Needlepoint is easy to do there's not much variation in stitching techniques, just color changes. While not cheap, I really like Ehrman needlepoint pillows. You still need to buy a frame to hold it while you work.

Would it be better if I begin with as few colors as possible in a kit? I've got the stitching bug again, after all these years!

Not necessarily. My first needlepoint was a complicated pattern from Ehrman, Tiger lilies. I worked on it for over a year.
For a beginner, it will be harder to maintain the same even tension in a large part all one color than changing colors, which only requires more time.

Okay, that makes sense. Look at the kit in the link below. Finished size is 10x10. And it looks "easy' enough for me, and it would match my room.

But is $80 the norm for something like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: Kit

That seems a little high but the yarn is wool so consider that. I would get a pattern you love...it will take you a long time to do it so you might as well love it.
Really, it's not hard, don't be put off by complex patterns.
For $80, I would want more complexity.

Do check out this Ehrman site, for instance some are 20" x 20" for $99.
It will just make a finished square, btw, not an actual pillow. You have to do that.

Here is a link that might be useful: ehrman

Mind if I barge in here? I've never done needlepoint, but I do love cross stitch and embroidery. Is needlepoint - I don't know - "finer?" Or more difficult? It looks pretty complicated. I don't know if I've actually seen a needlepoint piece.

Sherry

Sherry, I've never done needlepoint but have seen demonstrations, and it looks fairly easy like cross-stitch, but still time consuming when there is a lot of pattern.

Here's a website I found that shows stitches. The good thing is the "weave" or mesh canvass to put the stitches on don't seem as tiny as cross stitch, which is better for the eyes! But they come in all sizes too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Needlepoint Stitches

B, my goal is to do a tapestry. Those are beautiful! You really think I could do a tapestry as my first project?

If I order one of those, what type frame should I get? I really don't want one on a stand, I did that with the cross stitch & quilting at times and I couldn't get comfy.

I think I read to get "stretcher bars." Is that what you use?

I bought a stretcher frame and kept the needlepoint on it until it was done. You roll it on the bars so only the part you are working on is exposed. I think I paid around $20 for it.
Yes, you could easily do a tapestry, why not do something great instead of just mediocre? I only used one stitch the whole time. You just have to keep changing colors.
What I meant about the pillow is that when you are finished, you have a piece of stitchery that you can make into a pillow, cover a footstool, frame, whatever you want to do with it.

I did a needlepoint rug. 3' x 4'. It represents lots of orthodontist appointments and swim team practice. And I revel in it. Rather than a kit, I plotted it out on a computer, picked the colors for each element, and used the continental stitch. I'm the only one who is allowed to stand on the rug. It cost about $400 for the yarn and canvas. ;-)

Hi Oakleyok....I'm happy to share my experiences in regards to needlepoint. I started with cross-stitch and crewel about 35 years ago and quickly moved on to needlepoint which I find has withstood the test of time in our home style. The cross-stitch was a bit too country cute and I have most of it now in the laundry room. But needlepoint can be a wall-hanging in the tapestry style or framed, made into pillows or table runners, or used to cover benches, stools, chairs, fireplace screens, yard-longs above a doorway. You can stitch very traditional designs or modern geometrics.

My preferred needlepoint style is very traditional and the kits I use are called tramme (meaning pattern is laid on with a horizontal piece of corresponding color yarn instead of painted) with 10-holes-per-inch and I use the basketweave stitch. Trammes are impossible to find in a shop in this country so I get them in person or from a site in the UK where they are still popular. The Ehrman site previously recommended is also great, with classic designs but I'm not sure they have trammes. And one word of warning when purchasing any needlepoint kit is you should know how many holes-per-inch you're willing to deal with. Some of the Ehrman kits are 12, 14 or even 18 stitches per inch, meaning it will take a very long time to complete and you'd better have some good reading glasses! You can expect needlepoint in the classic style to be fairly pricey. The little cutsie kits are reasonable but the designs just don't cut it and the colors can be garish instead of muted.

I'll enclose three websites carrying trammes, two from Australia, and one from the UK which also has painted in addition to tramme. I'll also show a couple of photos, although the flash makes then look a bit bright.

http://www.tapestry-kits.com/index.htm
http://www.queenadelaideneedlecraft.com/
http://www.levadatapestries.com/index.html

I have successfully ordered from all three of these reputable dealers. Hope this isn't too confusing. If you've stitched before, you'll have no trouble learning needlepoint. Oh, I've never used a wooden frame and have stitched some fairly large canvases. I take my stitching everywhere and a frame would be impractical and limiting. My husband also made a blocking board for me so that I can square the finished canvas, although the basketweave stitch doesn't pull the canvas out of square as much as the other stitches.
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Oh, one more thing for now....please don't limit yourself to a kit for 'beginners'. You've been a stitcher before and needlepoint, even basket weave, is not that difficult and you'll soon develop a flow. It seems that you and most folks on this board are 'doers', whether it's painting, gardening, decorating, stitching....so you'll be great!

Oh My Gosh, I've never seen so much beautiful needlepoint in my life. What a treasure you have created.

(I collect vintage finished needlepoint landscapes (and one stool in a 60s Vasarely look) at Goodwill -- I *love* finding a beautifully worked piece)

Would you mind posting a photo of the top piece on the wall? It looks really interesting...if you happen to have a moment. My whole family is marveling at your work. And with trigger thumb, yet! :)

Thanks for the link, Oakleyoak.

