How to Begin Needlepointing: A Beginner’s Guide That Won’t Overcomplicate It

Needlepoint is having a moment, but it has never really gone out of style. I first started needlepointing when I was in middle school. It is creative, portable, relaxing, and just structured enough to make your brain stop spinning for a minute. I love how my mind seems to calm down with the repetitive motion, and completing a canvas is so satisfying.

If you are new, the hardest part is not the stitching. It is figuring out what to buy and where to start without falling into a rabbit hole of thread types, needle sizes, stretcher bars, laying tools, stitch guides, finishing styles, and opinions… and today, my biggest decision is which canvas I want to start next!! I have a pile of unfinished canvases….that doesn’t stop me from buying more!

Let’s keep it simple.

What You Need to Start Needlepointing

To begin needlepointing, you only need a few things:

• A painted or printed needlepoint canvas from Anne Scott Needlepoint
• Thread that fits the canvas mesh (see my blog on the different types of DMC thread)
• A tapestry needle - different size depending on on the size of the canvas (see my blog on 13 vs 18 mesh canvas)
• Small scissors
• A bag or pouch to keep everything together

That is it. You can add accessories later. The accessories may be my favorite part. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love GEAR! Needle minders, project bags, stretcher bars, fancy scissors, and specialty threads are endless options (but not required).

Choose a Beginner-Friendly Canvas

For your first needlepoint project, choose something you actually like. This sounds obvious, but it matters. You are going to spend hours with this little canvas. Do not pick something because someone told you it was “practical.” Pick something that makes you want to stitch and want to see it finished. 

A good beginner canvas usually has:

• 13 mesh canvas
• Larger color areas
• Limited shading
• Clear design lines
• Not too much tiny lettering

Ornaments, coasters, small signs, and simple decorative canvases are great starting points. I personally love our bag tags as a beginner project. 

Pick the Right Thread

The thread depends on the mesh size. If your canvas is 13 mesh, you will need a thicker thread. If it is 18 mesh, you will need a thinner thread.

If you are buying from a needlepoint shop like Gracefully Stitched in Little Rock, ask them to kit the canvas for you. That means they will pull the right thread colors and thread types for that specific canvas. It is one of the easiest ways to avoid frustration for beginners. I also like to see the different ideas they come up with! 

At Anne Scott, our canvas comes with a needle and threader. We also have darling scissors, bags, minders….all the things!  

Learn One Stitch First

You do not need to learn 47 decorative stitches before you begin. Start with the tent stitch. It is the basic diagonal stitch used in needlepoint, and you can stitch an entire canvas with it. There are several online tutorials… search YouTube.

The three most common versions are:

• Half-cross stitch
• Continental stitch
• Basketweave stitch

For beginners, the continental stitch is a good place to start because it is easy to understand and gives better coverage than the half-cross.

Start in a Sensible Spot

You do not have to start in the exact center unless you want to. Many stitchers start with a larger color area or a section near the top. The goal is to get comfortable. Once you’ve been stitching for a while, you will develop your own strategy. 

Start with a manageable section, stitch in one color, and then move to the next. Don’t jump all over the canvas, unless you enjoy chaos.

Do Not Knot the Thread

In needlepoint, you usually do not tie knots. Instead, you secure the thread by stitching over the tail on the back of the canvas.

To start, leave a small tail on the back and cover it with your next several stitches. To end, run the thread under nearby stitches on the back.

It feels strange for about five minutes. Then it feels normal.

Keep Your Tension Even

Try not to pull too tightly. Your stitches should sit neatly on the canvas, not strangle it. If the canvas starts warping or the holes look stretched, loosen up. I had to learn the hard way. My stitches weren’t even. Some were tiny, and others looked loose. I guess it just depended on my mood. 

Best Advice for Needlepoint Beginners

Your first canvas does not need to be perfect. It just needs to be finished.

You will learn as you go. Your second canvas will look better than your first. Your third will look better than your second. Eventually you will have strong opinions about thread coverage and finishing deadlines, and then congratulations, you are one of us.