With the recent resurgence of needlepoint, you may be searching for tips on needlepoint for beginners as you want to begin your adventure into this screen-free preppy hobby.
Needlepointing has been a beloved hobby for years, but with the recent trend of grandmillennial style the hobby has had quite the resurgence. There are so many needlepoint resources out there, but very few resources go over needlepoint for beginners.
Navigating canvases, threads, and all of the different tools and accessories can be daunting but with this post, you’ll be able to dive into the world of needlepoint in an easy to understand way.
This post is all about needlepoint for beginners.
This post details needlepoint basics for beginners including how to start, common terminology, and tips for your beginner needlepoint projects.
Needlepoint Terminology
Canvas: What you will stitch your needlepoint project on. Canvases come in two different mesh counts: 13 or 18.
Fibers or Threads: What you will use to create our needlepoint project. Fibers or threads are available in a variety of different types including cotton, silk, wool, and metallic. Some popular fibers are DMC Perle Cotton and Silk & Ivory.
Skein: Individual thread that has been bundled up into a single until that is then sold by a retailer.
Finishing: Once you’ve completed your canvas, it will now be finished into a final product with backing. This could be a complete Christmas stocking, a door sign, or sunglasses holder.
Mesh: A needlepoint canvas is made of cotton and is available in a different mesh sizes. There are different mesh size guides, which refer to the size of the holes you’ll be threading your fiber through. A canvas with a lower mesh count (10-14 mesh) is ideal for a beginner as the holes are further apart. An 18 mesh is one of the most common sizes and often has more intricate detailing and is much more difficult than a 13 mesh.
Stitch Guide: Some canvases will include a stitch guide, which is a set of instructions outlining what stitches to use on the canvas, and when to use them. These are great to have as a beginner or if you’re working on a more intricate canvas.
Waste Knot: Before you make your first stitch, you will use a waste knot to secure your thread when you start to stitch your canvas. Once your canvas is complete, you’ll snip this off.
Basic Needlepoint Stitches
Needlepointing can be mastered easily by learning the right basic stitches. A great stitch to start with is the continental stitch, which creates beautiful designs and should be the first stitch every needlepoint beginner learns.
Continental Stitch:
This is the most common needlepoint stitch. For this easy stitch, you will work in a horizontal row from right to left. To learn this stitch, refer to this continental stitch video tutorial and this continental stitch guide.
Pay attention to how the stitches look on the back of the canvas.
Basketweave Stitch:
Once you’ve mastered the continental stitch, you can move on to the basketweave stitch. This stitch works in a diagonal pattern up and down the canvas. To learn this stitch, refer to the video below and this basketweave stitch guide.
Needlepoint for Beginners Tips
One of the best ways to learn how to needlepoint is from someone who already knows how to needlepoint. This way, they’re able to walk you through getting started, common mistakes, and their terminology.
Your local needlepoint store might also have classes if you don’t know someone that needlepoints.
However, it is possible to teach yourself how to needlepoint with the help of beginners needlepoint kits. These kits will include a starter canvas, fiber or thread, needles, and embroidery scissors. It’s recommended to start with smaller designs to help learn the stitching basics.
YouTube is a great resource
If you get stuck along the way, there are countless tutorials on YouTube that give a better visualization on how to fix a mistake or learning how to do a specific stitch. Needlepoint.com has countless videos on their YouTube channel with tips for getting started and honing your skill.
Find a local needlepoint shop
Most towns have local needlepoint shops that are great resources for learning and purchasing anything you might need to start your next needlepoint project. The staff at a needlepoint store are always so helpful, too and it will become one of your favorite places! Whether you are trying to figure out what thread to get or you just need a beginner’s guide, they’ll be able to help!
When you are just starting out and aren’t using a needlepoint kit, go in person to pick up threads. This will allow you to feel the different weights, see the colors in real life, and ask for assistance if you’re confused. Local shops always have the best thread selection, too!
Start with the right size thread
Using the right size thread for your canvas can completely change the needlepoint experience. Using thread that is too thin won’t give you enough coverage where a thread that’s too thick will cause pulling and make the stitching look messy. Also, be sure to start stitching by color, not by starting at the top of the canvas.
