As most of you know, I’m relatively new to needlepoint but who better than a newbie to help get you started! Good luck and RIP your bank account <3.
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Ndlpt For Beginners
Getting Started
The first things you’ll need are a beginner-level canvas, needle, thread, and scissors. That’s it! Some canvases come ‘kitted,’ which means you purchase a kit of a canvas, thread, and needle. This is nice because you don’t have to hunt for matching thread on your own. Here are some of my picks for beginner kits.
The ladies who work in the needlepoint stores are your best resources for learning this craft. My local store in Atlanta is The Nimble Needle. Start by searching for your local shop on Google.
Here is an entire page dedicated to beginner canvases and kits.
PLEASE read my FAQs below before you start buying willy-nilly! There’s some things you need to know, particularly about how to make sure your canvas size, needle size, and thread size are all correct.
Threading & Stitching
The hardest part about getting started is understanding how to thread a needle and how to make a stitch - both are easy to learn!
Penny Linn needlepoint store has put out great explanatory videos, and of course there is no shortage of videos on needlepoint across the web. Here are some good ones to start with:
How to do a continental stitch (this is the first and easiest stitch that all beginners must know)
How to do basketweave (this is the second stitch you should learn)
Where Can I Shop?
Needlepoint is still somewhat of an old lady hobby so a lot of canvases are not really my style but there are a few shops/brands who sell great contemporary designs.
There are needlepoint canvas designers, like Coco Frank Studio, who sell their designs directly to consumers on their websites but also sell to shops like Greystone Needlepoint or Penny Linn. There are also a few designers who only sell their canvases to shops directly.
These are my favorite places to buy canvases:
Beginner-Friendly Canvases
Needlepoint FAQs
Is needlepoint expensive?
It can be. A small canvas and thread might run you $40-$70, depending on the artist. BUT it lasts forever, it’s way cheaper than therapy, and you can make gifts and heirlooms. Also, we all need an outlet and a creative hobby these days. So, worth it.
What’s the easiest stitch to start with?
The tent stitch (kind of like the continental stitch). That’s the one everyone starts with. It’s just a little diagonal stitch that repeats over and over until your brain turns off and you forget to check your phone.
What do I do when I finish a canvas?
You have options! You can make an ornament, pillow, coaster, acrylic tray, clutch, or just hoard it in a drawer. I have also framed them before.
How long does a project take?
Depends on the size of the canvas and how often you stitch. A small coaster might take a few evenings. A giant pillow will take weeks or month depending on how often you pick it up. I recommend starting small!!
Can I travel with it?
YES, and it’s the best travel hobby. Airport delays become less tragic when you’ve got a canvas and a Ziploc of yarn. Bonus: TSA won’t confiscate your tapestry needle.
What if I mess up?
Pull the stitches out and try again. Be careful that you don’t rip the canvas. I bought a sewing kit and used those tools to pull out stitches.
Is this the same as cross stitch or embroidery?
Different but related. Cross stitch uses x-shaped stitches on grid fabric. Embroidery is freehand stitching. Needlepoint uses a canvas with a painted design and specific stitches. Think of it like needlepoint = paint-by-numbers.
What’s the deal with needle sizes and canvas mesh?
Here’s the quick and dirty version:
Canvas mesh is how many holes per inch. 13 mesh = bigger holes = thicker thread = easier to see. 18 mesh = smaller holes = finer detail = thinner thread = squint city.
Your needle size should match the canvas. Use a #18 needle for 13 mesh and a #22 or #24 needle for 18 mesh. Don’t overthink it—your kit or shop will usually tell you what size to use.
If you’re new, start with 13 mesh. It’s more forgiving and easier on the eyeballs.
Your thread size will also need to match the canvas size so be aware of that!