I use steel wool. It keeps my pins and needles sharp. I also make them in different shapes and put them in a basket on top of my showcase.I sell some for $5.00 and some for $10.00 depending on the size and decorations. They make really good craft fair items to make and sell, and don't take hardly any fabric and 1 steel pad. I wrap some batting around the wool pad to make it easier to bend and shape it.