Basic Needlepoint Supplies

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Author: Catherine Matthews-Scanlon

Gather a few basic needlepoint supplies and you'll be ready to begin this enjoyable craft.

Canvas:
The most important thing to know about needlepoint canvas is that it is measured in the number of mesh per inch, and the mesh count relates to the weight of yarn/thread and the size of needle to use. There are several types of canvas to choose from: mono, interlock, petit point, and others. Interlock canvas is very stable and less prone to distortion because of the way it is woven. If you are new to needlepoint, this is a good canvas to use.

Blank canvas can be obtained by the roll or pre-cut to specific sizes. Pre-printed canvas is usually found in yarn or specialty stores, or in kits that include the printed canvas and all the yarn needed for the project. The accuracy of the print following the grain of the canvas is usually good, but not necessarily perfect because of the printing method used. A hand-painted canvas, as you might assume, can be painted perfectly, but the cost is substantially more.

When working with any type of canvas, use masking tape to bind the edges to prevent them from unraveling or catching your yarn or thread as you stitch. Cut your canvas to the size of your design plus 2-3 inches all around to allow for your finishing method (framing, pillow, cushion, etc.).

Tapestry Needle:
Needlepoint is done with a tapestry needle. This needle has a blunt tip and a large eye to hold yarn. A needle with a sharp tip has a tendency to separate the strands of the yarns as you stitch creating a messy canvas. The bluntness of a tapestry needle actually allows you to push the yarn to the side as you work. Tapestry needles come in many sizes, so be sure to get a needle that is sized for the canvas you are using. Use this handy guide to help you decide what size needle you need:

Needlepoint can be stitched in yarn or thread, or a combination of the two. Other materials include perle cotton, silk, metallics, and blending filaments. Yarn may be wool or acrylic, and either might come as separable (Persian) or non-separable (tapestry) types. If it is Persian, it is 3-ply and you can separate the ply and use any combination of strands to stitch depending on the mesh count of the canvas. The tapestry type yarns are to be used as they come.
 

Embroidery thread is gaining popularity for stitching needlepoint, partly because of its more vivid color range, its sheen, and its flexibility in the number of strands to be used for stitching. Whichever materials you use, the ideal is for the canvas threads to be covered by the stitching, but not buckling under the thickness of it. If you are creating your own design, it would be a good idea to experiment with the number or strands for stitching on the canvas you choose. If you work from a kit, it is already determined for you.

When working on needlepoint, it’s very important to have the canvas stretched on a frame, ideally tacked on all four sides to prevent distortion as you stitch. A frame helps to keep your work smooth and even as you work, and can allow you to stitch with both hands at once (a real speed advantage). There are several choices:

Stretcher Bars:
These come in sets of two of the same length. You put together two sets to match the size of your piece of canvas so that the entire piece is exposed for stitching. Tape the canvas edges, and then use a heavy-duty stapler to secure the canvas to the frame. For stitching, you can lean it against a table edge or put it into a stand to free both hands for stitching.

A scroll frame stretches your canvas on only two sides, but still provides tension on the canvas for stitching. The advantage of a scroll frame is that you can roll up the ends of the canvas you are not working on, making the project a bit smaller and more portable.

Floor Frame:
A floor frame allows you to stretch extra large canvas pieces from 36” to 68” wide (such as a rug).

Whether or not you wear glasses, this hand tool will certainly make an easy job of threading your needle Simply insert the threader into the eye of the needle, insert the yarn into the threader, and pull the threader with the yarn back through the eye.

Be sure to use a pair that is sharp with a fine tip so that you can snip your yarn or thread ends close to the canvas.

Grab a starter kit or gather your own collection of needlepoint supplies and dive into this fun hobby. Give it a try—you might discover a new crafting passion! Be sure to share some of your projects in our Creative Gallery!