All About Needlepoint Kits

We’re here to guide you in what to look for. Where to shop for needlepoint tapestry kits, what styles are available. It’s all here.

Make a cup of coffee and read on………

Needlepoint kits can vary widely in terms of quality. The price will be a guide, but even this is not foolproof as many kits are imported and some countries have higher costs for raw materials.

Of course, the first thing you will be looking for will be a design you like.

Look inside the kit and pull out the canvas. Inspect the needlepoint canvas to make sure it doesn’t have any flaws. These might be knots or other small imperfections in the weave.

Next, check to see how well the design has been printed onto the canvas. Is it straight? Are there any imperfections in the printing?

Look at the yarn or thread. If yarn is used, is it pure wool? If it’s acrylic, or mostly acrylic, the finished product will not be as rich and lustrous as with pure wool yarn. Acrylic tends to have a shiny look. You wouldn’t buy a polyester suit would you? (We’re only joking). Also, acrylic yarn makes the finished project very difficult to "block". This is when you stretch the needlepoint back into shape once you have finished stitching it. Try to buy needlepoint kits that use good quality “ingredients.”

If the kit you are looking at uses thread or floss, instead of yarn, then this is a bit more straightforward. If the thread has a brand name like Anchor, DMC, Madeira it should stitch up nicely. Only the very cheapest kits have poor quality thread. A cheap thread can shred when you go to stitch with it and will also look shiny and unnatural. You may as well stitch with fishing line. Really! Finally, check out the needlepoint instructions. A good needlepoint kit will have good instructions. They should tell you what is included in the kit, how to perform the stitch or stitches, and how to “finish” the project e.g. how to sew up the cushion.

Most importantly, the instructions should offer you product support. What do you do if you run out of yarn? The manufacturer may have included plenty of yarn in the kit, and you have been very frugal about using every last inch, but halfway through the project, the dog will always drag the yarn through the dirt and chew it into tiny pieces. Believe us, you will need to know where to get more.

Styles of Kits

Needlepoint kits come in all shapes and sizes.

Needlepoint pillow kits are probably the most common type of needlepoint tapestry kit on the market. We have a great selection here and you can create a beautiful sofa cushion to suit any decor.

Also available are Strand kits from New Zealand. We also feature two other New Zealand-based needlepoint designers - Mary Self and Jennifer Pudney.

These needlepoint kits make wonderful small projects or gift items. A small kit is great for learning on, or taking on vacation.

Following the whimsical theme, we have a unique series of designs on handpainted canvas that also come as kits. See handpainted canvases and kits.

Also very popular are Primavera needlepoint kits. and Christmas needlepoint kits which are also from England, as are our selection of other English kits. In particular, Isobel Hunt kits are very special. These are European-inspired designs based on ancient textiles and antiques. The Europeans have been designing and stitching needlepoint for hundreds of years – they know what they’re doing.

Speaking of knowing what they are doing.... Australian needlepoint designers have a very different style to the English, but their unique use of color and design lends itself to some truly gorgeous, contemporary needlepoint kits. Check out The Spotted Skink and Studio Stitches.

If you are a beginning stitcher, or have a child who wants to learn needlepoint, then a children's needlepoint kit or large mesh canvas is what you need. We have both juvenile and adult designs on 7 mesh canvas.

Embroidery Kits

Did you know that hand embroidery is making a comeback? We specify hand embroidery here to distinguish it from machine embroidery.

Hand embroidery simply takes needlepoint a step further. It uses a variety of stitches, so there is a bit more to learn, and is usually done on cotton cloth e.g. Aida, or other close weave fabric.

roidery opens up a whole new avenue of project possibilities. Because the fabric being embroidered is softer, it lends itself well to clothing items as well as the traditional framed finish. Click on this link to see some fabulous Embroidery-On-Felt kits by Jennifer Pudney. These are a fun way to learn how to do embroidery.

Embroidery On Felt Kits.

Where to Buy Needlepoint Kits

In general, you will find good kits in most needlepoint stores. The independent stores will likely carry the better quality tapestry kits which will cost more. To find a needlepoint store in your area, click on this link. Needlepoint Stores.

The large craft chain stores like JoAnn, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, tend to carry the more affordable kits. There you will find brands such as Dimensions, Bucilla, Sunset, Erica Wilson kits. These needlepoint tapestry kits tend toward the traditional. A few too many English country cottages for our taste, but if you like them, go for it as there is nothing wrong with the kits themselves.

Contact us about needlepoint kits or anything else!