My aunt was darning socks (along time ago when they did) and had to answer the phone. She always had the sewing basket nearby and stuck the needle into the sock and darning ball and would put it to the bottom of the basket, then close the lid. My Uncle needed a safety pin and didn't close the lid. My cousins ran and jumped on the couch and one of them rammed that darning needle right into the side of her knee with the eye of the needle penetrating and going right under the knee cap. They threw the darning needles away and just bought more socks. The kids never jumped on the couch either after that. they were afraid there were more needles. had a friend that would always check to see if a blade was sharp, yep with her fingers. I told her to invest in Johnson and Johnson.