Understanding Needlepoint Threads: A Beginner’s Guide
Walk into a needlepoint shop and the wall of threads can be both beautiful and a little overwhelming. Wool, cotton, silk, metallic, ribbon, stranded threads—where do you begin?
The good news is that you don’t have to know everything about threads to start stitching. Understanding a few basic differences will make choosing the right thread much easier.
Start With the Canvas Mesh
Before choosing a thread, look at the mesh size of your canvas.
The mesh count tells you how many canvas intersections there are in one inch. A 14-mesh canvas has 14 intersections per inch, while an 18-mesh canvas has 18.
The goal is to choose a thread that gives you good coverage without being so thick that it is difficult to pull through the canvas.
For a painted canvas, you generally want enough coverage so the painted canvas isn’t distracting from your stitching.
Three Ways Threads Are Constructed
One of the easiest ways to understand needlepoint thread is to look at its construction.
Rounded Threads
Rounded threads keep their round shape as you stitch.
These are often some of the easiest threads for beginners because they generally behave nicely as they pass through the canvas. They work especially well for basic tent stitches such as continental and basketweave.
A rounded thread also allows the individual stitches to remain visible, giving your needlepoint that wonderful traditional stitched appearance.
Flat Threads
Flat threads are more ribbon-like. They are wider than they are thick and can produce a beautiful smooth or satin-like surface.
The important thing with a flat thread is keeping it flat as you stitch.
If the thread twists, the light will hit it differently and the finished area may look uneven.
A laying tool can be very helpful when working with flat threads, particularly when using longer decorative stitches.
Stranded Threads
Stranded threads contain several individual strands that can be separated.
Embroidery floss is probably the most familiar example.
Instead of automatically using the entire thread, you can separate the strands and use the number needed for your canvas and stitch.
When recombining strands, let them lie next to each other rather than twisting them tightly together. This helps create smoother, more even stitches.
Fiber Matters Too
Thread construction is only part of the story. The fiber also changes the appearance of your needlepoint.
Wool is a traditional needlepoint favorite. It is durable, forgiving and provides excellent coverage.
Cotton gives a clean, crisp appearance and is available in an enormous range of colors.
Silk has a beautiful natural sheen and can make certain areas of a design look especially rich.
Metallic threads add sparkle and are wonderful for Christmas ornaments, stars, jewelry, water, snow and small accents.
Specialty threads can be fuzzy, shiny, velvety, ribbon-like or even sparkly. They are one of the easiest ways to introduce texture into a painted canvas.
You don’t have to stitch an entire canvas with specialty threads. Sometimes just a small amount makes a much bigger impact.
Look at the Thread Before You Stitch
Before threading your needle, take a moment to actually look at the thread.
Is it smooth or fuzzy?
Is it shiny or matte?
Is it round or flat?
Can the strands be separated?
Does it have a little loft or fluffiness?
These characteristics can help you decide where the thread might work best.
A fuzzy thread might make wonderful fur, greenery or a Santa beard. A shiny thread might be perfect for an ornament, window, water or ribbon. A matte wool can provide a beautiful contrast beside a shiny silk or metallic.
This is where choosing threads becomes part of the creative process.
Don’t Forget the Label
It is tempting to toss the label once you start stitching, but keep it!
The label may contain the manufacturer, color name, color number, fiber content and dye-lot information.
That information becomes extremely important if you need another skein later.
Even when two skeins have the same color number, different dye lots can sometimes have slight color variations.
My favorite habit is simple: keep the label with the remaining thread until the project is completely finished.
Texture Can Bring a Canvas to Life
One of my favorite things about needlepoint is that you don’t have to use the same type of thread everywhere.
Imagine a coastal canvas.
The sky could be stitched with a smooth matte thread.
The water might have a slight sheen.
Sand could have a soft texture.
A tiny metallic thread could add just enough sparkle to suggest sunlight dancing on the water.
The colors create the picture, but the threads create the texture and personality.
A Simple Rule for Beginners
If you’re new to needlepoint, don’t feel that every area needs a fancy thread or decorative stitch.
Start with threads that are comfortable to stitch.
Learn how they behave.
Then begin adding silk, metallics, ribbons and other specialty fibers one area at a time.
There is no prize for using the greatest number of different threads on one canvas. Sometimes the simplest thread choice produces the most beautiful result.
Build a Thread Stash Slowly
You don’t need an enormous collection of thread to become a good stitcher.
Save leftover threads from your projects and label them. Over time you’ll naturally build a collection of colors and textures that you can experiment with on future canvases.
Those little leftovers are especially useful for small ornaments and decorative details.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment.
Needlepoint threads aren’t simply something used to cover the canvas. They are part of the design itself.
Color catches your eye.
Texture makes you want to look closer.
And discovering what different threads can do is part of the fun of needlepoint.
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