Hand Sewing Needles
Find hand sewing needles for everyday repairs, embroidery, quilting and yarn finishing. Shop Bohin, Prym, SewMate and more in New Zealand—choose by the job you want to do.
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Which hand sewing needle should I choose?
Everyday sewing, hems & buttons
Start with sharps for general hand stitching on woven fabrics. An assorted pack gives you different sizes for small repairs and finishing. Big-eye sharps have a larger threading opening; easy-thread needles use a different eye design to help insert the thread. For the Bohin betweens listing, select the “10 – Big Eyelet” option if you want that version.
Embroidery, tapestry & cross stitch
Crewel embroidery needles have a sharp point and an elongated eye for embroidery thread. Chenille needles combine a sharp point with a large eye for suitable thicker threads and ribbon. Blunt tapestry needles suit counted cross stitch and needlepoint where the needle should pass between the fabric threads. Choose the point type for your technique, not just the word “embroidery”.
Hand quilting, appliqué & sashiko
Short betweens needles suit hand quilting and small, closely spaced stitches. Fine appliqué needles help make discreet stitches around fabric edges; the range includes standard and longer options. The Bohin sashiko assortment offers needles for decorative running-stitch work, while long boutis needles are a specialist option for padded embroidery. These are hand techniques, not machine-needle systems.
Darning, knitting & crochet finishing
Darning needles help work repair thread or yarn through worn areas. For knitting and crochet, choose a yarn needle with an eye that accepts your yarn and a tip suited to passing through the stitches. Compare metal, aluminium, wooden and plastic options from KnitPro and The Knitting Barber. Curved-tip yarn needles are different from the larger curved needles used for upholstery.
Beading, millinery & heavier materials
Fine beading needles are designed to pass through suitable bead holes; allow room for the thread and any repeat passes. Long milliners, also called straw needles, suit basting and techniques such as bullion knots. Curved upholstery needles help reach awkward seams. Leather needles have a cutting-style point and are intended for leather—not delicate woven fabrics.
Needle sizes & easier threading
Within many hand-needle ranges, a higher number means a finer needle; compare sizes within the same needle type. Match the eye to your thread and test on a scrap first. A needle threader pulls thread through the eye, while a bodkin carries elastic or ribbon through a casing. Do not force a threader and thick thread through a small eye, and replace damaged or rusty needles.
Complete your project kit with sewing thread or scissors and cutting tools. For machine sewing, head to sewing machine needles instead.
Not sure which pack to choose? Ask Direct Sewing with your fabric, thread and the technique you are using. Pack sizes and needle sizes vary; check the selected product option.
