Ready to dive into the colorful world of needlepoint? It’s fun, relaxing, and you create something amazing with your own hands. It can be intimidating, so we've broken it down step by step:
1. Gather Your Supplies 🧵
You’ll need:
- Canvas: Choose a beginner canvas you love! Some of our favorites are here. A good beginner canvas includes only a handful of colors, a larger mesh size, and is relatively simple in composition.
- Thread: Canvases are stitches with thread, which cover the painted design of the canvas. Our recommendation is to choose "kitting" for your first project, so that it comes with everything you need to get started!
- Needle: All of our canvases come with a tapestry needle and threader.
- Scissors: Any small pair of scissors works, but our favorites are the Bohin Crane Scissors.
2. Get Set Up! 📏
Lay your canvas flat, or pop it on stretcher bars. Make sure you have good lighting—no one wants to stitch in the dark!
3. Thread Your Needle 🎉
Cut a piece of thread about 18 inches long. Thread it through your needle and tie a knot at the end.
4. Start Stitching! 🌈
You'll start with the Tent Stitch, which is a basic half-cross stitch. It is easiest to start doing the Tent Stitch in Continental!
- Find Your Starting Point: Start from the back of the canvas.
- Push the Needle Up: Bring it through to the front where you want to start.
- Stitch Down: Go back down through the next hole (think of it like making a tiny ‘X’).
- Keep Going: Continue this pattern, row by row, filling in your design.
5. Take Breaks & Admire Your Work 🌟
Don’t forget to step back and check out your progress! Needlepoint is all about enjoying the journey. We like to do a few stitches here & there while watching TV, sipping our coffee in the morning, or over a glass of wine with friends!
6. Finish Up! 🥳
Once you’ve completed your design, tie off the thread on the back and trim any excess. Voila! You’ve made something beautiful!
7. Show It Off! 🖼️
Whether it’s a keychain, a wall hanging, or a gift for a friend, let the world see your masterpiece. Learn more about the finishing process and what you can turn your masterpiece into with our Finishing 101 Guide!
Check out our guides on Threads and a Guide on Basic Needlepoint Terms you will see!
