Needle

Needle, long, slender tool used to sew, embroider, crochet, and knit. Needles are generally pointed at one end to allow them to pass easily through material. Most varieties have “eyes,” holes near one end through which the thread is passed so as to be pulled through the material, but crocheting and knitting needles are eyeless. Different sizes and shapes of needles are designed for various uses—upholstery, garment creation or repair, decoration, and surgery. A complex manufacturing process produces the steel needle. Predating the modern steel needle were prehistoric bone or horn needles and medieval iron needles.