• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

What Are Needle Minders and How Do You Use One?

May 2, 2024 by Sarah White

One of the great things about cross stitching is that you can get started without a lot of supplies. Really just a bit of fabric, some embroidery floss and a needle are all that you need to try it out.

But like any craft, there are accessories and special tools that might not be essential, but they do make the work a little easier. And sometimes they can even make it a little more fun, too.

Take needle minders, for example.

I didn’t know these existed until a few years ago. I always just stabbed my needle through a couple of holes in the cross stitch fabric (ideally outside of the stitching area because that can stretch out the holes) when I wasn’t using it so I wouldn’t lose it.

But clever stitchers figured out a way to hold their needle close without damaging their fabric, and that’s a needle minder.

It’s basically a couple of magnets that you place your fabric between; then the top magnet can hold the needle while you’re not using it. You can also attach it to your paper pattern if you like instead.

Of course just using plain magnets for this is possible, but it’s not very exciting, so there are all sorts of designs of needle minders that you can buy (which we’ll get to in a minute). I’ve got an idea for making my own which I will share as soon as I try it out.

In the meantime, check out this post from Catkin and Kindle that goes into a lot more detail about how needle minders are made and different ways you can use them, as well as potential pitfalls of using them.

As for where to buy your own, I’ll probably do a whole post on that soon, too, but here are a couple of fun options from Etsy:

  • Caffeinated Cat Crafts has a wide variety of needle minders ranging from gnomes to a steampunk octopus, bees and ouija planchettes.
  • Adventure Needlework has a decided witchy/cat vibe, including needle minders of both a cat and a mushroom holding a knife.
  • Needles Notions and More focuses on seasonal designs including a bunny holding a carrot, candy corn and a snowman, but I really had to share this one because they have a Highland Cow needle minder!

[Photo: Catkin and Kindle]

Next Pattern:

  • Tools to Make Your Cross Stitch Life Easier
«
»

Have you read?

Designer Spotlight: Murder Puffin

I’ve long had a soft spot for puffins, so of course when I found an Etsy shop called Murder Puffin I had to share it. 

And I’m so glad I found it because they’ve got some weird stuff that I hope you’re going to like as much as I do. 

There are cryptids and true crime, nautical themed designs, holiday wanted posters and an entire section called memento mori. So if that sounds like something you’d be into, read on. 

The biggest section on the site, though, is Altoid tin cross stitch patterns. If you can’t quite imagine what an Altoid tin cross stitch pattern would be like, this mummy cross stitch tin is a pretty representative example.

Most of them have a character (in this case, the mummy, but it could be anything from an alien to a racoon to a gnome) or more than one, who is made into a tiny stuffed doll. There’s a design for the top and bottom inside of the tin; here it’s a pyramid and an anhk design. There’s also a small design for the top of the box. And finally, a kind of blanket and a pillow so you can tuck your little character into the box. 

Each one is a cute little set that would be so fun to display (and play with!) on your desk or bookshelf. And there’s a great range of options to choose from. 

In addition to those, you’ll find a lot of other fun stuff for the strange and unusual on your gift list. There are some delightfully creepy (and mostly cryptid-inspired) tarot cards. A whole set of dark samplers called Gothic murder family. And a section called potted cross stitch, with little designs like mushrooms, plants and pumpkins you can stitch up and “plant” in tiny pots. 

There’s so much fun stuff you really just need to stop reading this and go visit Murder Puffin on Etsy. I hope you find it as delightful as I do!

[Photo: Murder Puffin]

 

Categories

Book Reviews Christmas Craft Businesses Craft Inspirations Craft News and Events Cross-Stitch Patterns & Charts Cross-Stitch Product Reviews Cross-Stitch Website Reviews Dogs & Cats Easter flowers Free Patterns Halloween More Cross Stitch Product Reviews spring Subversive Thanksgiving Tutorials and Patterns valentines day

RSS More Articles

  • How to Make a Hooded Cape for Kids and Adults – Easy Sewing Tutorial
  • Designer Spotlight: Murder Puffin
  • DMC Striker Embroidery Pattern – A Free Football-Themed Stitch for Sports Fans
  • Knits to Make for Your Labubu
  • Little Birds: 26 Handmade Projects to Sew, Stitch, Quilt and Love
  • Stenciling Like a Pro? You NEED These Must-Have Supplies
  • 15 Highland Cows You Can Crochet
  • Etsy Spotlight – The Thomas Boys Shirt Sewing Pattern
  • 7 FREE Back to School SVG Cut Files
  • How to Make a Sticks and Stones Quilt – Free Quilting Tutorial

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy