Curved needles are measured two ways.  1) length overall (around the outside) from eye to point    2)  length of the shortest distance (across) from eye to point.  These measurements for the four (4) needles in the K-3 kit are shown under the Specifications tab.  Also shown for each needle is the gauge of the wire (SWG) and its equivalent in milimetres. High Quality Steel Wire is used with the needles being supplied by C S Osborne of the USA.