How often should you change your cross stitch needle?
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- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2024
- How long is it ok to keep using the same needle for your cross stitch?
Well, it might not be as long as you think!
I'm exploring why using old needles could be bad for your stitching and how to know when you should switch to a new one.
I'm sharing my plan for regular needle switching to ensure I always have the smoothest stitching experience and the neatest stitching!
Chapters;
00:00 Start
00:51 What happens to needles as you use them and why this could be bad for your cross stitch
03:58 Do gold needles last longer?
04:48 How to know when to change your needle
07:18 My plan for regular needle switching
08:17 Safe needle disposal
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I must confess, I've only ever changed a needle when I've lost or broken one!
When I use a kit, I save the needle 'just in case'
You've made me think now..... the one I'm currently using DOES feel rough going through the fabric and I am noticing wear on my thread. ......... off to find a new one!!!!
@@EllenPenney me too. I am noticing that also. 😂 especially after using kreinik threads.
Oooh, interesting that you noticed it after using Kreinik thread since that was one thought I had that it might cause quicker wear and tear on the needle...so maybe that really is the case?!
Yup, a lot of stitchers don't give needles much thought so I love being able to give you something to think about! I hope the new needle is an improvement for you and do let me know!
@@catkinandlillie it maybe that I just noticed it at that time. I did change to using a 22/24 needle on Kreinik. That seem to help that thread to hold up longer with less fraying but it could be just me. All I know after using it in a 26 my Kreinik seem to give me a bit of a problem but with a larger needle it seems to glide easier through the fabric to where I don’t need any lubricant on it.
But I have noticed it seems like the needles I used the kreinik in seem to make my floss get rough looking.
All I can say that this would be a great needle test for you. I use Bohin needles.
@@catkinandlillie your ideas I do try. So I will make a point to change my needles more often. Thank you for your advice.
You might find this helpful, or not… I just started a new pattern a couple of weeks ago. I began with a brand new size 26 Bohin needle. I’m exactly 8,118 stitches in. I had to frog a few times, so I’d estimate it’s closer to 8,200 stitches. My needle is still smooth, but severely tarnished. The eye looks alright, but I have noticed the thread tangling more easily. I’d usually keep using it until it’s no longer smooth, maybe another 500-1,000 stitches, but I think I’m going to throw it out and use a new one. My needles do wear out quickly and gold is worse than nickel. I don’t wear lotion and I wash my hands continuously throughout the day to avoid oil transfer. Great video as always!
That is definitely very helpful to know, so thank you for sharing that with me. It's nice to have some validation that what I find from research and my own experience is matched by what other stitchers experience. I hope you find the stitching less tangly with the new needle, and do let me know so I can add that to my understanding of this topic 😄
I don’t know how you find the time, but it’s much appreciated. ❤
Well working only 2 days a week helps a lot, but yeah, the videos take a LOT of time so thank you for letting me know it's appreciated. I also love diving down a rabbit hole and learning new stuff so it's very fun for me anyway 😄
I'm one of those people whose hands "eat" needles - they tarnish so fast! Between that and the fact that I have a thread holder that holds thread on needles (so I have as many needles as a project has colours on the go at the same time)... I buy my needles by the box.
Ugh, that must be super frustrating 😬 I can see why buying by the box is a good idea!
Oh dear - I've got needles hanging around that are nearly as old as me. 😳
I tend to buy kits, so just use the needle that comes with it, for the whole project. Then I keep them, along with the patterns, and sometimes grab one if I need a spare. Plenty of tarnishing going on here! 🙈
Great tips as always, Kat (pardon the pun) 🪡🧵
Guilty of same!! LOL!
😂
I probably had some super old ones but I had a needle amnesty and chucked them all! I am sure that a great many stitchers do the same as you and I'm very definitely not here to tell anyone otherwise, just sharing some thoughts as you know I enjoy doing 😂
@@catkinandlillie ..."Super old"... thanks, how old do you think I am?! 🤣 (btw, we're about the same age)
The 'super old' was not meant to reference you 🤦😂 So, we're both 25 then, right?! 😜
Kat, your graphic showing the three needles says it all. The new one you can see a big difference at pointy end .Re disposing of old needles. I thought maybe empty match stick box.
I have to say I was actually a little shocked when I compared the old and new needles as I think it's actually hard to realise how bad old needles are until they are next to a shiny new one! I'm glad you found the graphic useful! A match stick box is a great idea for storing old needles 😄
I only change my needles when I lose one!
I’ve never had a needle tarnish and I’ve been cross stitching regularly for 5 years or so. I do wash my hands before stitching every time I stitch though which might help. I’ve never had a needle break either. I should add that I do like stitching kits though, and they usually come with a new needle which I use and then store and use for future non kit projects.
