Needlepoint Supply

What Needlepoint Supplies Do You Need?

The main supplies needed for needlepoint are:

• needlepoint canvas
• thread
• scissors
• instructions or pattern books
• a hoop or frame
• needles and accessories (needle threader, thimble)

Canvas

Needlepoint canvas is the actual cloth on which the stitching is done. It is the most important part of a needlepoint project because it provides the structure for your design and the finished product that you are making, whether it is a pillow or a Christmas stocking.

Much more information about canvas can be found in our article on the subject, but what you really need to know is that there are three main types of canvas: mono, duo and interlock. The different types of canvas have different weaves, and the one you choose mostly comes down to personal preference, availability, cost and the final use of the project.

Thread

A needlepoint artist’s expression comes out in the selection of a pattern and the use of color and thread. There are several different manufacturers that make thread from cotton, rayon, even silk and other materials.

Needlepoint thread comes in a dizzying array of colors, textures and finishes, from matte cotton floss to metallic. For some projects such as needlepoint rugs, you can use yarn instead of thread. DMC and Coats and Clark manufacture thread that can be used for needlepoint; other companies that make thread for needlepoint supply include Madeira and Caron.

Needles

The ideal needles for needlepoint or tapestry needles have elongated eyes for ease of threading, blunt points so you don’t hurt yourself, and tapered bodies that flow through the canvas more easily.

Sizes for needlepoint needles range from 13 to 26; the higher the number the smaller the gauge of canvas it should be used with. Consult the package of needlepoint canvas you have purchased for more information on the ideal size of needle to use on your project.

Other Needlepoint Supply Thoughts

Once you have the basics, you will be ready to start on any needlepoint project. There are, however, a few other extras you might want to consider.

• A good lamp. Good lighting is ideal for seeing what you are doing and making sure that the colors you chose look nice together. A table lamp or floor lamp is fine, but if you can afford to invest in a natural sunlight lamp, the colors will be truer and you will have less eye strain.
• Magnifiers. You can buy a set of magnifying lenses that are almost like goggles, which will make it easier for you to read you pattern and to see the squares in your needlepoint fabric.
• Laying tool. A laying tool is used to help position the stitches on the canvas. They are particularly helpful when smoothing out a multiple-piled thread or to keep a silk or ribbon thread from twisting. See some of the many different designs here.

Needlepoint Supply Sources

• A to Z Needlepoint
• The Needlepointer
• Buttoned Up (Canada)