A Beginner’s Guide To Needlepoint
All you need is a needle, some thread, and a canvas to get started. This guide is here to show you the ropes (or in our case, the stitches): how to start and end your thread, master the go-to beginner stitches, and set yourself up for success.
Getting Started
Starting your thread
Before you make your first stitch, you need to anchor your thread securely:
Cut about 18–20 inches of thread (anything longer tends to tangle).
Thread your needle and bring it up from the back of the canvas to the front at your starting hole.
Leave a 1–2 inch “tail” of thread at the back of the canvas.
As you stitch your first few stitches, catch that tail underneath so it’s secured into place. No knots needed!
Ending your thread
When you’re near the end of your thread
(about 2–3 inches left):
Run your needle under the backs of several completed stitches on the reverse side of the canvas.
Pull through and trim the excess close to the canvas.
This locks your work in neatly and avoids bulky knots.
How To Stitch
The Continental Stitch
The continental stitch is the simplest and most common stitch in needlepoint—perfect for beginners.
Bring your needle up from the back of the canvas at the lower left corner of a canvas hole.
Insert it down into the upper right corner (a diagonal stitch).
Move one hole over and repeat.
Think of it like writing slanted lines across your canvas. As you stitch, your needle travels in the opposite direction of the direction you are stitching in, which helps anchor and balance your work. Continental is quick to learn and a great base for small or detailed areas.
The Basketweave Stitch
Basketweave looks just like continental on the front, but it’s sturdier and keeps your canvas from warping. It’s the go-to stitch for filling large areas smoothly.
Here’s how to think about it:
As you work diagonally across your canvas, notice whether your stitches are crossing the vertical bars (poles) or the horizontal bars (stairs) of the canvas.
If your needle is coming up on the side where the canvas intersections look like vertical poles, you’ll be going down the poles—stitching downward.
If your needle is coming up on the side where the intersections look like horizontal stairs, you’ll be going up the stairs—stitching upward.
Following the intersections ensures your stitches layer in the correct rhythm. On the back, you’ll see tidy vertical lines, like woven fabric—that’s how you know you’re doing basketweave correctly.
Up The Stairs
Down The Poles
Ready To Start Stitching?
That’s it—you’re officially ready to start your needlepoint journey! With these basics in your toolkit, you’ll be able to tackle nearly any design. Remember: slow and steady stitches create beautiful results!
Once you’ve mastered the basics, there’s a whole world of stitches to explore—from textured patterns to decorative details that bring your canvas to life. For more information on stitch types and inspiration, I recommend checking out Needlepoint: A Modern Stitch Directory by Emma Homent.