needles

No. Sizing of thread and needles are different and not really related to each other. Also different kinds of needles have different kinds and shapes of eyes. Can't remember right off which is size 8 perle cotton. But you probably want an embroidery or crewel needle if applying to regular type fabric. A blunt pointed tapestry needle is used when doing counted thread work, or any work on a looser weave fabric. Tia Mary will probably have more ideas on this one......

Have fun, Pati, > Does "size 8 perle cotton" mean it will take a size 8 needle?

Karen, Queen of Squishies wrote:

OK -- this is likely to be more info that anyone is interested in but what-the-hey -- I'm Irish and like to go on -- LOLOL! Size 8 perle refers to the thickness of the fiber which is round and has a fairly "hefty" diameter compared to regular floss. The most common are sizes are 5, 8, 10 & 12 -- diameter of the fiber getting smaller as the number goes up. The *type* of needle you would need will depend on the fabric you are stitching on. I have trouble remembering which *name* of needle goes with which type of needlework but I'll use the names I *think* are correct. EMBROIDERY needles usually have a sharp pointed end (it needs to pierce the fabric which is usually tightly woven like quilting cotton or muslin, etc.) and a longer eye to accommodate multiple strands (3 or

4 usually) of floss. CREWEL needles will have the sharp pointed end (also to pierce the fabric) and a rounder eye to accommodate the heavier wool, acrylic, metallic & specialty fibers or *lots* of strands of floss that are used. As Pati said, TAPESTRY needles have a blunt, rounded end with a longer, wider eye to accommodate the multiple strands of floss, etc. used when stitching on needlepoint canvas, aida or other types of more loosely woven needlework fabrics. There are also needles made specifically for doing ribbon embroidery

-- this might be of interest to the crazy quilters who embellish their finished projects. Compared to other needles, these needles are VERY heavy with very large eyes to accommodate the width of the ribbon and open a wider hole so that the ribbon doesn't fray as it is pulled through the fabric. They also have a very sharp, pointed end to help pierce the different fabrics used in ribbon embroidery. ALL of these needles will have a larger diameter as the size number gets smaller. I think they get shorter but I'm not sure about that.. For size 8 perle, try a size 22 needle -- crewel if you are working with closely woven fabrics and a tapestry needle if you are working on something like aida or needlepoint canvas. The aim is to use a needle whose eye is large enough to comfortably accommodate your floss **AND** open up a large enough hole in the fabric so that there is less "drag" on the fiber as it is pulled through. If you buy DMC needles, look at the package the needles come in. You will see that there is a description of the needle and what it is commonly used for. Look at the eye of the needle and see if it will accommodate the perle cotton which is a very round fiber -- meaning a rounder hole is better. You can use embroidery & crewel needles when working on even weave needlework fabrics, you just have to be **very** careful not to pierce the threads of the fabric!! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

That is just the kind of instruction I needed! Thank you! I am quilting with size 8 perle cotton to get a particular look. So if I read this right, I will look for a crewel needle, size 22. Thanks again!

Karen, Queen of Squishies

Great refresher! i had forgotten about Crewel needles, been a long time since i did one of those projects. Good luck, Karen! Pictures when you're done, Please!!

amy in CNY

So what are you working on? I'm curious to know since sz 8 perle is not common for use in quilting unless you are working on a crazy quilt. Are you aware that it comes in a bunch of colors other than white, ecru and black? Just thought I would mention that -- a little fiber enabling never hurts :-)! CiaoMeow >^;;^<