Embroidery and tapestry needles

When talking about embroidery needles, it is normally understood that these have a blunt point. If they are sharp tipped, they are known as crewel needles. It is the same for tapestry needles. They are usually round tipped, much easier for sewing through canvas. However, sometimes it is practical to have a sharp tip, for example, on Penelope canvas with a double mesh, for emphasising stitches. Large tapestry needles are often called Smyrna needles after the town in Turkey (now Izmir), famous for its' woollen rugs using, among others, Smyrna stitch.

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