Needlepoint Terms to Know

A little guide for beginners who have no idea what they just signed up for.

  • Canvas

    The mesh fabric you stitch on. Think of it as the blank page for your needlepoint masterpiece. It comes in different “mesh counts,” which just means different hole sizes. More on that next.

  • Needle

    Tapestry needles are your BFFs here. They have a blunt tip (so you don’t stab the canvas, or your finger) and big eye (so the thread fits). Size depends on your mesh count.

  • Stitch

    The basic building block of needlepoint. It’s what happens when you pull thread through the canvas in a specific way. Magic. Repetitive, meditative magic.

  • Stretcher Bars / Scroll Frames

    Holds your canvas tight so it doesn’t get all floppy while you stitch. Some examples include stretcher bars and scroll frames- choose your fighter, or stitch freehand, whatever floats your boat.

  • Skein

    A bundle of thread that you use to stitch with. Fiber is sold in skeins, and you’ll cut yours before stitching!

  • Laying Tool

    A fancy stick that helps your threads lie flat and smooth, especially helpful with silk or ribbon threads. Optional, but oddly satisfying.

More of the nitty-gritty

  • Mesh Count

    The number of holes per inch in your canvas.

    13 mesh = bigger holes, easier to see, great for beginners

    18 mesh = smaller holes, more detailed, takes a little more time and patience

    No shame in starting with 13. We love a low-stress stitch.

  • Basic Stitches

    The go-to beginner stitch. Simple, and once you know it you can stitch anything. Comes in 2 types:

    Continental - the basic beginner stitch. It's stitched horizontally in rows from right to left, then back left to right.

     Basketweave - looks the same as continental from the front, but it's stitched on the diagonal, up and down. This is a preferred stitch because it gives your project more coverage, and also helps prevent it from warping!

    If you're just starting out, continental may be easier, but pick one and go- there's no stitch police here.

  • Fiber (aka Thread)

    What you use to stitch. threads come in all kinds of textures and thickness, including wool, cotton, silk and metallic variations. You'll want to choose thread based on your project's mesh count.

    18 mesh fiber options
    Pepper Pot Silk (Emma's Favorite), Planet Earth Essentials, Vineyard Merino Wool (great for when your project will get a lot of wear and tear, like a belt or keychain!), Vineyard Silk, DMC Cotton (more affordable option!)

    13 mesh fiber options
    Silk and Ivory (Emma's favorite), Milan, Pepper Pot Silk, DMC 3 Pearl Cotton (more affordable option!)

Types of Projects

Scroll left to right  Painted Canvas Digital PDF
The deets:
A canvas where the design is hand-painted right onto it—no counting, no guesswork. Just follow the colors and stitch away. This is What’s the Stitch’s specialty.
The design is printed on paper or on a digital PDF, and you count holes in the canvas to match it. Alternatively, you can use these charts to paint the designs onto canvas yourself (it’s a much more affordable option!)

The Breakdown On How To Stitch

For people with an 'I Can Do That' Mentality

Needlepoint is an addictive hobby that is also incredibly expensive. Want to cut costs? Learn to paint and finish canvases yourself! Emma taught herself to paint and finish her own projects to save money, and that's how What's the Stitch was born. These videos will show you how to paint your own canvas from a PDF, stitch it, and then finish it. For more, check out WTS socials!

How to paint

If you've gone with a digital download option, you can paint your own canvas - this is the how-to.

How to stitch

Where the magic happens!

How to finish

This is the step where your piece gets transformed into something fabulous - like a pillow, ornament, door hanger, or framed work of art. Watch more finishing vids on my socials

The stitch list

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