle for you

[@ladycobra3]

I started crosstitching more than 40 yrs ago but walked away from it for many years and have decided to pick it back up. Back when I was doing crosstitch, we did not have YT to help us or give us tips. I decided to try YT to see what may have changed in the years that I have been away. I have to say out of all the channels I have watched, your channel has been the best.

[@peacockandfig]

Awww so glad you've found it helpful! 😊💕

[@stephaniefoster2899]

Thank you for your lovely videos & oh so snarky designs! Fun fact: wire & needle gauge numbers refer to 1/3 the number of times the wire was pulled to achieve the desired diameter. For example, a size 20 needle or wire is pulled 60 times, while a size 24 needle or wire is pulled 72 times. That is why the number increases as the size decreases.

[@peacockandfig]

Oooohhhhh that makes perfect sense, thanks Stephanie! I knew there had to be a reason, but I couldn't figure out what it was. 😀❤

[@sgarber8813]

Very informative, I'm excited to try the twin points and the easy guide. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in for us the public. It's much appreciated

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂

[@libbystitches811]

I ordered the Magic Guide needle and I received it this week and I love it! I have already ordered a few more in case I lose one! It glides through the fabric and I’m not sticking myself all the time!

[@peacockandfig]

Libby Stitches I know right! They really do glide through the fabric easier 😄♥️

[@d2765z]

Thanks Dana ! Great tutorial! Love the bit of humor too!

[@peacockandfig]

Hahaha thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the tutorial, and you should see my more recent collections if you like humour mixed in with stitching. I'm beginning to become quite well known for pretty but snarky patterns... 😂❤

[@rozeevy4305]

Thank you for this video. I'm going to try the Easy Guide needle. Have a 14 count to stitch. Will try on 16 and 18 count. I appreciate the tutorials. You give clear instructions and demonstrate so we can see what you're doing.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha great, I'm sure you'll enjoy your new needles Roseana! 🙂

[@anngutierrez5844]

Hi Dana, very informative! I'm glad you sent notification regarding this class. Good info. Thanks for sharing...

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Ann! Happy stitching! 🙂

[@ivoryandcat]

I have one of those twin pointed needles, I've had it forever and I don't know where I got it, It's just been sitting in a pin cushion because I didn't know what it's practical use was. Now I know, I'll try it out on my large project next time I pull it out to work on.

[@peacockandfig]

Nice, have fun with it! 🙂

[@stephaniegreer8818]

I have never seen the twin pointed needles before, I will have to try them Out! Thank you for the video.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Stephanie! Happy stitching! :)

[@trinaportner4125]

Your stand that you were demonstrating fine where did you get that at

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Trina! I actually got it from an auction, but it's a K's Creation lap stand. 🙂

[@susannoble4252]

I'm working on a project with an incredible amount of 3/4 and 1/4 stitches. What is the best needle to use so that I'm not punching through the fabric? I believe I need to be sure to pierce the fabric for the 1/4 stitch rather than just "popping" it through which is what I seem to be doing now. thanks!!

[@peacockandfig]

I'd use an embroidery needle Susan, that makes it so much easier to pierce the fabric for fractionals. It is a lot sharper though, so beware that sharp tip.... 🙂

[@ytlioune]

Thank you so much for your very informative videos! I’m new to cross stitching, I was wondering if there was anything you could do to prevent your needles from turning black, or what to do once they do? Thank you in advance!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi there! Unfortunately that has to do both with the quality of the needle and your own personal body chemistry -- I turn needles black too. The only ones I don't are the Easy Guide needles I featured in the video, the ones with the little ball tip. They're made of German steel, and it takes months for me to even notice that the finish is very slightly starting to get dull (as opposed to a week of stitching with any other needle and having it go black). So yeah, I'd try those needles, here's a link to her shop -- www.etsy.com/shop/TheEasyGuideNeedle 🙂

[@trinaportner4125]

I love your pin cushion shoe what do you get that at

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Trina! I have no idea, if memory serves it was a 30th birthday present. 🙂

[@rhondahelfand6089]

what about gold plated eyes. are these any better?

[@peacockandfig]

It depends on your body chemistry and the quality of the plating - I can wear gold plating off a needle in a week flat, my hands are very acidic. Once plating starts to wear off, it can create more friction than if it wasn't plated in the first place. 😊

[@raqueljpolanco]

Hello, what size of the twin pointed needles to use on a 14 count Aida cloth.

