Materials:

Penelope canvas (with a vertical thread & double horizontal threads is the most durable);
Antique (beige) colored canvas (is less likely to show canvas through the finished work than white canvas):
Mono canvas (easier to see than penelope, make sure it is interlocking, this will ensure even stitches); However, the mono canvas used for bargello stitches is not suitable for needlepoint.
Tapestry Yarn, spun for needlepoint;
Persian Yarn.
When selecting the materials that you will use for your needlework, rely on your past experiences and the advice of other needleworkers.
Needle: Tapestry

Working Needlepoint Stitches
For needlepoint projects, use a tent stitch to work the design and a stitch of your choice to fill in the background.
A tent stitch is any stitch which covers one thread intersection on top of the canvas and two thread intersections underneath. There are several versions of the tent stitch. Sometimes it is necessary to change direction with your stitching. For example, you may need to change from working from left to right to working downward. A half cross-stitch will allow this to be accomplished. A half cross-stitch in needlepoint covers one thread intersection on top of the canvas and only one thread intersection underneath.
When possible, in an area of many stitches of the same color, use the diagonal tent stitch, also known as the basketweave stitch. This stitch is one of the strongest of the tent stitches and distorts the canvas less than most other stitches as it is worked.
A good background stitch to use is the diagonal mosaic stitch. It fits in very well with the slant of the tent stitch. Also speeds up boring background stitching work.
. Backstitching or top-stitching is indicated on a graph or chart by lines. Finish the cross-stitches or needlepoint stitches before working the backstitching. Use less yarn for needlepoint backstitching by separating the yarn strands. Or use a full (six) strand of embroidery floss. Backstitches may run along the sides, above, below, or diagonally across needlepoint and cross-stitch stitches. They should be made by a "punch and stab" motion, not by "needle through".

Cross-Stitch and Needlepoint are very similiar. Refer to the Cross-Stitch Directions of preparing your fabric and centering the design under the heading of "Learn to Cross-Stitch" on Designeryarn's Index Page.

HINTS

Read all your pattern instructions thoroughly before beginning.
*Because natural body oils may soil yarn, keep hands extra clean.
*Tape edges of canvas with masking tape or turn under the edges of canvas 1/4 inch and baste to prevent yarn from catching while stitching and the canvas area from unraveling.
*If working on small projects (under 5") you could make your own mounting frame-A piece of cardboard 7" x 8", in the center cut out a square 5" x 5". Now mount your canvas (approx. size 6 1/2 inch square) with masking tape to the cardboard frame you just made.
*Yarn lengths should be cut in half (48 inches = 24 inches). Yarn will wear thin from pulling through canvas if longer length is used.
*Persian Yarn is a THREE-PLY yarn that is easily separated by gently untwisting. When separating Persian to TWO-PLY. the remaining single ply should be combined with another single ply of the same color to extend yarn use.
*Tapestry Yarn is a tightly twisted yarn and SHOULD NOT be separated.There are two types of Tapestry Yarns, the Lighter Weight Tapestry is worked using TWO STRANDS at a time unless pattern instructions tell otherwise; The Heavyweight Tapestry is used as is.
*Stitch tension is very important. Yarn should lay over canvas threads. Canvas may show through if stitches are too tight. Piece may look bumpy if stitches are too loose or uneven.
*Yarn may twist while stitching. To untwist, let needle and yarn dangle from canvas.
*Each finished needlepoint design is an individual work of art created by the stitcher. The finished design will vary slightly from one canvas to the next, so the photograph of your design will show you a good example of the finished product, but cannot be duplicated stitch for stitch.
*Hold finished piece up to a strong light to check for missed stitches.
*If you are left-handed, you may find the stitch diagrams easier to follow if you turn them upside down and follow the numbers.
*To avoid losing your place, check off each step of the instructions as you go.

