Haven't you heard? There's a hot new hobby that everyone wants to try, and it's needlepoint. Yes, the same skill that your grandmother used to stitch up throw pillows and Christmas stockings — except these days, even Taylor Swift is rumored to do it.
If you're curious to try it out or maybe pick it back up again if you learned it way back when, you'll find a bustling marketplace that offers every kind of project you could possibly think of, from pithy wall hangings for your bathroom to double-entendre luggage tags. Here's what you need to know and what you really need to start:
* Don't splurge on an expensive hand-painted canvas if you don't have any experience with needlepoint or needlework in general. Visit your local needlework store to ask for budget canvas and appropriately sized thread — enough that you won't mind having to throw something away if it becomes to snarled to save. We recommend a basic 13-mesh (which means 13 stitches per inch) canvas and pearl cotton thread in size 3, plus size 20 or 22 tapestry needles.
* Find a good resource to teach you the basic stitches. The stitches haven't changed since your grandmother learned them, so feel free to use her dog-eared old needlepoint book if that's what you already have laying around. There are also thousands of YouTube tutorials, tons of websites, and all the short TikTok video demonstrations you could ever want.
* Start with a basic tent stitch, also called a continental of half-cross stitch. Once you get a feel for how to stitch the canvas correctly, take a second to congratulate yourself! The basic tent stitch is technically all you need to know to stitch any needlepoint project.
* Practice intermediate stitches like the basketweave, brick, and vertical stitch. These stitches will also come in handy.
* When you feel confident with your stitching, you're ready to graduate to something a little fancier. If you don't mind spending a little money, grab a small hand-painted canvas to make a Christmas ornament or keychain (but be prepared for some sticker shock, since a small hand-painted canvas can easily sell for around $75). You can also try your hand at creating your own needlepoint designs — many cross stitch charts are well-suited to needlepoint canvases.
* Once you learn to stitch, let your imagination go wild and don't be afraid to challenge yourself with complex patterns or some of the many, many decorative needlepoint stitches that go way beyond the basic continental or basketweave. You can even learn to paint your own needlepoint canvases, which is a great way to make an often expensive hobby more affordable.
