★ Cross Stitch Patterns & Needlepoint Stitches | Free Designs and Technique Instructions ★

Needlepoint is where stitches are added to a cotton mesh canvas until it's completely covered. The mesh comes in different sizes, which are labelled like 10:1 (also called 10 count or #10), 14:1, or 18:1. 10:1 for instance means that there will be 10 stitches per inch of canvas, and this is the larger size so is therefore better for beginners to use.

The thickness of the yarn depends on what gauge the mesh of your canvas is. If you are using a smaller 18:1 mesh you might need to separate your yarn and use one strand at a time. If you are using a larger mesh ( 13:1 or 10:1) you might use 2 or 3 strands at a time.
Needlepoint traditionally uses wool. Appleton makes two types of wool yarn that would work well for needlepoint. The first is the Crewel Yarn which is the perfect weight for 18:1 mesh canvases. For 13:1 mesh canvases, look to Appleton Tapestry Yarn.

Handpainted canvases are all meticulously hand painted to make sure that the design is placed correctly on the grid of the mesh.
To start needlepoint you will need a needlepoint needle, small pointed scissors, yarn and canvas mesh. A lot of people also use a tapestry frame or stretcher bars to hold the canvas in place as they work, and you can also buy pre-printed canvas where the design is already worked out for you.

Finished needlepoint can be used like other fabric to make objects such as pillows, bags, purses and phone cases, or you could use it simply as wall art or use it to reupholster a chair etc.

Tent stitch refers to a family of needlepoint stitches worked diagonally over one intersection of canvas mesh. Tent stitch can be used to work the main design, or the background areas of the canvas.

Petit Point is a type of needlepoint where smaller, finer stitches are used. Petit Point is therefore often used to create mini furnishings for doll's houses.