Darning Needles
with instructor Steve Butler
Class 145
What is it? – Darning needles, sometimes referred to as tapestry needles, are a no-nonsense, must-have tool for all fiber artists who work with yarns, flosses or heavy threads. In the needle world, these are the heavy lifters. Crochet, knitting, embroidery, counted cross stitch or sewing, they all have applications for darning needles. The more traditional use of darning needles centers around the repair of knitted items like socks, sweaters or scarves. Darning needles have also proven invaluable for construction projects requiring attaching knitted or crocheted seams or even more seemingly unconventional applications such as embroidery or counted cross stitch. These specialty needles are perfect for anything that requires precise fiber manipulation. Darning needles are available in different sizes and lengths and are constructed with either straight or bent tips. And they all have relatively blunt points. The size darning needle used should be selected depending on the weight of the yarn/floss being used. Selection of either straight or bent tips is solely a matter of personal preference. Different applications will most likely present different requirements for comfort and utility. You choose. Darning needles all have relatively blunt tips that allow them to be maneuvered through more permeable knitted or woven fabrics without splitting the fibers. To accommodate these differing requirements for enumerable creative applications, Clover Needlecraft has provided a selection of darning needles.
What does it do? – Clover has specialized its darning needle offering to enable techniques ranging from weaving in ends to sewing seams to joining squares to embroidery to cross stitch or to repair functions.
Darning Needle set – This set is comprised of three sizes of straight darning needles. Straight or bent points are a personal preference depending on a specific application. Select the size to accommodate the thread, floss or yarn used. Always used the smallest diameter needle possible.
Jumbo Darning Needles – These sets are comprised of two jumbo darning needles with bent tips. These needles are larger and are suitable for heavier yarns, threads or multiple strands of floss.
Lace Darning Needle Set – This set is comprised of three fine darning needles with bent tips. They are suitable for use with finer yarns, threads and floss. They are perfect for lace or fine detail work.
Darning Needle with Latch Hook Eye – This set is comprised of two, straight tip darning needles. Their defining feature is a latch hook, or opening, eye. This allows us to thread heavy yarns or multi ply threads easily through the eye. These needles are designed for the heavier fibers that couldn’t be used otherwise.
Darning Needle Set (Bent Tip) – This set is comprised of a smaller, shorter version of Clover’s darning needles. Three sizes with bent tips are provided. Their benefit is the ease with which they can be manipulated in close, detailed work. Again, personal preference.
How do I share it? – Darning needles are one of those fiber arts tools that belongs in every sewing or knitting studio. There is nothing more handy than a set of darning needles. We just have to have them. Put together some examples that demonstrate just how handy they are by showing some common applications suited to the different styles. Many involved in the creative process are unaware of the styles and applications. Samples sell.