Ann Logan

First and foremost, always make sure to have clean hands when stitching. Oils from your skin transfer easily to cross stitch fabric and over time create stains that are not easy to remove. The best way to avoid this is to avoid the problem in the first place. Train your family not to touch your projects unless they have freshly cleaned hands. Better yet, tell them to keep off the fabric and floss!

Embroidery needles used for cross-stitch are often called cross stitch needles or tapestry needles.
Cross stitch needles come in different sizes depending on thickness. Most commonly used size is 24. It is the best choice for stitching on 14-count aida.
A tapestry needle is a hand sewing needle with a blunt end and a large eye.
You don't need a sharp needle to use with an open weave like Aida.
The rounded tip of a tapestry needle is important because it helps to ensure you don't accidentally pierce the threads of the fabric.