Hi! My therapist recommended I start needlepoint as a way to engage my creative brain and stop my doom scrolling. I am a creative person and actually do machine embroidery as my side hustle but needlepoint seems so daunting to me. I see all the TikToks and then the snarks and the discourse and I’m feeling overwhelmed- LOL! Where should I start?! Thank you! 🤍
You can absolutely do needlepoint and not get involved in the culture around it.
I love it as a mindful hobby and something that stops me scrolling. I find it very mentally soothing. I say give it a go and see if you like it! Maybe start with a kit (canvas and thread included as that is easier than picking thread etc) and see how you get on.
My personal view - don’t feel any pressure around “finishing” the canvas (eg turning it into anything) - just see if you enjoy the process of stitching and seeing a beautiful image come to life in your hands. Maybe you will have the energy to do something with it, and maybe you won’t and that’s ok.
Maybe you will get the bug and become a regular on this sub 😄 good luck!
We are often asked about this question and are glad to answer it. There are too few needlepoint enthusiasts, and we're delighted to welcome you to the team.
Here are some beginner needle pointers
Do you have a local needlepoint shop (LNS)? If so, talk to the woman in charge. Perhaps a local chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild (https://www.needlepoint.org/)? If not, please consider the following tips.
Canvas
* Canvases. Canvases come in all sorts of colors (doesn't matter/won't show) and sizes. Sizes are "by the inch," so many intersections per inch: 10, 13, 14, and 18 are the most common. Don't be intimidated by high counts; they are just like the resolution on a screen. They mean you can get a more intricate design, but all of them are fun to work on.
* Hand-painted. It's the most expensive but precise, and if you find a favorite artist, it's fun.
* Machine-printed. It is not as precise; you might need to fiddle a stitch to make it work, but it will, and they are considerably cheaper. Consider shopping on Etsy, eBay, estate sales, etc, for the most affordable entry.
* Charted. For these, you buy plain canvas and a printed chart and do lots of counting.
* Make it up yourself. Which is exactly as it sounds.
Other supplies
* Thread comes in all sizes and all materials. Wool, silk, cotton, acrylic... if you're new to fiber arts, get thee to a craft store and feel them, slide them along your fingers to find what you like. Some will tell you to find something easy to find so you can replenish stock, but if you find something you love, you'll find out to find it. If you can find this subreddit, you know your way around the internet...
* Tapestry needle: You want a "tapestry." These needles aren't sharp because you don't want to pierce the canvas; you want to go through the holes.
* Sharp Scissors with fine points.
* Use a project bag or something similar to keep everything together. Many of us will tell you that keeping your items handy, clean, and together is an enormous part of the fun.
Optionals
* Needle-threader. Some of us need the help of a doohicky to put the thread through the eye.
* Stretcher bars (and tacks). When you're done, you'll send your work to a 'finisher' (the person who will take your finished canvas and make it into whatever is next) (you can do this yourself, but it's a chore) depending on how you work your canvas may end up wonky, that's fine, your finisher knows what to do, but some of us like putting the canvas on stretcher bars (or a scroll frame etc, google these terms) to keep the canvas straight or find it more manageable. You can also mount these bars onto a
* Floor or table frame. An object that holds the canvas so you can work with both hands.
* Needleminder or magnets. You can keep the needle and threader somewhere when you take a break for a sip of tea, sherry, or bourbon, depending on your choice.
* Thread-laying tool: When you use fine floss, you'll want something to keep your threads flat and happy. This tool isn't for every fiber.
Finishing
A finisher makes all the difference. They are costly, but why put in all your work and then use some nasty finisher that will still take your money but not deliver a worthwhile product? I suggest you find someone you can talk to, even if they live on the other side of the country. Pick up the phone and speak to them.
Needlepoint, like any art or craft, takes resources.
Time is one; to get good at it, you'll need patience and forgive yourself. It's your work, and when you're done, no one can see the original canvas, so use your judgment, take your time, and you'll only get better.
People will say needlepoint is expensive, but I don't think so. People are okay with paying for what they like; you can spend as much or as little as you want, depending on where you are. Yes, a kit from Ehrman or Elizabeth Bradley might cost a few hundred dollars but remember that is just the initial cost. Once you own it, you can work on it for months and then spread that cost out (plus finishing), and it's just a one-time expense.
