Ricoma Quick Start Guide
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The two primary point types used for sewing and embroidery are sharp point and ball point.
Sharp point needles are used to sew woven materials. These needles will cut the material when they
need to, but often find their way into the existing holes of the fabric, just like the ballpoint needles.
Made on a loom, woven materials consist of many individual threads. Therefore, if one thread is broken,
other threads will remain intact. Your starter kit comes with sharp point needles.
Tip:
We recommend using Groz-Beckert brand needles. The designation for sharp point Groz-Beckert
needles is RG.
Ball point needles are used to sew knit materials. These needles are non-cutting and work by finding
their way into the holes that already exist in the material. If you get holes on knit material, it will unravel
due to the fact that knits are made of one continuous thread.
Because the eye of the needle will be smaller or larger depending on the size you choose, you will need
to change the size of the thread as well in some cases. For instance, a small 65/9 or 60/8 needle will
need a lighter weight thread such as a size 60 thread, which is thinner and can easily pass through the
needle’s eye. The chart below displays which size needle corresponds with which size thread.
The difference between sharp point and ball point needles
The relationship between needles and thread
Tip:
We recommend using Groz-Beckert brand needles. The designation for ball point Groz-Beckert
needles is FFG.
2. Normal round point – designation R
• Has a normal sharp point
• Used on woven fabrics, including finished caps
3. Light ball point – designation SES
• Designed to spread yarn in knitted fabrics rather than piercing them to maintain the
structural integrity of the knit
• Most popular needle type and is considered a universal point type
• Suitable for most knit and woven fabrics.
4. Medium ball point – designation SUK
• Used to spread heavier yarns such as those used in heavier knitted fabrics.
