Basic Needlepoint

VISIT OUR OTHER NEEDLEARTS BASIC NEEDLEPOINT TUTORIALS AT www.beadseast.com WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Needlepoint canvas, 3” larger than your desired finished size; fiber appropriate to the gauge of the needlepoint canvas (in our tutorial we’ll assume you’re using 14-to-the-inch interlock canvas and a full strand of embroidery floss or tapestry wool); #10 embroidery needle or size 24 tapestry needle; masking tape; scissors 15 19 23 17 21 18 16 24 20 Before beginning, tape the edge of your canvas with masking tape and22 round the edges (photo, above) to minimize tangling or catching. Secure threads by holding one inch on the back of the canvas and catching the thread end in the first few stitches; end a thread by running it under stitches on the back of the canvas, one or more times until secure. When deciding where to start, allow a margin of about 1.5” all around, which will allow enough margin for blocking should it be necessary. There are three basic stitches used in traditional needlepoint: Continental stitch, half-cross stitch, and basketweave stitch. You’ll probably use all three within each project. 22 20 8 6 2 2 4 6 8 10 12 21 19 7 5 1 1 3 5 7 9 11 24 18 10 4 13 15 19 23 17 21 9 18 16 24 23 20 14 22 17 3 26 16 12 25 15 11 28 14 27 13 HALF-CROSS STITCH is also worked in 2 4 6 8 10 12 30 back and forth rows with a rotation of the1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 19 23 17 canvas at the end of the row. As in Conti- 21 29 18 24 16 20 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 nental stitch, the thread comes up at odd 22 11 9 7 5 3 1 23 21 17 13 19 15 numbers and goes down at even numbers. 20 14 22 16 18 24 The threading on the back of the canvas is BASKETWEAVE STITCH very short and does not distort the stitching is worked in diagonal much; however, the coverage is not as good rows. The canvas is not as in Continental or basketweave stitches. rotated at the end of the row. The back of the work takes on a woven look with straight backthreads overlapping each other as shown in CONTINENTAL STITCH is worked in rows the photo. This stitch causes very little distortion and is the back and forth. This stitch yields excel- preferred stitch for large areas and backgrounds. Anywhere lent coverage, but it can cause significant 12 10 8 6 4 2 basketweave can be used, it SHOULD be used, as it makes distortion of the canvas11 9 as 7the5 stitches3 1 on the 23 21 17 13 19 15 finishing easier because of the minimal distortion. 20 14 22 18 24 back are long and pull on16 the diagonal. Try to keep your stitch tension even and light. As shown in the diagrams above, bring the threaded needle up through the canvas HALF-CROSS STITCH hole at odd numbers and down through the BACKTHREADS canvas hole at even numbers. The stitch sits di- agonally over the Blocking intersection of the canvas threads. If your finished piece is distorted, you can straighten it by block- Rotate the work at ing. If you know your threads and the colors on your canvas to the end of each be color-fast, you can wet-block. Saturate the piece with clean row to begin the water, then towel off the excess. Square the work back to its next row. CONTINENTAL STITCH original shape, then secure it to a clean wood surface with non- BACKTHREADS rusting fasteners. When dry, remove the fasteners carefully. ©2003 Beads East/Ann Benson, all rights reserved. This material is intended for the private use of one individual only. Instructors wishing to use this materials may obtain permission prior to use by contacting Beads East. Instruction use without prior permission is not permitted. .

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