Begoniagirl, your work is beautiful.

Sherry

Begoniagirl, your needlepoint pieces are beautiful.

I've done quite a bit of needlepointing in my lifetime. Needlepointing is not a a cheap sport. There are different quality threads including silk. I've been lucky in the fact that there are a few stores where I live.

There are many fancy stitches you can do. These add more texture to your pieces especially to the backgrounds of the canvases. I've used many in my pieces.

I've attached a website that I found for beginners.

I got the itch when I passed a needlepoint shoppe and recently finished a very small piece. It's a mezzuzah (did I spell that correctly?)for a doorway of my stepson's new home. Very modern, silk threads. The cost was $40.00. This does not include making it into a mezzuzah.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beginners website

Wow begoniagirl! that's some beautiful work! I love the footstool! And I can see why you would take it everywhere, to get that much done!

Bg, I have to admit it was your stitching that inspired me to start this new hobby! I didn't realize the work you did was "traditional." They look like they're a couple of hundred years old! But in good shape. lol.

I love the first site you posted. Today I'm going to shop around and pick something out.

I agree about the stitches per inch. I don't think I could do the 18 per square again like I did with cross stitch.

I'm still surprized at the price of needlepoint. But I guess working with wool, and having a good end result is worth it.

Aha! Begoniagirl! I just realized you're the one with the beautiful wallpapered kitchen. I'm a little slow on the uptake. Would you mind if I moved in with you? I really like your taste.

Sherry

I think the hey day of needlepoint must have been in the 70's. There used to be a lot of beautiful (and affordable) kits available.

Oakley, you can buy needlepoint canvas by the yard and make your own sampler to practice stitches, etc, before you start a project. My last two projects were on painted canvases and therefore, one of a kind. You can buy the yarn all at once or a little as needed as you progress. I promised myself that the next time, I would paint my own canvas. Now you've made me want to go and start a project.

You have probably seen Herrschners in the link below, but they had some small kits for $8.49 and up.

Begoniagirl, your work is stunning.

Suero, my hummingbirds also represent highschool football games, ballet and soccer practice. I tried a wooden frame but ended up not using it much. Very cumbersome.

Here are three of my needlepoints - the cardinals were from a kit (14 stitches per inch) and the vase was a painted canvas, 18 (20?) stitches per inch.

I've been to the sites listed above, but I'm still confused about terminology. What is a painted canvass? Can needlepoint be done from a chart, like counted cross stich?

You all do such beautiful work.

Thanks.
Sherry

Needlepoint ain't over yet!
I adore needlepoint pillows and this is my favorite site
to spend pillow money.

Here is a link that might be useful: needlepoint pillows

I looked up the trammes and for my first project I think I'll wait.

In the first link I gave above, which I'll post below, is the fleur de lis which I like, and looks to be a "simple" starter for me. Here's the description which I totally don't understand:

"From Veronique de Luna this exquisite kit depicts the flora and fauna found in the background of "The Lady With The Unicorn." Included in the kit is 10/20 penelope canvas, 2-ply Aubusson crewel wool, tapestry needle & instructions. Design size is 10 inches by 10 inches."

Does this mean the area isn't "stamped" or painted on for me to follow? I would prefer a stamped canvass.

What does 10/20 mean? How many stitches to an inch?

Anyone want to be a personal shopper for me and just tell me what to buy along with a frame? Seriously. lol.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kit

Okay, I understand the kit instructions in this one, link below. Does "10 mesh canvass" mean 10 stitches to an inch?

Here is a link that might be useful: Needlepoint kit

I really like this one. Link below.

But I still need to know how many stitches to an inch. And a good and simple frame to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: Toile

Hi Oakleyok....I've looked at your three possible choices for your needlepoint project. I'm not keen on the 'blue toile irises' as the description is vague and it looks a bit disappointing. The other two however, 'fleur de lis' and 'lady and unicorn', look fabulous.

Yes, 10 holes-per-inch is the same as 10-mesh....however when you see a penelope canvas it is made up of double rows in each direction. If you stitch around these rows it is 10 stitches per inch and called needlepoint. If you stitch between each row you are stitching 20 stitches per inch and this is petitpoint.
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The description of the 'fleur de lis' says 10/20 and I'm hoping it means 10 stitches per inch and not 20, making it petitpoint and daunting. You may want to call for clarification on that one. But I know the 'lady and unicorn' is 10 per inch and I have stitched painted canvases similar to this one. This design is called a 'cluny'.

Some artistic folks can paint their own canvas and then stitch them, kind of like writing the song and performing it too. You can also find patterns requiring you to transfer the stitches to the canvas by counting it out on the grid of your canvas while stitching, very ambitious. Or you can stitch on a prepainted or trammed canvas, whereas someone else writes the song and you perform it. Since I'm not artistic, I'm happy just giving a good performance because many of these canvases are copied from museum pieces and are quite beautiful, like the 'lady and the unicorn'.

The needlepoints shown by 'adoptedbygreyhounds' are gorgeous and she's framed and displayed them so beautifully.

Here's hoping this helps and you order a tapestry and have it completed in your home before too long.