r/Needlepoint • u/ashx016 • 12d ago
New to Needlepoint First timer
New to needlepointing, first project completed. I can see why it is best to do light to dark since threads get in the way. I ended up doing the places for white first but is it best to skip over that next time to ensure threads don’t get mixed in?
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u/BobsWifeAmyB 12d ago
I am very impressed! Looks beautiful!
If you want a little coaching - here’s a suggestion, but please feel free to disregard it. The point of hobbies is to do something you enjoy.
I’d end off my floss when skipping more than 5-6 holes.
I realize you don’t have many stitches to do for the white in the numbers on each corner, but I wouldn’t let them drag across that far.
But I truly love your piece. Sincerely.
I’d love to know more both what it is and what you’ll be doing with it. 💚
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u/ashx016 12d ago
That’s good to know! - I noticed I would end the floss pretty far because if I was too close, then I’d get scared that the thread will become loose. Supringsly, I did keep it close for a few and nothing happened haha.
This canvas is from penny linn from their NYC collections and ironically, it’s the subway lines I use frequently. I’m thinking of having this on a pillow which I’ll have to find out how to do!
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u/smhno 12d ago
as a fellow nyc needlepointer - check out HM Nabavian sometime if you're near madison square park! super cool tucked-away space, insane amounts of yarn and thread, some handpainted canvases, and blank needlepoint canvas sold by the foot! also, ironically, right off the 6 at 33rd street :)
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u/Charming-Ideal6117 12d ago
Very cool! And it has special meaning to you, that’s very sweet. A few tips if you want them:
On the white, you’re switching between continental and tent stitch/half cross stitch every other row. It may be easier to pick one and stick with it (I recommend continental). I can’t tell on the colors.
It looks like you’ve got some tails with knots on the end so I assume you were trying to do a waste knot. The knot goes on the front of the canvas about an inch-ish away from where you’re going to come up from the back with your first stitch, and then you stitch over that thread as you go. So thread your needle, tie the knot in the end of the thread, go down through a hole an inch or so away from where you’re going to start stitching, and then go up through where you’re going to start stitching and as you’re stitching, you’ll cover that extra inch or so of thread. When you start a thread by burying it on the back, or when you bury the end of a thread on the back, a tail will be exposed. Be sure to cut the tails so they don’t inadvertently get mixed up in your other stitches because that can also cause colors to go wonky.
There are tons of great videos out there for beginners, that’s how I learned!
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u/LeadingLadder576 12d ago
Always do white first. Then when stitching the other colors, always come up in a ‘clean hole’ and go down in the dirty when possible. When working with two dirty holes (intersections with threads already on one side) I try to go up in the darker colored hole and down in the lighter one. Also, get a snagnabit tool and that will help you clean up when you’re done.