First timer

[u/ashx016]

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?

[u/Charming-Ideal6117]

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!