Hand Sewing Needle #16 by Osborne has a triangular point and a long eye for easy threading. Sailmakers use a triangular shaped needle to open a rather large hole in the fabric. This cuts down on chafe problems when a long length of twine is repeatedly pulled through.
Needle size increases as the number decreases. The #16 needle is good for most work, but as a general rule use larger needles for sewing through many layers of fabric and smaller needles for seam work. Simply use the needle that yields the smallest hole without undue trouble.
Needle length: 2-5/16 inches
