What kind of needle to be used for Ribbon Embroidery?

Needle is most important tool to embroidery work and crafts. In order to make the easy embroidery needlework, the type of needle is also important. Referring to Di Van Kierk, there are only 5 types of needles you need for Ribbon embroidery needlework.

1. Chenille - a sharp pointed thick needle with a large eye. Size 18 for the 7mm ribbons and wool. In a mixed pack of needles, the lower the number the thicker the needle. The no 18 needle is the largest. Size 20 or 22 for the 4mm ribbons. Size 24 for the 2mm ribbons and for perlé cotton. You will also use one of the above for any yarns remember the needle needs to make a large enough hole in the fabric for the yarn to pass through easily.

2. Crewel (embroidery) - a sharp fine needle with a long, large eye. Sizes 3 - 7 for perlé cotton, Rayon and 3 to 6 strands of cotton silk and metallic threads. Sizes 8 - 10 for 1 or 2 strands of cotton, silk, rayon and metallic thread.

3. Straw (milliners) - a long sharp needle with small eye. (The eye is no wider than the shaft) This is the only needle to use for bullion knots. The wraps slip off the needle easily as the eye is not too wide. Also ideal for beading. Size 9 - 11 for one strand of stranded silk cotton or rayon, ideal for beading. Size 5 - 9 for two to four strands of silk, cotton, rayon or no 8-perlé thread.

4. Tapestry needles: as for the chenille needles in 1 above but with a blunt tip. You may wish to use this blunt needle for some of the surface stitches so that you don't snag the ribbon by mistake.

5. Betweens (quilting needles) size 1 to 12. These are short sharp needles that are good for French knots, and fast, even stitches such as seeding, running stitch; back stitch.