Start with the lightest color thread
When working on your canvas, start with the lightest colors on the canvas and continually stitch darker colors. Doing this will ensure darker threads don’t show through on lighter threads, or show up through the canvas.
Start small
When first learning to needlepoint, start with a small, simple stitch design that doesn’t have more than five colors. This will help you practice and keep you from getting overwhelmed.
Needlepoint takes time to master so don’t expect to master it on the first day. There are a lot of basics to learn and these are the building blocks of needlepointing; you’ll want to master these! Start slow and be patient and your needlepoint skills will grow over time.
What You Need to Needlepoint
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Canvas
The most exciting part of needlepointing is picking out a canvas (the design you’ll be needlepointing). There are so many amazing canvases out there but you should absolutely start by stitching a design that excites you whether that be a floral design, a saying, a simple pattern, or an ornament.
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Thread or Fibers
Fibers, threads, or silk are what you will use to create your needlepoint project. The thread weight will correlate to the mesh size of your canvas. Selecting the right combination will ensure they pull through the canvas without tugging.
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Tapestry Needles
Needle sizes vary and are dependent on the mesh size of your canvas. For example, for a 13 mesh canvas you would use a size 20 needle.
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Stretcher Bars
As you work on your design, your stitches will pull and distort the end shape of your canvas. With the help of stretcher bars, your canvas will keep it’s shape and it makes it so much easier to hold the canvas while you stitch.
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Embroidery Scissors
A sharp pair of embroidery scissors will make it easy to snip your thread. If you’re going to be taking your canvases on the go with you and will be throwing your sharp scissors in a bag, make sure to get a pair with a protective case like this pair.
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Carrying Case
While a carrying case isn’t absolutely necessary when you first start needlepointing, it’s a great way to keep all of your canvases and threads organized. There are plenty of needlepoint carrying cases out there but you can also go the simple route and simply use a bag that zips up.
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Needle Minders
A needle minder is a magnet that secures to your canvas that you can rest your needle on. This isn’t something you need to get started but it’s a convenient accessory that keeps your needle secure when not in use.
Where to Buy Beginner Needlepoint Canvases
Greystone Needlepoint, Morgan Julia Designs, Alice Peterson Company, Lycette Designs, Penny Linn Designs, and Needlepoint.com all have collections with curated canvases specifically for needlepoint beginners. There are also plenty of online stores such as Amazon that sell needlepoint canvases for beginners.
For your first project, consider beginners needlepoint kits, which includes everything you’ll need to get started.
The patterns and designs in beginner kits are also easier and perfect for just starting out.
MONOGRAM COASTER KIT
For the kitchen, start with monogrammed coasters – you can also turn it into a magnet or frame it to hang up! This easy needlepoint kit would be great to learn the basics on.
GINGER JAR COASTER KIT
Ginger jars are the ultimate grandmillennial decor item! Incorporate them into your home with this ginger jar needlepoint coaster kit. This needlepoint canvas for beginners is perfect because it comes with threads too!
BLUE STRIPE KEY FOB KIT
Key fobs are one of the easiest needlepoint designs for beginners. This blue stripe key fob kit comes with everything you need, including stitch guides, to start your first design.
GRANDMILLENNIAL KIT
For the grandmillennial style lover, this this beginner needlepoint kit is a gorgeous blue and white block print and includes everything you need to get started!
As you search for beginner needlepoint kits, at a minimum look for ones that includes your first canvas, a low count mesh, and a needle for your first needlepoint project.
What to Do with Your Finished Needlepoint Canvases
Once you have finished your needlepoint canvas, it’s time to turn it into a final product! Ornaments, pillows, belts, stockings, and key fobs tend to be the most popular but the options are truly endless.
This is where needlepoint can get expensive. If you’re going to be sending away a canvas to a finisher, the price can start anywhere around $50 and can grow upwards of $200. To keep price expectations clear, start a canvas with an end project in mind so you can be prepared!
Another great way to show off your projects is by simply framing your canvas or using it in an acrylic tray or photo frame. You can do this at home or you can send it to a company like Framebridge to have it framed for you.
This post was all about needlepoint for beginners.
Hopefully this guide gets you started on the right path with your needlepoint journey. You’ll love stitching new canvases and before you know it will have a whole collection of completed projects (or maybe even a backlog of canvases).
For more preppy feminine hobbies like needlepoint read the full list.
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