How to Properly Store Cross Stitch Needles

So, there you are, happily stitching away, and BAM! Your needle breaks. Fine you think and you dive in your pack and pull out a slew of needles to find… They’ve opened and gone everywhere!
 
Recently I came up across quite a problem; how to store your needles better. Now there are a few needle storage methods out there, and a few I picked up from fellow stitchers after asking around, however, it was shocking just how many people had the same problem as me. So I put on my top hat and went to work!
 

The failing needle storage method

Let’s start with what you probably have set up. Packs upon packs of needles are randomly thrown into your pack, causing massive headaches when you’re looking for a needle and no way of actually tracking which needles you have. Yeh, this is no way to store anything, let alone needles. When I reached out I spoke to an old friend of mine who stored theirs in old CD cases, and whilst this is a genius use of old cases, it’s hardly helping.
 

Pebbles

“I use a pebble!” I hear you shout. Well, yes, pebbles are great, but let’s face it unless you only have a few needles (we all know that’s not the case), or a seriously massive stash of pebbles somewhere, these just don’t cut the mustard.
However, before you think they aren’t worth the money, I personally have a pebble in my travel kit. It’s perfect for only a few needles and keeps them safe from pricked fingers.
 
 
 
 

DMC Needle Organizer

Oh, the DMC needle organizer. When I first saw this a year ago I was SO pleased. It looked perfect. However, the reason I started writing this post, was due to the 10th time I’ve accidentally dropped open the lid. In addition, the needles constantly switch between segments, making storage of different sizes or types a serious pain.
I now loathe this thing. Now, I need a real solution.
 
 

THE SOLUTION?

File Storage

My initial thought was to go back to packets, but with a better storage method, and for about a month, I did just that. An A6 storage file actually works perfectly for needle cases, and with little tabs to label them, it makes sorting a breeze.
However all was not well. You really need to keep these suckers straight. Mine fell over a few times and the needle cases came tumbling out. Whilst that’s not a great issue, it became a pain to keep resorting all the time.
 
That’s when it hit me!
 

THE SOLUTION!

I was reading the most recent XStitch Mag and saw a page featuring fancy Tulip Sashiko Needles. And they came in a glass vial. Very fancy I thought, but shooting back to my pre-med days I realised doctors store used needles in plastic tubes. I reached out, and you know what? They don’t do it anymore. Something to do with health and safety. However, one plucking doctor friend of mine mentioned he’d seen some specifically for stitchers.
 

Needle Tubes

Honestly, I think these things might just be the best thing since sliced bread. Not only are they super cheap, seal like a dream, stack up without issue, come in various colors heads for easy identification, come with labels, AND they fit perfectly into that long slot on a thread storage box.
 
Although there is the more whimsical side of needle storage. How about needles in a high heeled shoe, courtesy of Peacock & Fig?

 
If you’re interested in tapestry needles, we’ve been featuring a great series including answering that annoying question Why are cross stitch needles given random size numbers?, and How are cross stitch needles made?. Of course, we also have awesome guides like finding the best size needle for your work.

Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to store cross stitch needles?

The best way to store cross stitch and tapestry needles is in a needle case or needle tube. This prevents the needles from getting damaged but also secures them away so they do not accidentally drop.

How do I keep needles from rusting or bending?

Needles should be kept in a needle case or needle tube to avoid damage. However, needles do bend over time and will need to be replaced. If you have worn away the outside coating of your needle, you should replace it as it can impact your cross stitch in a number of ways.

Should I organize needles by type or size?

You should organize needles by type and size, however, if you have to pick just one, organize them by type as this can be hard to identify sometimes, whereas size can be worked out using a cross stitch identification card.