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What’s the best needle craft for someone to start out with?

December 23rd, 2012 Leave a comment Go to comments

I would like to start doing needlework projects but am not sure where to start.
I am thinking about asking for some for Christmas is why! I used to do a needlepoint but I forget what it was, the fabric was the same colors as the yarn.

Alice and I started out the same, with stamped cross stitch. From there, I learned other embroidery stitches, did crewel as well as thread embroidery, and needlepoint. I can do counted cross stitch, but another that I choose not to do.
My mother latched rugs, that was as close as I cared to get to that. Just was not for me.
I sew, I bead on material, I make jewelry.

I would recommend stamped cross stitch, it is easy to learn, and as you can see, can lead to other kinds of stitching. And it is generally inexpensive to learn and do. I have some pillow cases in the works right now, they and the thread cost me way less than $10, I had the needles and hoops.

Lots of sites online, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby both sell it in kits, and some individual pieces like baby bibs. My local quilt shop sells lots of cotton with designs for embroidery stamped on it, some are copies of antique designs.

And from there, you can make quilt blocks and quilts, make gingham aprons with cross stitch designs, learn to embellish clothes and accessories, learn to bead fabric [it is easy].

I have a stitching book, I think it is from Reader’s Digest, that my Mom bought me, I have learned several stitches out of it. Visit your local library and book store to see what you might be interested in. And of course, ask for the book for Xmas, too!

  1. Stargazer
    December 23rd, 2012 at 19:06 | #1

    This really depends on your interests. Many of my students really prefer to learn to crochet first. The reasons include (1) there is only one needle (hook) to manipulate (2) it is easier to learn to control the yarn (3) it is a bit more intuitive, you can see the project begin to take shape fairly quickly (4) it is a little less expensive – crochet folks don’t tend to be quite so involved with high end yarns as knitters do. (5) most stitches are a variation on the single crochet stitch, so there is less to learn immediately.
    (6) there are wonderful web sites for all of the needle arts. Check out ravelry.com and crochetme.com for free patterns, a wonderful community, and lots of ideas.

    Have fun!

    Update: Needlepoint is stitching yarn over fabric, usually a stiffer material. Most kits have a pattern preprinted on the fabric and all of the yarns to match. Simple stitching works very well, and, in time, if you become more proficient, you can add more advanced stitch types to make a project uniquely yours.

    There are so many different needlecrafts. Knitting and crochet are yarn manipulation techniques that produce a fabric. Needlepoint and petit point cover existing fabrics in their entirety with wool or other thread like fibers – silk, floss, etc. Embroidery and cross stitch let the fabric show through and are usually embellishments to the fabric. Counted cross stitch can seem a lot like needlepoint through the design area, you count each stitch on a chart and transfer that to stitches on the cross stitch fabric, typically a material with preset holes – like evenweave, Aida cloth, or something that is evenly woven, like linen.
    References :

  2. Alice E
    December 23rd, 2012 at 19:32 | #2

    I started out with stamped cross-stitch. I knit, crochet, do latch hook rugs, and sew. My favorite now, years later, is needlepoint. You can buy small, beginner projects for under $10. Ebay also has exceptional buys on kits.
    References :

  3. riversconfluence
    December 23rd, 2012 at 19:41 | #3

    Alice and I started out the same, with stamped cross stitch. From there, I learned other embroidery stitches, did crewel as well as thread embroidery, and needlepoint. I can do counted cross stitch, but another that I choose not to do.
    My mother latched rugs, that was as close as I cared to get to that. Just was not for me.
    I sew, I bead on material, I make jewelry.

    I would recommend stamped cross stitch, it is easy to learn, and as you can see, can lead to other kinds of stitching. And it is generally inexpensive to learn and do. I have some pillow cases in the works right now, they and the thread cost me way less than $10, I had the needles and hoops.

    Lots of sites online, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby both sell it in kits, and some individual pieces like baby bibs. My local quilt shop sells lots of cotton with designs for embroidery stamped on it, some are copies of antique designs.

    And from there, you can make quilt blocks and quilts, make gingham aprons with cross stitch designs, learn to embellish clothes and accessories, learn to bead fabric [it is easy].

    I have a stitching book, I think it is from Reader’s Digest, that my Mom bought me, I have learned several stitches out of it. Visit your local library and book store to see what you might be interested in. And of course, ask for the book for Xmas, too!
    References :

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