Free Beginner Needlepoint Guide

It is so exciting to see how quickly needlepoint is growing as a creative outlet and art form in the last couple of years. For the new needlepointers out there, here is my comprehensive guide to help you get started, with different topics that I hope will make it easier for you to begin!

In this guide, I cover the following:

• Glossary of basic terms
• How to choose your first project
• Essential tools and supplies for needlepointing
• Basic stitch types
• How to begin stitching your canvas
• Finishing options for your completed canvas

Needlepoint Glossary for Beginners

• Canvas - An open weave fabric used for stitching. Canvases come in different mesh counts
• Mesh Count - Mesh count refers to the number of holes per inch in the canvas e.g. 13 mesh means there are 13 holes per inch. A higher mesh count will mean a more detailed design. The most common needlepoint mesh counts available are 13 mesh and 18 mesh. 
• Stretcher Bars - Wooden bars that attach together to make a frame, that you can tack your canvas on to hold it taut
  
• Skein - A loosley twisted bundle of thread. This term is commonly interchanged with "threads" or "fibers"
  
• Stitch Painted - A painting technique where the paint is precisely applied to each canvas intersection, so the stitcher knows exactly where each stitch goes
  
• Stitch Guide - A stitch guide provides you with recommended threads and stitch types to help you stitch your canvas. These can be free or purchased, depending on the needlpoint designer. I offer free stitch guides for many of my canvases!
  

Choosing Your First Project

So you can ease into needlepoint, I recommend looking out for a few things when selecting your first canvas:

• A simple design with larger shapes and only a handful of colors
• 13 mesh canvas Compared to 18 mesh canvases, 13 mesh canvases are easier on the eyes because of the larger canvas holes and require less precision, making it easier to learn on.
  
• A stitch painted canvas which clearly shows where each stitch should go. Most designers offer stitch painted canvases, however, there are also 'artistically' painted canvases, where it may not always be obvious where you should lay your next stitch. There is nothing better or worse between the two painting styles, it is only that I think stitch painted will be easiest to learn on.

A good example of a simple, 13 mesh, stitch painted canvas is my sunnies canvas below!

Essential Tools and Supplies

Before you start stitching your canvas, you'll need a few tools to get started

Item	Description
Needles	Use tapestry needles, which have a blunt tip. Tapestry needles come in sizes 18-24, where the higher the number means the thinner/smaller the needle. Please see chart below for selecting your needle type.
Threads	Pick threads that match the color of your canvas. Popular options include Planet Earth Essentials, Silk and Ivory, and DMC floss. Please see chart below for selecting your thread type.
Scissors	Sharp embroidery scissors for a clean cut. These don't need to be expensive. You can find them as cheap as $3 on Amazon
Stretcher Bars and Brass Tacks	My favorite brand is Edmunds stretcher bars. Pick bars that match the size of your overall canvas. Stretcher bars keep canvases taut and help prevent warping. They are absolutely optional and a personal preference, however, I find it's easier to learn to stitch with bars.

 

Recommended Needle	Mesh Count	Thread Type
Size 20	13 Mesh	Silk & Ivory, DMC 3 Pearl Cotton, Planet Earth Wool
Size 24	18 mesh	Tili Tomas Essentials, DMC 5 Pearl Cotton, Vineyard Silk

 

I recommend Bohnin or DMC brand needles.

As you stitch more, you will find your favorite threads. My personal favorites are Tili Tomas Essentials for 18 mesh and Planet Earth Wool for 13 mesh projects. For an economical but durable choice, I enjoy stitching with DMC pearl cotton.

You can purchase these supplies from a mix of places like needlepoint stores (online or in store), Amazon, and craft stores like Michaels.

Basic Stitches

I highly recommend starting with a basic stitch, such as the ones below, before beginning to use decorative stitches. 

Stitch	Coverage	Notes
Continental	Medium	Good beginner choice
Basketweave	Full	Doesn't distort canvas, stitched on a diagonal
Half-cross	Light	Low coverage stitch that can cause warping, good beginner choice

 

Continental Diagram:

Basketweave Diagram:

Beginning Your Stitches 

1. Cut about 12-18 inches of thread off. Avoid going longer than this as it can become unwieldy.
2. Make a knot. Tie a small knot at the end of your thread. This knot is temporary and will sit on the front of your canvas.
3. Insert your needle through the front of the canvas about 1-2 inches away from the area of the design you plan to start stitching. Draw your thread fully through to the back of the canvas. The knot should now be visibile on the front of the canvas. 
   
4. Start your actual stitches on the painted portion of the canavas. You are stitching towards the direction of the knot you made, so that as you stitch, your stitches pass over the thread on the back, anchoring it.
5. At the end of your thread, leave about 2 inches behind, and secure the thread by running your needle under the stitches on the back side of the canvas. It's important you do this or your stitches will come loose.
   

If you are a visual person, I recommend searching on YouTube "waste knot method" as there are many helpful videos.

Finishing Your Canvas

Stitched canvases can be finished into so many options such as framed art, ornaments, pillows, acrylic trays and more. Check out Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration! 

You can either self-finish your items or send them out to a needlepoint finisher who specializes in turning your completed canvas into its final piece. There are many tutorials online for self-finishing. For professional finishing, I recommend reaching out to a needlepoint store to inquire about pricing and mailing your canvas in. My favorite finisher is Rittenhouse Needlepoint.

A little look into what a canvas versus its finished product looks like below! 

 

I hope you enjoy the beginning of your stitching journey! If you have any questions on getting started, please feel free to reach out to me at kaylee@lakeshoreneedlepoint.com