My Top 5 Favorite Cross Stitch Tools

When I first started cross stitching, I only had the minimal necessities. Everything was bare basics.

It was probably because I started with a kit and had everything I needed to start. BUT what about the extra accessories? The things you don’t need but want.

Even though these tools aren’t absolutely necessary to cross stitch, you will wonder how you ever stitched without them.

Introducing my top 5 tools that I couldn’t live without.

1. Easily Find Your Needle with Needle Minders

What are needle minders? Needle minders, sometimes called needle nannies or needle keepers, are objects, like buttons or enamel pins, attached to insanely strong magnets to keep your needle safely in place. You can read more in my article all about needle minders. 

Needle minders are a great way to not lose your needle. I can’t tell you how many times I had my needle weaved into my fabric and it slipped out.

Not only are they good for when I am done stitching for that session, but they also come in handy when needing a place to quickly rest your needle. 

I have a bad habit of holding the needle in my mouth sometimes. I know I’m not the only one. My husband always gets on my case because it’s so dangerous. Using a needle minder is a much safer option with the same amount of convenience.

Check out one of my favorite tutorials for making needle minders. You’ll become addicted! 

2. Keep Your Fabric Clean with Grime Guards

Grime guards are the biggest lifesaver! Even though I always wash my hands and keep them as clean as possible while stitching, I have super oily skin. 

If I were to hold my fabric all the oils from my hands would be transferred onto my fabric. These oils could break down the fibers over time. Grime guards keep the oils from touching the fabric.

You could always wash your pieces after but sometimes you may not want to wash your finished project. 

Washing is easier with grime guards because most of the dirt and oils are on guard instead of your fabric.

Plus who doesn’t want to accessorize their stitching with some cute fabric? I have a grime guard tutorial.

3. Long-Lasting Tapestry Needles

I have sensitive skin and the DMC needles just weren’t cutting it. The coating would rub off almost immediately, causing my fingers to break out in a rash.

I do not have that problem with Bohin. Bohin tapestry needles are my favorite needles because the coating lasts a lot longer and doesn’t cause skin irritation.

Nowadays, I use size 28 Bohins and I can use them for stitching AND all of my beading. It’s so nice not to have to change needles in the middle of a project.

Bohins are smooth and glide through the fabric easily. If you are searching for new tapestry needles, give Bohins a try.

4. Hold Your Fabric Taut with Q-Snaps

Q-snaps have quickly become my favorite way to hold my fabric.

After giving these plastic snap frames another try, I became hooked. Nowadays, it’s rare that I will stitch in hand, use a hoop, or use a scroll frame. While all of these methods have their place, I prefer Q-Snaps most of all.

They are easy to use and their lightweight frame allows me to stitch for long periods of time.

Most of my projects fit in some configuration of these frames and they can be adjustable to different sizes.

To learn more about these amazing frames, you can read my article, All About Q-Snaps.

5. Comfortably See Your Stitches with a Light/Magnifier

Although I still prefer using daylight for stitching, I wouldn’t be able to live without my stitching light/magnifier combo. 

More often, I will use the light because my apartment is dimly lit and it’s so helpful to keep a spotlight on the area that I’m stitching.

Mike actually got me this light as a gift and for the longest time, I didn’t use it, which disappointed him. I don’t remember why, but one day I just started and now I use it every day. Not only everyday, but any time of the day to get that extra direct light.

It’s so important to have good lighting while stitching!

I really love that this light has three points of articulation and the light can be adjusted in color and brightness. This is the model that I have.

Bonus: Effortlessly Change Colors with a DMC Color Card

While this may not be helpful for everyone, the DMC Color Card is one of my favorite things. I use this frequently for changing colors in patterns or when choosing colors for my own patterns.

I have the color card with real floss. This is better than the printed floss because the colors in the printed version can differ from the actual floss colors because of the printing process. With the real floss, I know that I am getting accurate colors.

If you are someone who would like to have swatches of all the DMC colors, I would highly recommend picking this up.

Final Thoughts

That wraps it up. Needle minders, grime guards, Bohin tapestry needles, Q-Snaps, a light/magnifier, and the DMC Color Card are my top cross stitch accessories.

These tools have become a part of my cross stitch arsenal and I couldn’t stitch without them.

What are your favorite cross stitch tools? Which accessories would you add to or remove from this list? Leave a comment down below.

Happy Stitching!