How to Buy Needlepoint Thread

Look at the needlepoint project you're considering. Most will advise you on the colors and sizes of needlepoint thread to use for that project, but you can also substitute needlepoint thread to suit your tastes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the tapestry wool for your background stitching. Tapestry wool is thicker and fills in the background without lending much detail to your artwork.

2. Consider Medicis wool to compliment tapestry wool backgrounds. Medicis wool is a much finer strand of needlepoint thread that you can use for detailed needlepoint work.

3. Choose embroidery floss made of silk or cotton for the majority of your needlepoint projects. The number of threads of floss you'll use depends on how large your canvass is for a particular project. Larger canvasses require more thread to cover them.

4. Make a list of the colors and styles of needlepoint thread you need before you go to the craft store, or bring your pattern with you. The needlepoint threads are arranged by number on the side of the wrapper so you can quickly locate the color you need.

5. Substitute fine yarns for some needlepoint threads for some projects. Take a skein of the needlepoint thread color to the yarn section to make a color match. Make sure you purchase enough yarn to complete the projects, as the dye lots used to color yarn vary with each batch.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that each manufacturer uses a separate numbering system for their needlepoint thread, so make sure you use one particular brand or your numbers will not be the color you expect them to be.