Our team independently selects products featured in our editorial content. Some articles may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission through them. For more information, please see our Affiliates FAQ
There’s nothing more frustrating when you’re right in the flow of a project and all of a sudden your needle goes walkabout! Whether you’re working on that embroidery piece you’ve been wanting to do for a while, or you are trying your hand at cross stitch, there’s one thing you need to keep hold of, and that’s your needle.
Look no further, these fairly inexpensive little tools are just what anybody who loves stitching needs to ensure they never end up losing a needle again. The great thing about needle minders is that they exist in a huge array of designs; they often look like badges or pins, which makes them even more alluring, and you’ll want to collect them all.
If you’ve never heard of a needle minder or want to add to your collection, we’ve put together this list of our favourites. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect needle minder for you or something to give to that thread-lover in your life (they’ll never believe they didn’t have one). We will warn you, though, once you start collecting them you may never stop!
If you’re just getting started in embroidery, make sure you check out our guide: embroidery for beginners and our helpful library of embroidery stitches.
A needle minder is a great little tool that you can attach to the fabric you are stitching on to keep your needle safe. They are magnetic and in two parts, so they will clasp together onto your material without any damage. Then you can simply place your needle on it when you’re not using it or changing threads, and it will stick to the magnetic minder. Hooray for these handy little things!
Yes, you’ll never believe you didn’t have one after you get one. Whilst they’re not a necessary tool for cross stitching or embroidery, they’re just so helpful. Gone are the days when you’re scrambling around on the floor searching for your needle, only for it to turn up days later, hiding in your rug waiting for that unsuspecting foot, ouch!
These adorable mushroom guys will do a wonderful job of looking after your needles! You can choose from five pretty colours! We just want to collect them all.
Now we’ve all heard of a puppuccino (the famous puppy drink from Starbucks), but the catpuccino is a new one!
This cat needle minder is just so adorable and would make the perfect needle minder for any cat lover out there.
Of course, we all need a little gnome to mind our needles! These cute gnomes will keep you company on the side of your cross stitch or embroidery project to ensure you never lose a needle again.
These needle minders come in 8 different designs, so you can choose your favourite or simply get all 8. We wouldn’t blame you!
We wouldn’t mind having this little guy perched on the side of our pattern whilst we stitch.
This lovely needle minder has a strong Neodymium 35 magnet perfect for attaching to the fabric of your cross stitch or embroidery piece.
We all know that one person who maybe has a small (ahem) plant obsession, so this succulent needle minder would make a thoughtful gift if they also love cross stitching or embroidery.
It is made in Britain from 3mm thick birch plywood, backed with a strong magnet.
These birthstone crystal needle minders would make a great birthday gift for anyone who loves embroidery or cross stitch, or just anyone who loves crystals!
They come in a variety of colours, each representing the birthstone of that month.
They contain a magnet so can be easily attached to your material, but they also would look great worn as pins or even on your fridge.
Personalise your needle minder with these little letter tiles inspired by the beloved game.
These would be super as a gift for a keen stitcher and Scrabble fan. They make great stocking fillers too or smaller Birthday gifts.
Book lovers unite! This needle minder can be used on your cross-stitch, embroidery, or any other sewing project to keep your needles safe.
Great for anyone who can’t put down a book, or their sewing kit for that matter.
For fans of a classic sewing project, you’ll adore this vintage needle minder.
This needle minder is an enamel design with a loose magnet for attaching to fabric, it will also stick to the metal bolt on an embroidery hoop. Handy!
We are thread heads and proud! And if you are too, you’ll love this thread head needle minder for cross stitch or embroidery.
It features a delicate wreath of flowers on an enamel base, with a strong magnet attached, ready to hold your needles in place. We kind of want to wear it as a badge too!
If you want to step into the darker side of needle minders (who knew there was one, right?), take a look at this creepy plague doctor enamel needle minder.
It might be especially fun as a little Halloween gift for your favourite stitcher. Check out Etsy for lots more weird and wonderful needle minders.
These are exactly the kind of paws we want on our stitching projects, not those of Mittens the kitty who keeps trying to steal away all our threads!
These adorable little enamel paws are backed with a magnet and will hold your needles in place, no more standing on them by accident (ouch!).
How lovely is this bee needle minder? It is so detailed that it almost looks real, just don’t actually try and swat it off your project!