WHEN WORKING ANY NEEDLEPOINT STITCH, THE NEEDLE WILL ALWAYS COME UP ON ODD NUMBERS ON DIAGRAM AND GO DOWN ON EVEN NUMBERS.
The basic needlepoint stitch is called a Continental Stitch, and is always worked from lower left to upper right across an intersection where the horizontal and vertical threads meet.
HORIZONTAL CONTINENTAL
The Horizontal Continental is always worked from right to left in horizontal rows across the canvas. At the end of each row, canvas is turned upside down to work right to left back across the canvas. Stitching should begin in the uppermost right hand point of each color area and all stitches will slant to the right.
VERTICAL CONTINENTAL
To stitch a single vertical Continental row, individual Continental stitches may be worked either up or down a vertical line. To work up a vertical line, turn diagram upside down and follow numbers. All stitches will slant to the right.
DIAGONAL CONTINENTAL
To stitch a single diagonal Continental row, individual continental stitches may be worked up or down a diagonal line.
Working down the diagonal all stitches will slant to the right and be a "broken" diagonal.
The Horizontal Continental and Basket Weave are methods of placing Continental stitches on canvas to fill an area. Either one may be use, since the visual effect is the same on the front of the canvas. The Basket Weave will not distort the canvas as much as the Continental.
BASKET WEAVE
The Basket weave is worked on the diagonal and may be started from a corner or worked in an area.
To work the Basket Weave in an area without a square corner, begin at any point on the left edge of the area to be stitched and work diagonally down the canvas. The second row of stitching, working up the diagonal, will fill the spaces between the stitches of the first row. To fill the area above the worked stitches, turn canvas and diagram upside down and follow the stitches on diagram.
To begin the Basket Weave from a corner a photo diagram will be required to show you how. I will get one scan a.s.a.p.
COMPENSATING STITCHES
Compensating stitches are shortened pattern stitches. Stitch diagrams will indicate examples of compensating stitches. These might be marked with an asterisk (*) on diagrams. compensating stitches are filled in after completing stitch pattern.
CONTINENTAL OUTLINING
To outline a shape, indiviual Continental Stitches are placed on the line to be stitched. Place first stitch anywhere on the outline and continue until outline is completed. All stitches will slant to the right.
DIAGONAL MOSAIC
The Diagonal Mosaic is worked in diagonal rows up and down the canvas. Beginning in lower right corner of an area, alternate short and long stitches. The short stitch covers one vertical and one horizontal thread. The long stitch covers two horizontal and two vertical threads. The second row of stitching, working down the diagonal, will fill the spaces next to the stitches of the first row (long stitches next to short ones and short stitches next to long ones). To fill the area above the worked stitches, turn canvas and diagram upsided down and follow stitches on diagram.
COUCHING
Couching is worked over completed needlepoint. Secure thread on back of canvas and come up on line to be Couched. Unthread needle, leaving the first thread loose on top of design. Rethread needle with second thread. Secure on back and make small evenly spaced tack stitches to hold first thread on the line to be Couched. End each thread separately on back of canvas after line to be Couched has been completed.
STRAIGHT STITCH
Straight stitches are single stitches that are worked over completed needlepoint. Straight stitches will vary in length according to each design. (example: come up at 1 and go down at 2).
FRENCH KNOT
Come up through canvas and pull yarn through. Wrap yarn around needle once and go down in a hole adjacent to the hole you came up in (over one canvas intersection). Pull yarn snugly around needle and down toward surface of canvas with left hand. With right hand, pull needle through from back of canvas.
RADIATING SATIN
Radiating Satin may be worked over open canvas or on top of completed stitching. The stitches will vary in length according to the design. More than one stitch may be worked out of a hole. stitches should be worked close together to cover the area.(Will resemble a leaf)
TACKED LOOP
The Tacked Loop is worked over completed needlepoint. Come up at 1, go down at 2 (very close to # 1), leaving loop on front of canvas. Come back up at 1 and down at 2. Pull flat.
THREADING A NEEDLE
Holding needle between thumb and forefinger, wrap yarn around needle. Crease edge of yarn by pulling taut around needle. Remove needle, holding creased edge of yarn firmly between fingers. Press eye of needle over creased yarn and pull through.
THREADING NEEDLE PAPER METHOD
Cut a strip of paper 2 " long and 1/4 " wide. Fold in half. Place end of yarn inside folded paper. Slide folded edge of paper through eye of needle and pull through.
BLOCKING FINISHED WORK
~If your finished needlepoint design is soiled, DRY CLEAN ONLY.
~If you made a mounting frame, use the 5" x 5" cardboard square as a mounting board.
~To block, turn needlepoint piece face down on a towel and hold steam iron above back of piece for 10 seconds. Steam will relax both canvas and yarn, making it pliable and easily blocked over the cardboard square. While canvas is still relaxed, cut the corners off, one full hole from stitching. Next, lay the 5" x 5" cardboard square on back of needlepoint piece. Pull border over back and tape each side until canvas is square and straight.
~If steam iron is not used, cover back of needlepoint piece with damp towel and gently lay iron on towel for 5 seconds (Do not push down or you will smash your stitches). Follow same procedure as above for blocking over cardboard.

Updated on September 8, 1998.
Being created on August 4, 1998.

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