How do I decide which needle to use for cross-stitch?

The job of the needle is to carry your thread through the fabric do that no damage is done to either the thread or the fabric. The eye of the needle should be large enough the hold all the thread being used without its being pinched or broken from being in there. The needle should be large enough that the fabric is gradually parted by the needle so that the thread does not drag or catch on the fabric as is passes through. In other words, the needle should fit the thread, not the fabric. But since we use different threads or different numbers of threads on different fabrics, the fabric size is often used as the criterion.

If you must have a guide…use a #26 tapestry needle on 18- or 16-count aida, use a #24 tapestry needle on 16-, 14-, 11-count fabric, use a #22 tapestry needle on 10-count and heavier fabrics. Use a #24 needle on 32- to 25-count fabrics, and a larger needle on a coarser fabric counts. Always use a chenille (sharp) needle of the corresponding size when working with waste canvas.

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

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