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One-Hour Needlepoint
Course
If you can answer "yes" to these questions you could be needlepointing
now!
- Can you thread a needle?
- Can you learn two stitches?
Needles
The needles used in needlepointing are called tapestry needles. The one thing
that is special about them is that they are purposely rounded on the tip. This will help you avoid sewing through
yarn that you have previously stitched into your work.
Size 13 is the largest, size 26 the smallest. The smaller the number, the larger the needle.
What is the correct size to use? The needle must be small enough to pass through the hole in the canvas and large
enough to allow you to use enough yarn to cover the canvas.
Yarn
Many yarns are used in needlepointing but the learner should start with Persian
3 ply wool. This is not just for beginners. It is probably the most popular needlepoint yarn. A reliable brand
is Paternayan.
Knitting yarn is not the same as needlepoint yarn. Be sure any fiber you obtain has been successfully used in needlepointing.
Other yarns include tapestry yarn, perle cotton, 6 ply cotton floss, silk floss, and special metallic yarns.
Canvas
Look in our Glossary to read more about canvas and in our Tips to learn how to prepare it for use. Learners should start with "Mono"
Canvas.
The Basketweave Stitch
A diagonal stitch that crosses over the intersection of a vertical and a horizontal
thread in the needlepoint canvas. Each succeeding and adjacent stitch must then be placed in a diagonal row rather
than a vertical or horizontal row. At the end of each diagonal row the stitching direction is reversed. Here is
one popular rule: Start in the upper right corner. Make one stitch. Make one stitch to the left. Move diagonally
down and to the right and make one stitch. Move down one and make a stitch. Move up and left and make a stitch.
Move up and to the left again and make one stitch. Move left horizontally one and make a stitch. Move down and
to the right and make a stitch. And so forth . . . Said in another way: Down one diagonal row, up one diagonal
row, down one, up one, down one, up one. . .
Fig. 1 is a diagram of the stitching order.
Practice until you get the idea and can work the stitch in irregularly shaped
areas.
The Continental Stitch
A diagonal stitch that crosses over the intersection of a horizontal and vertical
thread of the needlepoint canvas. Each succeeding stitch is placed to the immediate left or right forming a horizontal
row or each succeeding stitch is placed immediately above or below forming a vertical row. The appearance from
the "right side" of the work is the same as the basketweave stitch, but technically and practically it
is not the same and should be used only when stitching one row of a color.
Fig. 2
Practice until you can make the transition from a block of Basketweave to a row of Continental and then back again.
Are You Ready?
The best way to really get started is to order a kit from us. It will have everything
you need including the correct needle and a detailed step-by-step method. It is not difficult and we know from
experience that having the correct and best materials available are very encouraging to a learner. Is there a particularly
easy one for beginners? Yes. Many veteran stitchers started with a pillow kit.
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