BASIC Needlepoint TIPS!

Elsa here. The #1 question I get daily, whether via DM or e-mail, is how to needlepoint! I started needlepointing back in high school, when a friend was stitching a belt, and she taught me the basics (I went to boarding school, and dorm activities were slim!) In high school and college I stitched myself silly with belts and keychains (they were all the rage), and then took a break when I was in the working world. Why? Unclear, but I wish I had kept up with it! When needlepoint started to really “trend” earlier last year, I picked up a canvas and got back into it. It wasn’t long before I was back and fully hooked. My friend Carly, also a needlepointer, and I decided to take a leap of faith and join a local stitch club! It was a fun way to socialize and feed our growing obsession. The fixation continued, and now I rarely find myself going a few days without picking up a canvas. It’s such a beautiful hobby, it’s cathartic, and most of all, it’s fun! 

It is really simple to learn the basic stitches (#1 being the continental stitch), and if you sit down with YouTube or a seasoned friend, you’ll find yourself stitching away before you know it. That being said, I am not a teacher lol. Trust me, I tried to teach art for two summers in college, and I think I make a much better student. So, instead of making a “how-to” guide, I am going to round up what you’ll need, and all my favorite needlepoint resources and shops that will help teach you the tricks of the trade in no time! 

Needlepoint basics to get started: 

1. A canvas: It may seem self-explanatory, but a canvas is the painted mesh you’ll stitch to create your needlepoint. Canvases come with various mesh sizes, mainly #13, #14 and #18. Be sure to note what size your mesh is, because it will determine your needle and fibers. 
2. Needles: You will need a needle, and its size will depend on your canvas mesh. Usually these range in sizes between 20-24, depending on your canvas. Here is a great guide on how to pick your needle. Most canvases will come with an appropriate needle, but always double check. 
3. Fibers: Fibers are your basic threads, which you’ll need to stitch your canvas. There are silk, wool and cotton options. Silk is the priciest, but it glides through the mesh so well. Wool creates a certain aesthetic that feels old-timey and is good for anything receiving a lot of wear. Cotton is the best all-purpose fiber that works for many projects, and it is the most reasonably priced. Some fibers work on all mesh sizes, but it depends on the brand and type. Be sure to check you have the right thickness, because you could run into some trouble if it is an oversized thread! 
   

If you are a beginner who finds the various components overwhelming, Needlepoint.com KITS are also a great place to start.

Helpful Accessories: 

1. Scissors: You do not need to have needlepoint scissors, but with a sharp pair, you will get a cut with more precision, that will allow you to thread your fiber through the needle more easily. 
2. Threader: A threader is the #1 accessory I can recommend! I have stocky fingers and it is hard for me to thread my fiber through the needle. A threader will allow you to efficiently get your thread through the needle and be stitching in no time. 
3. Needle minder: a needle minder is a fancy name for a two-part magnet! You put it on your canvas, and when you are in-between stitches, you just let your needle rest on the minder so it doesn’t get lost. 

My Favorite Online How-To Guides to teach you how to needlepoint: 

1. Needlepoint.com: How to Needlepoint (includes their YouTube tutorial and other videos. They also offer online classes!)
2. Thorn Alexander: Needlepoint Resources
3. Carly The Prepster: Needlepoint for Beginners 
4. Needlepoint.com: Finishing your canvas

My Favorite Canvases: 

I love to visit my local needlepoint shop to purchase my canvases. Below are some of my favorite artists as well as some online resources!

1. Morgan Julia Designs 
2. Silver Stitch Needlepoint 
3. Thorn Alexander 
4. Jessica Tongel 
5. Pip and Roo Needleworks (my friend’s mom started this company!)
6. Lycette Designs (call to order!)
7. The Plum Stitchery
8. Needlepoint.com KITS (great for beginners)

My Favorite General Needlepoint shops (canvases, fibers and accessories):

1. Needlepoint.com (the best of the best for anything needlepoint!)
2. Seaside Needlepoint in Vero Beach, FL
3. Edwardian Needle in Fairfield, NJ
4. Wool and Grace in Summit, NJ
5. Needlepoint.com Threads
6. KC Needlepoint (awesome fiber inventory)
7. Morgan Julia Designs (the most adorable accessories!)
8. Annie and Co. Needlepoint in NY, NY (call the shop for any help, they are amazing!)

Ginger Jar and Tent: Jessica Tongel Designs
Shady: Morgan Julia Designs
Preppy is Always In: Needlepoint.com
Press for Champagne: Silver Stitch Needlepoint
Jeep: Thorn Alexander