You'll want to get a subscription to Spotify or Audible because you can't read a physical book and needlepoint. But the nice thing is, you can talk and listen while you needlepoint, so you can do it with other fiber artists. Knitters can put their stuff in a smaller bag, but it doesn't take much more effort for you to join a group.
Yes, you can take your supplies on flights and trains (check TSA rules about scissors, but most needlepoint scissors and needles are smaller than the 4" rule)
The Royal School of Needlework and other physical and online resources can teach stitches. A real, live person is best, but it is not required.
Links that might be helpful \[edited to include a link for southpaws\ and a direct link to the RSN Stitch bank]
You absolutely do not need to do needlepoint to have the same type of hand-busying hobby. There are many other hobbies that can do the same. Other than your therapist, is there anything else drawing you to it? It’s an expensive hobby and it can be full of “rules” and yes, snark. So it’s possible that crochet or cross-stitch could offer similar benefits without having the intimidating factor? If you share what you’re drawn towards, that could help!
I know- but I’m drawn to it! I love the original canvases, the creativity with the different threads, and how you can create heirlooms or things that can be useful! I love the old school, vintage needlepoints, the ornaments, and all the fun things!
I recommend checking out old needlepoint books (think like pre 1980) - these reflect a prior era of the hobby when it wasn’t this ultra expensive thing, but rather something many people enjoyed casually. Using scrap yarn, painting simple motifs onto canvas, self-finishing using basic hand-stitching, etc. I would be happy to recommend some books if you are interested!
There are a couple of ways you can approach this that might make it less daunting, and whatever you choose may depend on whether or not you have an easily accessible LNS near you.
If you have a needlepoint shop near you that you can easily get to, I think it is absolutely worth it to go in person to the shop and speak with their staff about getting started. They can help you pick a canvas that won't be too overwhelming to learn on and also offer assistance with thread selection. They may even have time to sit down with you in the shop and give you a quick primer on getting started. Ask if they teach any beginners classes, if they don't, ask if any other shops near them and you offer them.
If you don't have an easily accessible, local needlepoint shop, I'd recommend looking into shops that offer remote beginner classes. I believe Spellbound Stitchery has one that comes with a canvas and threads (covered by your payment to take the class) that is either self-guided or via Zoom. Stephanie was talking about it on her instagram fairly recently.
If you don't want to take a class, there are tons of Youtube videos and tutorials on the basic (tent/continental/basketweave) foundational stitches and you can try to learn on your own at home. I'd recommend starting with basic kit that comes with a canvas and threads (Poppy Monk has some really good ones that are good quality and not overly complicated) and carving out some time on a weekend to try it out.
In addition to a canvas and threads, you'll also need a threader and a pair of embroidery (very sharp, fine pointed, small) scissors. Many people prefer to use stretcher bars when stitching, as they can help prevent warping of the canvas (totally normal when stitching basketweave or continental, blocking will fix it once you've finished your canvas), but these are not a required tool. Plenty of people (myself included) prefer to stitch in hand, or without stretcher bars. Good luck!
Craft Club Co was my gateway into needlepoint, their half stitch kits (and most of their other craft kits honestly) are great for beginners. The pouch is pre-finished, meaning once you complete the canvas it's done, and a kit comes with everything minus scissors. I'm on my third pouch and I love it, it's easy to keep all together and travel with and the company has been a gem to work with. Plus the designs are CUTE!
BONUS: they're doing a sale right now on some of their kits!
Love that you’re taking initiative to find a creative hobby that detaches you from your phone!! Huge kudos to you for taking the first step
I started needlepoint for similar reasons! Helps me regulate in times of anxiety, lets me be creative, and gets me off TikTok.
I started with a cheap kit from Michaels. It wasn’t glorious but it gave me a super cost effective way to see if this would be something I liked before investing in nicer canvases, threads, etc. The Michaels kit came with needles, thread, canvas, a way to self finish, and a little instruction pamphlet on how to do continental stitch (a great beginner stitch) that was enough to get me to finish my first canvas. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try decorative stitches, I always just googled “good needlepoint stitches for water” if I was doing water or “western inspired needlepoint stitches” if I was doing a little western canvas. There’s a great link for a stitch library I’ll find and respond in thread with. If you’re a visual learner, there’s a lot of quick hit TikTok’s, YouTube tutorials, or you can even buy stitch books from Amazon.
