To meet the specialized needs of decorative stitching, the embroidery needle is longer than other needles. Its eye is also customized for embroidery. Two or three strands of thread, flattened between the fingers, fit easily through the elongated eye. 

The Size 10 Embroidery/Redwork needle is ideal for fine embroidery work. It is a little longer than the Size 11. The needle's shank is not too thick, yet the eye is large enough to accommodate three strands of embroidery thread. It is the favored size for Redwork embroidery.