针是人类最早期的缝纫工具。针的历史最早可推至旧石器时代的砭石、石针、骨针等。

1930年在北京郊区房山县周口店龙骨山发现山顶洞人使用的骨针，长82毫米，直径3毫米，针孔残缺。

A sewing needle for hand-sewing is a long slender tool with a pointed tip at one end and a hole or eye at the other. The earliest needles were made of bone or wood; modern ones are manufactured from high carbon steel wire and are nickel- or 18K gold-plated for corrosion resistance. The highest quality embroidery needles are plated with two-thirds platinum and one-third titanium alloy. Traditionally, needles have been kept in needle books or needle cases which have become objects of adornment. Sewing needles may also be kept in an etui, a small box that held needles and other items such as scissors, pencils and tweezers.