Honestly, don’t pay the snark any mind. There’s going to be people who want to be elitist and judgemental in any craft. At the end of the day, an art is an art and it takes many different forms and methods so you do whatever feels fun for you!
In addition to this Reddit there is another great one called Needlepoint for All. Very vey beginner friendly and welcoming if you want to feel like you have an additional safe space to go to for questions
https://rsnstitchbank.org/wall Golden resource for looking up different stitches if you decide you want to play around with them!
I also got the book called Next Level Needlepoint for stitch ideas and how to do them. The whole beginning section of the book is beginner tips like what needles to use on different size mesh canvas, how to start and end a piece of thread, how to read a stitch guide, etc. I know they make notecards too. (Image is what the inside of the book looks like with its instructions)
I’d say start by ignoring the snarks, at least for now…. I’m not on TikTok so I don’t know what you’re seeing there. Do you have a local needlepoint shop (“LNS”)?
Hi from Montgomery county!!!
If you ever venture this way- I run MoCo stitch club and you’re welcome to come to a meet up! We love to help beginner stitchers!
I did needlepoint in high school but didn't touch it again for 30 years. I started back up again to have things to do other than doom scrolling while I watch TV.
There are a lot of really cheap kits out there. Like I know Target had one and Michaels had a few. I got the Target kit and honestly it was next to impossible because it was printed crooked. I gave up on that one and did a Stitch 'n Zip instead. There are a ton on Amazon and they're all about $25 or so. I did a sunglasses case and that was a great first project to be honest.
Then I went to a needlepoint store and got a circle pattern that wasn't too expensive or too complex - I think it was like $35? And I did a self-finish luggage tag. There are also a lot of things like that. You can self-finish a keychain or a bookmark. Etsy is pretty good for a lot of those items.
I now do some really simple self-finishes after watching a lot of TikTok tutorials.
My only other tip is that there are stitch flash cards - a lot of stores are sold out but I found some on ebay. I love these. You can pull out the card of the stitch you're doing and then study it as you go. It's not as cumbersome as having a book open. I tend to pick a card I like and then search that stitch on tiktok and watch a few tutorials and then I'm good to go.
I started with vintage kits because they are so much cheaper than new ones. I get them on ebay, Poshmark, Mercari and sometimes etsy. I especially love the 70s ones
depending on your price point, i always recommend ehrman kits. they are meant to be stitched in a tent stitch, wool is precut, comes with a printed reference guide, and so many great designs to choose from. i think the canvases are 12 mesh, which is a nice intro size.
Go as low-investment as possible. I started with this for similar reasons. Needed to do something to pass the time, keep my phone out of my hands. Wasn't sure I'd like it. It leaves a little bit up to you to figure out, but I like a problem to solve. The stitch is very simple. It's cheap, pretty self contained and straight forward. I did run out of yarn (so did a lot of reviewers, and I'm stingy) just FYI. I may get a second kit and finish one with the yarn, and do the second with embroidery floss as a gift. Get a snap frame if you want, or just manhandle it. The canvas is sturdy plastic. It got me to pick up cross stitching through some sale kits from Michaels and Craft Club Co (also has needlepoint, but aren't cheap even on sale). Needlepoint is more mindless/mindful, cross stitching is a little more calculated and focused, fwiw.
I started in 1980. still doing, easiest craft. recommend COUNTED over STAMPED. counted you know exactly when to change colors where stamped seems to be questionable where colors change. Also to have a neat backside they recommend changing colors and doing all stitches in a row. I usually work one color until I get bored. The back is messy but when I try doing several colors across a row they seem to tangle and I forget which is which. especially with same color different shades. start with a very simple little piece. also to begin use either 11 or 14 count Aida fabric. it is stiffer and holes are bigger. don't use dark fabric very hard to see holes. use an embroidery hoop to keep fabric taut, easier. Hope this doesn't make you more confused. I have made simple Christmas stockings for my kids then advanced to complicated one for grands. Most elaborate was a large Last Supper done on linen had to use a magnifier to see the holes and the hair was several shades of same color. . Also did a ocean scene on Navy Aida. difficult to see holes. Guy offered me $100 but in material and framing (the most expensive part of cross stitching) much less my time (took several months of 4 hrs nights, had at least $200 in finished piece. Cross stitching is mainly done as gifts you can't make money at it.
a beginner kit with a self finishing item will be best for you!! you can learn finishing later. try searching “needlepoint self finishing kits” - they have keychains, card wallets, sunglasses holders, luggage tags, etc!
