Pair Dull Stubby Darning? Needles in Old Wooden Case

They're 2 3/4 inches long. They came to me in the case.

I expected to see 'England' on 'em, but they're without any marks. The shaft color in the last pic is an artifact...they're both bright.

The large eyes makes me wonder about whether they are for darning...or perhaps some other, more 'crafty' use.

They both appear unused, but these things probably wouldn't show wear even after many decades of use. Thanks for lookin'!

 

Maybe for stitching leather, after the holes have been punched?

 

Sure! The oversized eye would accommodate Latigo lashing strips. Good call, Bronwen...Thanks!

 

bodkins or possibly lace threaders

 

They are "tapestry" needles, used when working needlepoint - colored yarns stitched onto heavy canvas. The blunt tips allow the needle to pass through the holes between the canvas weave, without piercing the threads of the canvas.

 

Weird...blunt needles used for needlepoint! Quaint!

...stitched onto heavy canvas...
The canvas I'm familiar with, especially sailcloth, is so tightly woven that even with a sharp needle, an' a 'palm', it's all you can do to force the tool through the fabric.

 

"Canvas" made for needlepoint has large spaces between the threads. Here is an example that has been partly worked:


Tapestry needles can also be used for mends and detailing on actual tapestries, or anything else where you are working with heavy yarn/thread and don't want to pierce the threads of the base fabric.

 

OK...a new type of 'canvas' for me. But looking at the stitches I see their size wouldn't need a needle-eye anywhere near the size of mine.
There's a fabric an' craft supply store (Jo-Ann's) here...I'll go look at their selection. Maybe chat-up the oldest clerk on the floor. Bound to learn more, eh? Thanks 2mb!

 

https://www.dickblick.com/items/blunt-tapestry-needle-size-13-pkg-of-12/