This handmade bee needle minder is great for your summer projects or anyone who loves bees.
We all need a bit of motivation now and then, and your stitching project is no different!
Whether you’re working on a large project or just getting started, don’t give up! And remind yourself of that with these lovely motivational needle minders.
We just have to say, we’re blown away by the detail on this cake needle minder! Similar to the others on the list, it comes in two parts with a magnet, making it perfect for attaching to your fabric.
This needle minder is just fab to look at and would make a wonderfully unique gift for any embroidery or cross stitch lover. The only downside is that you will be constantly craving cake (or maybe that’s not such a bad thing).
Now don’t get us wrong, we’re just as excited as the next person to get out and about again, but sometimes it is just too ‘peopley’ and we want to stay inside and stitch!
That’s where this lovely needle minder comes in, a little reminder that it’s ok just to hang around the house in your favourite PJs and get stuck into your latest embroidery or cross stitch pattern. It’s one of our favourite ways to spend an evening.
You certainly do have to be feeling stabby to finish an embroidery or cross stitch pattern, usually stabbing through the fabric thousands of times!
This needle minder would make a great gift for anyone with a quirky sense of humour; it would definitely give them a chuckle!
We know we’ve already had our fair share of cat needle minders on the list, but one more couldn’t hurt, right?
This cute wooden cat needle minder makes a wonderful gift for an embroidery or cross stitch fan.
It is made from 3mm thick birch plywood and super-strong neodymium magnets; you won’t lose a needle again with this helpful guy around.
Avoid getting stabbed in the foot by your rogue needle and save the planet? You’d basically be a superhero.
Well, you can be with these recycled needle minders made from offcuts and spare pieces of acrylic saved from landfills.
Don’t be slow on getting your hands on one of these snail needle minders. This cute little guy will take care of your needles whilst you’re busy creating!
The creative design features a ball of yarn as the shell, with two little charming eyes; we think they’ve ‘snailed it’!
Can you even recall a party you went to as a child, and party rings didn’t make an appearance?!
And for good reason, these delightful little biscuits have become quite a symbol, which is why they make perfect needle minders for all you ’90s kids. Feel the nostalgia!
We are otterly in love with these needle minders! As seen in the picture, these playful little critters are holding hands and floating around.
Otters do actually hold hands (or paws) with each other whilst they are snoozing to stop themselves from being separated or floating away, adorable!
This needle minder would make a cute gift for your partner who loves embroidery or cross stitch.
“You’re not Cheddar!” If you’ve ever watched Brooklyn 99 or know someone who loves it, this corgi needle minder would make the greatest gift.
If you’ve never heard of that but just simply love corgis (who doesn’t, they’re so regal), this needle minder would be a cute addition to your stitching kit.
We all know someone who loves avocado, and in recent years, these knobbly-skinned fruits have exploded in popularity, meaning we see them everywhere.
We’re not complaining, though; they’re adorable and delicious! This avocado needle minder would make a great gift for anyone who can’t get enough of the humble avocado.
With three designs of these little pigs, you’ll be spoilt for choice. How can we decide? Ok, just get all three!
These little needle minder piggies are made from strong enamel and backed with a magnet, ready for attaching to your latest cross stitch or embroidery project.
Yes, yes and yes! We’re absolutely loving this ‘GRL PWR’ needle minder; it’s bold, it’s bright, and it’s celebrating all women.
When you’re tackling your next project or just need a little pick-me-up, this needle minder is there to remind you: you’re awesome.
A little reminder to relax and take it slow sometimes. The sloth is a great example that slow and steady does win the race, being among the most abundant, successful creatures in South American rainforests. And they mostly just spend their time hanging out in trees!
This needle minder is a great reminder to slow down and always make time for yourself.
Fiercely protect your embroidery hoop with this deadly shark…
Ok, maybe he’s more cute than deadly, but he’ll make a great companion, and he’ll protect your needles, that’s for sure.
Any fans of the underwater creatures will be fond of this fun needle minder.
Now you’ve found your perfect needle minder (or maybe several), you can get on with your next embroidery or cross stitch project without losing any needles.
Pick a fun needle minder to add to your embroidery kit, and you’ll be smiling as you stitch!
Use your new needle minder to make our buzzing bee embroidery or try your hand at this new octopus embroidery design.
Never miss an issue! Sign up to receive your favourite magazine every month – delivered straight to your door.
Sign up today
