Needle for stretch fabric: what the source actually supports.
Jersey, swimwear, and highly elastic knits behave differently from stable woven cloth. Use a documented family as a starting point, then check machine fit and test the actual fabric.
United Kingdom edition. The NM/size pairs and system codes are kept as published by the manufacturer; local product names do not establish machine fit. UK terminology and label notes.
Stretch-needle reference
SCHMETZ product information reviewed October 19, 2026.
| Manufacturer family | System | Listed material | Published size entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stretch | 130/705 H-S | Elastic / highly elastic knits, including jersey and swimwear | NM 65/9 · 75/11 · 90/14 |
What this does not decide.
The published size list is not a personal selection for your fabric weight, seam construction, thread, speed, machine, or accessory. Follow your manual, use a fresh needle of the correct system, and test on a scrap. The manufacturer's description includes a feature intended to help prevent skipped stitches; that does not guarantee a result or diagnose an existing issue.
Stretch needle questions.
Is a ballpoint and a Stretch needle the same?
Do not treat product labels as interchangeable without the needle maker’s documentation. This page reports the SCHMETZ Stretch family as named on its product page; follow the intended-use statement and your machine manual.
Which size should I use for knit fabric?
Singer’s chart: ball point 10/70 or 12/80 for sheer to lightweight knits (jersey, single knit, spandex, tricot); 14/90 for medium to heavy knits (double knit, sweatshirt, sweater knit). Test on a scrap of the same knit.
Why does my machine skip stitches on jersey?
Skipped stitches can have multiple causes. Check needle installation and system against the machine manual, then follow its rethreading and troubleshooting steps. Stop if the needle contacts the plate or foot.
Sources.
- Singer: Choosing the right machine needles — knit rows of the fabric chart and the ball-point note on skipped stitches, checked October 20, 2026.
- SCHMETZ Stretch needle
- SCHMETZ needle anatomy and size table
Starting sizes are printed as each maker gives them. They are a first needle to test, not proof that a needle fits your machine.