Editing Needlepoint (section)

==Contemporary techniques==

===Materials===
The thread used for stitching may be [[wool]], [[silk]], [[cotton]] or combinations, such as wool-silk blend. Variety fibers may also be used, such as metallic cord, metallic braid, [[ribbon]], or [[raffia]]. Stitches may be plain, covering just one thread intersection with a single orientation, or fancy, such as in [[Bargello (needlework)|bargello]] or other counted-thread stitches. Plain stitches, known as [[tent stitch]]es, may be worked as [[tent stitch|basketweave]], [[tent stitch|continental]] or [[tent stitch|half cross]]. Basketweave uses the most wool, but does not distort the rectangular mesh and makes for the best-wearing piece.

Several types of embroidery canvas are available: single thread and double thread embroidery canvas are open [[even-weave]] meshes, with large spaces or holes to allow heavy threads to pass through without fraying. Canvas is sized by mesh sizes, or thread count per inch. Sizes vary from 5 threads per inch to 24 threads per inch; popular mesh sizes are 10, 12, 14, 18, and 24. The different types of needlepoint canvas available on the market are interlock, mono, penelope, plastic, and rug.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.past-impressions.co.uk/blog/needlecraft-features/a-history-of-tapestry/|title=A History of Tapestry {{!}} Past Impressions|website=www.past-impressions.co.uk|access-date=2020-03-29}}</ref>

*'''Interlock Mono Canvas''' is more stable than the others and is made by twisting two thin threads around each other for the lengthwise thread and "locking" them into a single crosswise thread. Interlock canvas is generally used for printed canvases. Silk gauze is a form of interlock canvas, which is sold in small frames for petit-point work. Silk gauze most often comes in 32, 40 or 48 count, although some 18 count is available and 64, 128 and other counts are used for miniature work.
*'''Mono canvas''' comes in the widest variety of colors (especially 18 mesh) and is [[plain weave|plain woven]], with one [[weft]] thread going over and under one [[warp (weaving)|warp]] thread. This canvas has the most possibilities for manipulation and open canvas. It is used for hand-painted canvases as well as counted thread canvaswork.
*'''Penelope canvas''' has two threads closely grouped together in both warp and weft. Because these threads can be split apart, penelope sizes are often expressed with two numbers, such as 10/20.
*'''Plastic canvas''' is a stiff canvas that is generally used for smaller projects and is sold as "pre-cut pieces" rather than by the yard. Plastic canvas is an excellent choice for beginners who want to practice different stitches.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Amazing Stitch Handbook for Kids|last=Nicholas|first=Kristin|publisher=C&T Publishing|year=2015|isbn=978-1-60705-973-8|location=Concord, CA|pages=[https://archive.org/details/amazingstitching0000nich/page/6 6]|url=https://archive.org/details/amazingstitching0000nich/page/6}}</ref>
*'''Rug''' canvas is a mesh of strong cotton threads, twisting two threads around each other lengthwise forms the mesh and locking them around a crosswise thread made the same way; this cannot be separated. Canvases come in different gauges, and rug canvas is 3.3 mesh and 5 mesh, which is better for more detailed work.

===Frames and hoops===
Needlepoint canvas is stretched on a [[Embroidery hoops and frames|scroll frame]] or tacked onto a rectangular wooden frame to keep the work taut during stitching. Petit point is sometimes worked in a small embroidery hoop rather than a scroll frame.

===Patterns===
Commercial designs for needlepoint may be found in different forms: hand-painted canvas, printed canvas, trammed canvas, charted canvas, and free-form.

In hand-painted canvas, the design is painted on the canvas by the designer, or painted to their specifications by an employee or contractor. Canvases may be stitch-painted, meaning each thread intersection is painstakingly painted so that the stitcher has no doubts about what color is meant to be used at that intersection.  Alternatively, they may be hand-painted, meaning that the canvas is painted by hand but the stitcher will have to use their judgment about what colors to use if a thread intersection is not clearly painted. Hand-painted canvases allow for more creativity with different threads and unique stitches by not having to pay attention to a separate chart. In North America this is the most popular form of needlepoint canvas.

Printed canvas is when the design is printed by [[silk screen]]ing or computer onto the needlepoint canvas. Printing the canvas in this means allows for faster creation of the canvas and thus has a lower price than Hand-Painted Canvas. However, care must be taken that the canvas is straight before being printed to ensure that the edges of the design are straight. Designs are typically less involved due to the limited color palette of this printing method. The results (and the price) of printed canvas vary extensively. Often printed canvases come as part of kits, which also dramatically vary in quality, based on the printing process and the materials used. This form of canvas is widely available outside North America.

On a trammed canvas the design is professionally stitched onto the canvas by hand using horizontal stitches of varying lengths of wool of the appropriate colours. The canvas is usually sold together with the wool required to stitch the trammed area. The stitcher then uses tent stitch over the horizontal lines with the trame stitches acting as an accurate guide as to the colour and number of stitches required. This technique is particularly suited to designs with a large area of mono-colour background as such areas do not require tramming, reducing the cost of the canvas and allowing the stitcher to choose the background colour themselves. The Portuguese island of [[Madeira]] is the historic centre for the manufacture of trammed canvases.

Charted canvas designs are available in book or leaflet form. They are available at book stores and independent needlework stores. Charted Canvas designs are typically printed in two ways: either in grid form with each thread intersection being represented with a symbol that shows what color is meant to be stitched on that intersection, or as a line drawing where the stitcher is to trace the design onto his canvas and then fill in those areas with the colors listed. Books typically include a grouping of designs from a single designer such as [[Kaffe Fassett]] or Candace Bahouth, or may be centered on a theme such as [[Christmas]] or [[Victorian era|Victorian]] Needlepoint. Leaflets usually include one to two designs and are usually printed by the individual designer.

Free-form needlepoint designs are created by the stitcher. They may be based around a favorite photograph, stitch, thread color, etc. The stitcher just starts stitching!  Many interesting pieces are created this way. It allows for the addition of found objects, appliqué, computer-printed photographs, goldwork, or specialty stitches.

While traditionally needlepoint has been done to create a solid fabric, more modern needlepoint incorporates colored canvas, a variety of fibers and beadwork.  Different stitching techniques also allow some of the unstitched, or lightly stitched, canvas to show through, adding an entirely new dimension to needlepoint work. Some of these techniques include "shadow" or "light" stitching, [[blackwork]] on canvas, and pattern [[darning]].

Needlepoint continues to evolve as stitchers use new techniques and threads, and add appliqué or found materials. The line between needlepoint and other forms of embroidery is becoming blurred as stitchers adapt techniques and materials from other forms of embroidery to needlepoint.