針子 is read as はりこ (hariko) and means seamstress.
はりこ
hariko
おはりこ
seamstress
はり
counter for stitches
はりがね
wire
しんろ
course
はりせんぼん
porcupinefish (Diodon holacanthus)
はりがねざいくひょうげん
wire frame representation
はりめ
seam
はりのめ
eye of a needle
はりやま
pincushion
はりのやま
hell's mountain of needles
はりしごと
needlework
はりがねざいく
wirework