Needlecrafts Crochet Crochet Basics

A Beginner's Guide to Tapestry Needles in Crochet Projects

Tapestry with needle
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A tapestry needle is a hand-sewing needle that is useful to needleworkers who do a variety of different craft techniques: cross stitch, embroidery, sewing, crochet, knitting, and others.

This resource is an introduction to tapestry needles for crochet enthusiasts and centers on information that is relevant specifically to crochet projects. This information also would be helpful for knitters who might want to use tapestry needles to perform the same general sorts of tasks that crocheters would, using the same sorts of materials and supplies.

  • 01 of 06

    What Is a Tapestry Needle?

    Needle, Wool, and Thimble
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    A tapestry needle is a blunt needle with a large eye. The large eye is useful to needleworkers because it can accommodate threads or fibers that are thicker than ordinary sewing thread. Most tapestry needles are large enough to accommodate crochet thread or embroidery floss, and many are large enough to accommodate yarn as well. Larger tapestry needles are even able to accommodate bulky yarn.

  • 02 of 06

    Tapestry Needles vs. Darning Needles for Use in Crochet Projects

    Bent Tapestry Needles and Large-Eyes Blunt Steel Darning Yarn Stitching Needles Sewing Needles

     Amazon

    Tapestry needles and darning needles are similar; both types of needles have blunt tips and large eyes. In some cases, there's essentially no difference between what one manufacturer might call a "tapestry needle" and another might call a "darning needle." In other cases, there is a difference in that darning needles can be a bit longer than tapestry needles.

    Due to this, it's difficult to conclusively say that one is better than the other, so just use whichever one suits your needs best.

  • 03 of 06

    Tapestry Needles vs. Yarn Needles for Use in Crochet Projects

    Zhanmai 24 Pieces Yarn Needle Steel Bent Tapestry Knitting Needle Large Sewing Needles with Plastic Box for Weaving Yarn

     Amazon 

    Yarn needles are also similar to tapestry needles. Needles that are packaged as "yarn needles" are sometimes made of plastic; you'd find them merchandised in craft store aisles with crochet hooks and knitting needles, whereas you most frequently find tapestry needles merchandised alongside embroidery hoops and embroidery floss. Tapestry needles are usually made of metal.

    Crocheters who prefer to work with yarn can usually use tapestry needles and yarn needles interchangeably. It comes down to a matter of preference.

  • 04 of 06

    How to Use a Tapestry Needle

    Blue thread going through needle eye
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    It's really easy to use a tapestry needle. You just thread it with the thread, floss or yarn of your choice, and then proceed from there.

    For threading the needle, it's usually easiest to use a needle threader. A threader is helpful, but it isn't necessary. To thread the needle without a threader, just stick the end of the yarn or thread through the eye of the needle and pull through a length of the thread or yarn.

    Continue to 5 of 6 below
  • 05 of 06

    What Is a Tapestry Needle Best Used for?

    Red love heart made with needle and thread
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    There are several tasks that crocheters and knitters use tapestry needles to accomplish:

    Weaving in Ends

    You will use both a tapestry needle and a needle threader for weaving in ends, avoiding loose threads.

    Sewing Seams

    Tapestry needles are good tools to whip stitch seams closed, and to join afghan squares together. It is worth noting that there are ways to sew seams and join pieces that don't require a needle at all—you can use a crochet hook for some joining methods.

    Cross Stitching or Embroidering on Crochet Work

    Some crochet stitches, such as afghan stitch and single crochet, are square enough that you can work cross stitch onto them instead of using a more traditional background of Aida fabric. This is a useful technique to know if you'd like to introduce interesting pattern designs and multiple colors into your crochet work, without having to resort to tapestry crochet techniques. Knitters and crocheters can both embroider onto their handmade fabrics using tapestry needles.

    Beyond just crochet and knitting, tapestry needles are also useful for:

    • Embroidery
    • Cross stitch
    • Needlepoint
  • 06 of 06

    Tapestry Needle Sizes

    Tapestry needles in various sizes

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    Tapestry needles come in a variety of sizes; the needles are numbered, and you can use the numbers to get an idea of the needle's relative size. Larger needles = smaller numbers; smaller needles = larger numbers.

    How to Choose a Tapestry Needle

    For crochet and knitting, use the smallest needle that will easily accommodate the thread or yarn you're working with. You want to avoid using a massive big needle on a dainty thread crochet project. You probably won't physically be able to use a teeny-tiny needle on a great big bulky project; if the fiber won't fit comfortably through the eye of the needle, choose a larger needle. Avoid using needles that are too small, because they can damage or shred your fiber, weakening the project or possibly even ruining it.

    With cross stitch, needlepoint and embroidery, your choice of needle sizes will be critical to the success of your project.