Needle size?

[aussie_stitcher]

Hi everyone,

So until recently, most of my projects were on 14 ct aida, excepting a few kits that were 18 ct aida that came with the correct sized needle included. Now I'm doing a non-kit 18 ct aida and I need to figure out which size needle to buy to fit through the holes without it squeaking on the fabric. (my poor ears hate that noise!!!) I'm stitching with 2 strands because that's what I've always done. The lady at the sewing shop said that a size 22 needle would work, but that looked way too big, and I don't think she knew much about cross stitch. I didn't buy them and was wondering what size I should get?

[fccs]

I think the general rule is 18 count = size 28 needle (14 count = size 24, 16 count = size 26), and it's an easy one to remember.

[aussie_stitcher]

That sounds nice and easy to remember, thanks!

[Stitchinkitty]

I use a 26 or a 28 on everything.I just like the feel of those sizes..

[rcperryls]

I use 24 or 26 size needles on 18 ct fabric, though it's not aida so I'm sure it feels differently when sewing on the afghan cloth. I use 28 size on fabrics 22 ct and larger (25, 28 or 32 ct fabric). I think the size depends on what you feel comfortable with on a fabric. As long as the needle goes through the fabric smoothly, I am happy with it.

Carole

[LadyS]

I mostly use 26 and 28 depending on fabric, I tend to like smaller needles overall although I will sometimes work with a 24. The rule of thumb of 24 for 14 ct, 26 for 16 and 28 for 18 ct seems pretty good to me.

[MaggieM1750]

I would agree.. the woman at the shop didn't know what she was talking about. A size 22 needle would not work well on 18 ct fabric. I would assume that you have been using a 24 from your 14ct kits.. a 22 is bigger than that.

I use a petite 26 most often.. John James brand, in the bright yellow packaging. But sometimes I'll grab a full length 26, or a 28. It all really depends on what needle package is closest.
I haven't noticed any difference between brands of needles- I buy John James because 1) they have petites, 2) its what my LNS stocks and 3) its easy to spot that bright yellow package. I've picked up packs of Piecemakers, Bohnin and Mary Arden.. just to try them out. Some may, but I don't notice a difference.

And, look for tapestry needles. They have the rounded tip. I don't know if sharps are sized the same, but if you are staring at a big wall of needles, you want blunts, or tapestry.

[Rose]

Oh no, if you do not like the squeak of the needle on fabric the 22 will never do. That lady had no clue.

Like a lot of the ladies I use 26 most often and then 28 when I get to the smaller size like 18 ct.

[elementaryteacher77]

As usual, I find out new things on this forum ALL THE TIME!! So, I have NEVER paid attention to needle size and just always grab whatever is closet. Didn't think it really mattered. Now that I am "older and wiser" ha, I have noticed that if they were too small, they'd slip back through the hole before I could pull it up, and if they were too big, they'd make my hole bigger! Never really connected using correct needle size with cloth size. Then, Meagan put me to shame on our stitch weekend when she pulled out her needle organizer to choose the correct size needle she needed for her project! The guide below is great, but then I guess I will need to know what size Aida or other material I am working on for it to be really helpful! I'm such an amateur!!!

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

I use a size 28 for everything from 18ct aida to 32ct linen and even for beading! The only time I change my needle size is when I'm using perle threads, I never change needle size for fabric, only thread type.

[Mystonique]

26 is my normal go to. I use 22 for tapestry on large canvas with wool!!! I'd have to be really desperate to use it on cross stitch.

I did use a 28 until a very picky woman at my class took a bugs eye magnifier to some of my work and said she could tell I used too small a needle because the fibres of the thread had "roughed" up because the needle hadn't opened up the hold adequately for the thread to "float" through ... I couldn't see it, no one else could see it but I got all paranoid after that lol.

[aussie_stitcher]

I did use a 28 until a very picky woman at my class took a bugs eye magnifier to some of my work and said she could tell I used too small a needle because the fibres of the thread had "roughed" up because the needle hadn't opened up the hold adequately for the thread to "float" through ... I couldn't see it, no one else could see it but I got all paranoid after that lol.

I wouldn't have been paranoid, I would have been annoyed at her nit picking! Really? It can't be seen without a magnifying glass and she still pointed it out? I hope you had more patience than I do, Myst!

Thanks everyone, I had an unopened box of size 26 needles, possibly petite because they look very small, I'll try those and if I have any trouble, I'll look for size 28 ones. Thanks for all the help!

[Allyn]

I use a size 28 for everything from 18ct aida to 32ct linen and even for beading! The only time I change my needle size is when I'm using perle threads, I never change needle size for fabric, only thread type.

What she said. I use John James petite 28s on everything. Any other size needle feels awkward and really big between my fingers.

I think if someone took a magnifying glass to look at someone's stitching -- mine or someone else's -- I'd have to tell her to piss off.

[cairee]

I think if someone took a magnifying glass to look at someone's stitching -- mine or someone else's -- I'd have to tell her to piss off.

I would probably in a sugary sweet voice tell them that cross stitch looks best when you stand back to look at it

I use 18ct and up and I have dozens of size 28 needles, a few 26 that came with kits but I dont find much use for them
I use 28 petites for 25-32ct and 28 regular for 18-22ct name brands mean nothing to me so long as its a tapestry needle

I had to buy bigger needles when I started hardanger, no way I could use pearl cotton with my lil 28 needles!

[Allyn]

I would probably in a sugary sweet voice tell them that cross stitch looks best when you stand back to look at it
...
I use 28 petites for 25-32ct and 28 regular for 18-22ct name brands mean nothing to me so long as its a tapestry needle

I tend to be blunt. Especially when I get riled.

It didn't matter to me what brand either. I thought a needle was a needle until a friend talked me into trying John James gold-plated needles. I don't want to use anything else now. They just glide through the fabric so nicely. They also have platinum needles, but they're a little too pricey so I stick with the gold-plated.

[Mystonique]

My friend and her bugs eye does upset a lot of people - I just take her as she is. And honestly she is never a worse critique with anyone else's work than her own. Her work is FLAWLESS - I could never hope to produce such beautiful work