5 top tips for Needlepointers, how to jazz up your needle point

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So some top tips for needlepointers or if in uk tapestry canvases are usually designed for just a single half cross stitch (it can be described at continental or basket weave) to be honest from the front they are all the same, the back varies. The rule really is if you start in one finish in one as in large areas the change can show.

Tip one, consider other stitches, especially with large areas, such as back grounds. There are loads of options such as byzantine stitch, condensed scotch stitch, Milanese, jacquard stitch, Hungarian diamond etc these stitches help create texture and depth to a piece. As you feel braver, you can change stitches in smaller areas to make it a more fun piece.

How to Stitch these fun stitches

Byzantine stitch –

Begin at upper left : Bring the needle up at 1 and down at 2. Two intersections above and to the right . Bring the needle up at 3 and down at 4 . Make two more stitches to the right this way. work two sttiches directly beneath the fourth to form a step. Repeat these six stitches. Work the next rows, diagonally up and down the canvas, fitting the stitches intothe steps of the previous row.

Condensed Scotch Stitch –

Begin at top left : bring the needle up at 1 and down at 2, up at 3 and down at 4, up at 5 and down at 6, up at 7 and down at 8. These four stitches form one block. Repeat the block downward to the right.

For the second row from the bottom right to left, fitting the shortest stitches next to the longest stitches of the previous row., and vice versa. work subsequent rows down and up the canvas.

Milanese Stitch –

Begin at the top left : Bring the needle up at 1 and down at 2, up at 3, down at 4, up at 5, down at 6, up at 7 and down at 8. These four stitches formone triangle. Repeat the triangle of stitches downward and to the right. Work the next row from the bottom right to the top left, fitting the triangles next to those on the previous row as shown;. Repeat rows diagonally down and up the canvas.

Jacquard Stitch

cover the first rows with Byzantine stitches, spacing stepped rows one intersection apart. Work tent stitch form diagonally from lower right to top left, turning work for each new row. on the horizontal steps, for tent stitches in the usual way by bringing up at 1 and down at 2 on the vertical steps keep the formation correct stitching from
3 to 4.

Hungarian Diamond Stitch

Begin at the top right : bring the needle up at 1 and down at 2, up at 3 , down at 4, up at 5, down at 6, up at 7, down at 8 , up at 9 and down at 10. These five stitches form one unit. Repeat to the left, beining at 11 . Note that one hole in the canvas has been left empty between units. Work the next row from left to right with the lomgest centre stitch of each unit ends up in the empty hole left in the row above.

Another the top tips for needlepointers consider adding or changing threads, you can add sparkly thread, silk thread, change to a cotton, it’s totally up to you and how you feel the changes will brighten your piece.

Tip 3 Consider adding beads or charms, again this can add texture and bling to your piece, any type of bead is acceptable, it’s just depending on the stitch you are using. Charms are also great ways on making a canvas a bit more personal.

Tip 4 change up its end use! we have had endless cushion kits, sometimes it’s just nice to do something different such as a bag, wall hanging, magazine holder, chair seat etc the options are endless.

The final top tips for needlepointers is design your own ! to be honest it sounds worse than it is , there are plenty of software that can help you ( we use mac stitch and win stitch in the office), they have all the colours and threads available, do if you are looking for a piece to match you décor, have a tile in the house you would like to match or a photo you took. Just scan in the image into the software and it will do the work for you.