Yes, Hornet’s needle (her signature weapon) can be upgraded in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and it’s one of the biggest power spikes you’ll get in Silksong. Early enemies in Pharloom might be like sponges, taking more hits to get killed than you expect, and hard bosses will test your patience coming like brick walls. But once you sharpen the needle, the combat’s pace will completely change. This needle upgrade process isn’t instant, though. You’ll have to progress through some regions, clear a few main bosses, and unlock Bellhart before you meet the NPC Nailsmith who performs the upgrade for you. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hollow Knight: Silksong needle upgrade.
How to Upgrade Needle in Hollow Knight: Silksong
The one who handles your upgrades is Needlesmith Pinmaster Plinney, a craftsbug who lives in Bellhart, a town wrapped up in cursed silk when you first arrive. You won’t see him until you push through Shellwood, defeat Sister Splinter, grab the Cling Grip art, and use it to climb into Widow’s lair above Bellhart.
Defeat Widow during “The Threadspun Town” quest, free the town from the curse, and Bellhart will spring back to life. From then on, Plinney’s workshop (easy to spot thanks to the needle-and-pin sign above the door) is open for business.
First Needle Upgrade
Plinney is generous the first time around; he upgrades Hornet’s needle for free as a thank-you for saving Bellhart. You just have to choose “Sharpen Needle Upgrade” when the option appears. Even though the stat boost is not much, shaving one strike off common enemies or giving yourself more effective boss damage adds up fast over long fights. Every bit of upgrade improves the strength in this intense silky world.
Second Needle Upgrade
After the first upgrade, Plinney mentions that further needle upgrade is possible to make it more powerful but he needs Pinmaster’s Oil (or Pale Oil), a rare resource for it. This item can be found in Pharloom’s Citadel, the towering late-game hub above Bellhart. You’ll need to progress through the story further until you reach this zone, so don’t expect to get it right after Widow.
Bring Plinney the Oil, and he’ll push your needle’s damage up another notch. From what’s been uncovered so far, you can expect multiple upgrades over the game course, likely around four in total if Silksong reflects Hollow Knight’s nail system at the cost of rare materials every time.
Why You Should Prioritize Needle Upgrades
In Silksong, enemies are tougher and with more higher HP bars than Hollow Knight. Every sharpen means less time stuck in long combos, fewer chances to mess up during boss patterns, and more breathing room to heal or reposition. Combine these upgrades with new Ancestral Arts you’ll pick along the way. The needle upgrade makes the even mid-game difficulty curve manageable by giving you some much-needed breathing room before Pharloom starts to throw horrors your way.