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Raquel! I've got a size 24 and size 26 set, I was using the size 26 in the video (and that's what I'd generally use for 14 count, but it does depend on your floss as you may need a bit more space in the eye, thus a size 24). 😊

[@raqueljpolanco]

@@peacockandfig I use DMC floss on my cross stitch pattern. What do you think will work better.

[@JennarationXX]

Your videos are so helpful, thank you! I'm curious what you think of gold-plated embroidery needles ~ I really love the way they feel & glide initially, but I also find the finish seems to wear off quite fast. Do you like them? Is there any fix for that, or do you just have to keep replacing them frequently? Seems like such a waste.

[@peacockandfig]

Hi there! There is no fix for the gold plating wearing off, it's usually a very thin layer. Particularly if your hands tend to turn needles black (like me), the finish will wear off even faster. There's not much you can do about it unfortunately.

[@orisarijose]

Dana, thank you for your videos, they are amazing.... I have a question what table stand do you recommend, to have my hands free and work on the project, I see part of yours here in this video but I will like to know your recommendation. thanks again

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Angela! It completely depends on what style of stand you like (like whether you want a lap frame or a stand that goes in front of or next to your chair ). It also depends on your budget, the handcrafted frames are more expensive but much higher quality. I know many people like the Millennium frames, and you can get neat adjustable lap frames like K's Creations frames (I have a small one as well as the one in the video). I recently just bought a Lowery stand from sewandso.co.uk, it's a metal clamp stand that sits next to your chair and can be raised and lowered, and can hold a hoop too. I needed one that can sit to the side of my chair as I stitch reclined, but you can also get clamp stands from places like Michaels. If you're working on really big projects, you'll either need a frame that can sit on a table, or a big special built frame that can hold a really wide scroll frame. I often stitch in hand too (no frame or hoop at all), then I can do the sewing method which is a lot faster. So it's all personal preference and what size your project is (like a clamp stand won't work with a really wide project, it might tip over). Hope that helps! 🙂

[@orisarijose]

Thank you for your prompt response, and your willingness to help others, I am a beginner so I am watching all your videos this weekend to learn as much as possible , good information, greatly appreciated.

[@peacockandfig]

You're welcome Angela, happy stitching! 🙂

[@forsure354]

Thank you. I’ve learned a lot!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome, happy stitching! :)

[@rhondahelfand6089]

my problem is threading. Even licking infant get through eye. i want to be able to be able to thread without a threader. Which is best for me. Easy guide. tulip or john james etc

[@peacockandfig]

You'll have to try out a few and see which is easier for you Rhonda, the Easy Guide needle eyes are similar to a regular sewing needle, they're not as fat or wide as a normal tapestry needle so they may be a bit harder for you. I'd really try not to lick your floss, that will rust the eyes of your needles. My needle threader tutorial shows how I personally thread my needles, by folding the floss over the eye then squishing it through the eye. 🙂

[@rhondahelfand6089]

@@peacockandfig have you tried those tulip hiroshima needles. i know how to use threaders. i like to avoid them

[@FrostyXStitch]

Very interesting, thank you❣️

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome! :D

[@AntheaOswin]

People are saying I shouldn’t use size 26 needle with 18 count Aida because it could be too big, do you agree? I just bought the aida so I don’t feel like ordering in only the size 28 needles because shipping is a little steep :/

[@peacockandfig]

Don't worry about what "people" say Anthea, just use what you have, it'll be fine. If your needle is too big, all that will happen is there might be a bit more friction when you're putting the needle through the fabric, or it might push the fabric weave apart a bit too much. But the fabric has memory, usually it will naturally try to go back to where it was over time. So don't worry about it, use what you have. 😊

[@lorettahenderson8979]

Thank you 😊

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Loretta! 🙂

[@helenmerkis6420]

Why do some people not realize that having gross nails when demonstrating something that closely shows your nails is just bad. I can’t even watch …..🤮

[@peacockandfig]

Bahahah then don't, you're perfectly welcome to go find another channel Helen. Why don't some people realize that working with chronic pain and doing FREE videos to help people learn and grow as crafters sometimes means that you'd rather get a video out than even consider what your hands look like, because people have been asking for help? If you're so busy looking at my nails, you're doing it wrong. Oh and Happy International Women's Day.