Black needles

[aztyke]

Anyone else suffer from this? My needles tarnish quickly. Is it just that my hands sweat too much? After a couple of weeks or so of intense stitching, my needle will have a black ring around it and be "sticky" through the fabric. I go through a few needles per project if it is a big one.
I try to keep my hands clean, always wash them before stitching.
Just today, while out and about I bought some gold plated needles. Haven't tried them yet. Do you think these will help? I seem to remember I got one with a kit quite a while ago but the gold wore off and it was black after that.

[Midge]

Yes I think they will be better for you. You don't have hand cream on when you stitch do you? Some medication can also make the skin very acidic and that is what tarnishes the needle. You may find the gold ones still go off but it will take longer.

[Sue E]

Mine seem to keep the colour alright
Sue

[lacemaker2004]

Midge is right, it's the acidity in your skin. It may be an allergy too. Had a friend that was allergic to some metals. The gold or plattinum plated may last better for you.

[Jilly]

I have noticed this as well from time to time.....I think some people do react more with the metal
If you like the type of needle you have.. it may be worth just wiping them with a cloth after each session

[natural_isis]

I have the same problem. Over the years it has gotten better. I can now use a needle for months rather than days before it turns. I have also found that certain brands last longer than others. Piecemakers seem to last the longest for me. Would be interested in knowing if anyone uses the platinum needles and if they are worth the extra cost.

[Jilly]

I tried platinum, and liked the feel a lot.. but I just kept breaking them
I find Piecemakers are the bees knees too

[aztyke]

Hmm, nope, no hand cream, and no medications. At one point when it was at it's worst I was stopping and washing my hands every 1/2 hour or so. I'm thinking maybe it is just the heat out here, it has been in the 100's for a couple of months now, and I have noticed it is better in the winter (hahaha {arizona}) months.
It's not so bad now, so maybe it does get better with time.
Thanks, all
I looked up the piecemakers, maybe I will give them a try. Anyone seen them in stores are are they just online?

[~threadbear~]

I've seen them in the shops as well, but I'm in the UK.
I think they were cheaper online though, so you might decide that's your best bet.

[megandmog]

I had one needle that went horribly black after a few weeks. It was out of a kit so I guessed it just wasn't that good quality.

I now use gold plated needles, but the plating seems to wear off very quickly.

[Becca]

Mine go black after a while, i just carry on using them though and it doesn't seem to be a problem, i know my hands are clean because i always wash them before i stitch, and i wash the finished piece at the end anyway.

[nataliezoe]

Sometimes cheaper brands coated in nickle etc will react with the natural oils from your hands.Try gold needles, they are slower to rust too!

[Pedals]

The needles I use usually turn that way after a couple of weeks of good use. I try to keep a few handy. But every time I put my project down, I put it thru my shirt to wipe it clean. I also put it thru my shirt when I am reloading the floss 1) to hold while I am fetching the floss and 2) to wipe it clean.

[Lessa54]

I had this problem with my first kit, but then I dropped the needle on some floorboards, it went into a crack and I never saw it again The needles from my last two kits have been absolutely fine though. Maybe try a variety of brands until you find one that suits?