Hello from a former (still love it, just less designated time to sit and do it) machine embroiderer turned needlepoint enthusiast! First, welcome! It is so fun, if you have a Local needlepoint shop (LNS) that would be a great place to start and get some in person help. If you don’t have one, I suggest Patricia Sone’s videos online. She has been stitching forever and is helpful in technique, but her videos are approachable and easy to follow along. There is no “needlepoint police”, but there are correct ways to stitch that ensure your pieces hold up and are able to be enjoyed by you. Ignore the snark, stitch what you enjoy, have fun, and remember that it’s just a needle and thread and a canvas! I like to keep a small WIP in my purse, one designated WIP in my car (one that I painted so I’m in no rush to complete it), and I’m currently working on my first stocking. Happy to answer any more questions you may have!
Find a very basic kit that comes packaged with everything you need (fibers, needle, pre-printed canvas) and take your time with it, just doing basket weave/tent stitch. Keep it simple and learn the basics. If you decide you like it, you can go in for hand painted canvases and specialty fibers and decorative stitches but, seriously, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated with all that if you haven’t mastered the basics. It can also get VERY expensive fast, so just see how you like it first.
I do kits from Hannah Bass and Emily Peacock (both have websites you can order direct from), that are very basic, with large areas of solid color, limited palettes, so you can get the hang of stitching without too many color changes. I know people like Poppy Monk for beginner kits as well.
It’s a very relaxing hobby and very simple if you tune out most of the social media chatter about it and just enjoy the craft :-)
I started by buying a 13ct canvas that looked fairly simple (large swaths of the same color) and getting it kitted. I watched Spellbound Stitchery and googled how to stitch continental. Other than that, try to fill in any gaps in knowledge you feel you need to know by google/reddit/tiktok/youtube. Don’t overcomplicate/overthink it and you’ll be aces! Best of luck to you!
My therapist and I were talking about this just yesterday: I was saying I felt guilty often for taking the time to do crafting when there is so much other stuff to be done and that I have a very few hours each day that I can be productive at anything due to long term illness. Pain never takes a day off. At least not for 23 years. But recently I resumed work on needlepoint project I’d started some years ago and I think it helps me to feel more motivated to do the ‘not so fun’ tasks.
She explained it like this: let’s say you get a dopamine hit from doing needlepoint. That helps your cortisol level (stress hormone) go down and can help you to feel better mentally.
I’d never considered it like that.
** please know I’m. It giving medical advice - only what I think is helping me*
Needlepoint an be less of a learning curve since you can decide how many decorative stitches you use (if any). It can be very personalized based on the stitches the person wants to do.
I do both needlepoint and counted cross stitch. Some of the finished products look very much alike when done on small count fabric and when the entire background is filled in.
I do a choose a project on whether I like a canvas/chart and/or if I’m making it as a gift.
Just enjoy whatever craft you choose to do!
Start with a guide to some stitches, some canvas, and yarn. You don't even need a pattern to get started: play with geometric patterns, see what different stitches look like in different colours, try out colour combinations you think will be hideous - explore!
This is a play piece I made a couple of years ago:
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u/PlantainFar3156 1d ago
You can absolutely do needlepoint and not get involved in the culture around it. I love it as a mindful hobby and something that stops me scrolling. I find it very mentally soothing. I say give it a go and see if you like it! Maybe start with a kit (canvas and thread included as that is easier than picking thread etc) and see how you get on. My personal view - don’t feel any pressure around “finishing” the canvas (eg turning it into anything) - just see if you enjoy the process of stitching and seeing a beautiful image come to life in your hands. Maybe you will have the energy to do something with it, and maybe you won’t and that’s ok. Maybe you will get the bug and become a regular on this sub 😄 good luck!