I would have to say that my needles are generally not so bad to be actually called tarnished but they are very definitely dull after being used for some time...as in the picture in the video. I wash my hands before stitching too; it's a great habit to get into for keeping your stitching clean and it definitely can't hurt where your needle is concerned. But I think whether needles tarnish for you is just dependent on body chemistry and you either get lucky or you don't...and I guess we are lucky in that regard!
I use the sharp bin or one empty pill bottle. Thank you for your video, very helpful
Fabulous safe needle disposal - yay! I'm happy you found the video helpful 😊
Great video Kat, Yes definitely I’ll have the video up very soon of my experiment
Thanks Tan 😄 I am looking forward to the results too!
Very useful! I've be an on off stitcher but more consistent recently and I've been asking myself this more the past few weeks after I noticed my needle had tarnished. I've just swapped it out for another old needle that's in better condition whilst I wait for a new pack to arrive. Thanks for the video I'd be intrigued to here how the gold ones last!
That's fantastic that this was useful to you and sounds like it was pretty timely too! I am really looking forward to the gold needle testing too as I've never found them any better than nickel needles but felt it was only fair to give them a really proper go!
@@catkinandlillie Yes very timely! Yea it's worth the test to see I mean more stitch time to money but of course like you say that might vary depending on oils from skin and even moisturizers might affect it too. Definitely useful to have an idea for how often you might need to change it up then you can buy accordingly with a project too.
I have not done any cross stitch since before the pandemic. I just took a fresh John James size 26 tapestry needle out of the packaging so that I can get going again.
Welcome to the cross side Kelley. Lol.
@@loriclarke2931 hi Lori. I did cross stitch for 20 years before I started quilting. I like both hobbies. Different, but fun.
Ah, the joy of a fresh new needle! Maybe that's why I decided to change my needle more often...because it feels like a little treat too 😂 I hope you have a fabulous return to cross stitching 🪡😄
I keep them in an old pill bottle and dispose of them at my dr’s office sharps box…:when I have an appointment.
A perfect solution!! 😄
@@catkinandlillie yup pretty close to you. 😂
I kit up a new project with little scissors and a magnetic tin holding 6 needles. If a needle is rough, bent or tarnished, or if the eye starts to shred the floss, I toss it. Otherwise, I keep using it. I dispose of old needles and pins in an empty small plastic container, like a pill bottle or spice container.
That sounds like you have a great system there! I love the idea of the little tin for your project; that sounds really cute 🩷 Oooh, a spice container is a brilliant idea for storing and then disposing of old needles!
New chart new needle. I just bought some to replenish my stock. I don’t mind gold
Well you know I'm with you there and I like the mantra 'new chart new needle'! 😄
Very informative, thank you! 😊
You're welcome 😊
I use mine until the coating is mostly done and the needle makes a noise when it goes through the fabric. with my current one the coating is somewhat gone but it doesn't make any annoying noise when it goes through the fabric so I'm still using it. (mine are cheap ones bought on AlieExpress or Shein, but they get the job done pretty well. although they're sharper than the recommended tapestry needles and I end up stabbing myself by accident a lot...)
I definitely couldn't have sharp needles...I would definitely be stabbing myself too much 😂
I didn't know needles ever needed changing, hmmm, maybe I should look at mine. In fact, I didn't even know that some needles are better than others. I used to use Sewology needles, shreds your thread, rough tips, YIKES! They snags your fabric. Yuck. I use Bowen now. MUCH BETTER.
Oh yes, some needles are definitely better than others! Although quite a lot of what is 'better' is simply personal preference. As regards changing your needle, maybe try switching to a new one and just see if it feels better or not or if it makes a difference to your stitching 😄
About needles really interesting and helpful. What do you think about the needles with ball at end? Thank you 🎉🎉
Thank you and I'm delighted this was helpful for you 😊 Ball tip needles seem to divide opinion as some cross stitchers think they are incredible and others are not into them. Personally I have not found them any better than a regular needle. I did talk a bit more about them in another video... ruclips.net/video/p0w544-d2C0/видео.html
Hi Kat, I change my needle probably half way through a large project because of it tarnishing. I do not have dry hands so i think this is a problem for me. Interesting to know its a thing and not just me ha ha..... i like the bohin 26 needles personally. I have a old glass herb jar i put all my old ones in.
Oh very definitely not just you...tarnishing is very real! An old herb jar is such a good idea for storing old needles; I think I'm going to do this! Bohin needles are some of my faves too 😄