As a new stitcher, it can be overwhelming to navigate various needlepoint terms and lingo! In this post we will walk you through some helpful needlepoint terms to know.
Canvas - Refers to the mesh fabric that needlepoint designs are painted on. TCS sells only Zweigart canvas which is the highest quality canvas, produced in Germany. Most needlepoint canvases are painted on either 13 mesh or 18 mes - which refers to the gauge of the canvas. 18 mesh (or 18M) canvas has 18 intersections, or stitches, per inch and 13 mesh (or 13M) has 13 stitches per inch. We recommend 13 mesh for your first project as the intersections are set wider apart and are a bit easier to see when getting started! Ultimately, both mesh sizes are popular and which mesh size to stitch is more a matter of personal preference.
Tapestry Needles - The type of needles used for needlepointing! They come in various sizes and are much less sharp than your average needle. Size 20 needles are commonly used for 13 mesh canvas, size 22 needles can be used on 13 or 18 mesh, and size 24 needlers are commonly used for 18 mesh canvas.
Dye Lots - Dye lots refer to the batch that fibers are dyed in. Most, but not all, needlepoint fibers are dye lotted. This means that the manufacturer only guarantees color consistency across a color's dye lot. Meaning Silk & Ivory Regatta Lot 1 will be a slightly different color than Silk & Ivory Regatta Lot 2. What this means is that when stitching with a dye lotted fiber, you should be careful to purchase enough of the same dye lot to complete your project.
Orts - Refers to the bits and pieces of leftover fibers that are cut off while stitching a canvas.
Tension - Refers to the tightness of your stitches. It is a best practice to try to keep the same tension while stitching, in order to give your stitches as consistent of an appearance as possible.
Now that you have mastered the critical needlepoint terms you are ready for your next project!