What Needle Size Should I Use for Embroidery? A Simple Guide to Needles & Strands

If you’ve ever wondered which needle to use with different embroidery threads, you’re not alone. 

In my previous article, I shared the embroidery threads I use most often. This time, I’m sharing the needle sizes and number of strands I usually use with each one.

These are my usual combinations, but they’re not strict rules. You can always adjust them depending on your fabric, stitch, and what feels comfortable in your hands.

From left to right:
a DMC needle set, multipurpose pins, a regular needle for cotton embroidery floss,
a tapestry needle with a larger eye (perfect for thicker wool), and a needle for crewel wool.

1. DMC Cotton No. 25

For regular cotton embroidery floss, I usually choose the needle size based on the number of strands.

These are my usual combinations, but you can switch between them depending on your preference.

For example, sometimes I use a No. 5 needle with just 2 strands because I prefer how it feels. The main thing is that the thread should pass comfortably through the fabric without making the hole unnecessarily large.

2. Crewel Wool

For crewel wool, including Appletons and DMC Eco Vita, I usually use 1–2 strands with a No. 3 or No. 5 needle.

You can switch between the two depending on the stitch and your preference.

I actually find crewel wool very easy to stitch with. It has a little more resistance when pulling through the fabric, which can make it easier to control than cotton floss. It also gives embroidery a lovely soft, textured look.

3. DMC Tapestry Wool

For DMC Tapestry Wool, I usually use 1 strand with a No. 18 tapestry needle.

DMC makes needles specifically for tapestry wool, with a larger eye that makes it easier to thread thicker wool.

Because tapestry wool is much thicker than regular embroidery floss, remember to keep your fabric tension even and avoid pulling too hard.

4. Metallic Thread

Metallic thread can be a little more fiddly to work with, so I usually choose between a No. 5 or No. 7 needle, depending on the thread.

I find shorter lengths and slower stitching make metallic thread much easier to handle.

You don’t need to use a lot of it, either. A few metallic stitches can be enough to add a little sparkle to a design.

From top to bottom:
fold-over thread snips — the pair I reach for most because they're so comfortable to hold,
 fabric scissors for cutting fabric, bird-shaped embroidery scissors, a needle threader with a built-in seam ripper,
a smaller needle threader and a seam ripper.

A Few Helpful Tools

You don’t need many extra tools, but here are a few little things I find helpful to have on hand.

Needle threader


A needle threader makes threading smaller needles much easier. Some types also have a little thread picker or cutter on the other side, which can be very handy.

Small & large scissors

A small, sharp pair is useful for trimming threads close to the fabric. I also like to keep a larger pair for cutting fabric and finishing the edges of a project.

Pins

A few regular sewing pins are also useful to have on hand. They can help hold the fabric in place or assist with certain stitches, especially 3D stitches such as woven picot stitch.

They’re simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly useful once you start exploring more dimensional embroidery.

A seam ripper

A seam ripper is one of the tools I always like to keep nearby. If I make a mistake, I prefer to fix it right away rather than leave it behind.

Taking the time to unpick and redo a stitch helps keep the finished embroidery neat and polished.

A Little Reminder

Needle sizes are not strict rules. The right combination can vary depending on the fabric, stitch, thread, and your personal stitching style.

Use these suggestions as a starting point and adjust them until the needle and thread feel comfortable in your hands.

After a little practice, you’ll naturally start to know which needle feels right for each thread. 

Ready to Stitch?

Once you have your thread and needle ready, all that’s left is to find a little project you’d love to make. 

You can explore my hand embroidery patterns at joooyco.com. Many of my designs use the same threads I’ve shared in these articles, so you can start with a few colours you already have and slowly build your collection as you stitch.

Choose a design you love, pick up your needle, and enjoy the quiet rhythm of stitching — one stitch at a time.

Happy stitching!

Joooyco Studio