Anna Pearson's Needlepoint Blog

First of all, what is needlepoint?   It is counted thread embroidery mostly covering the ground material – even weave canvas.   However my web site shows many different lacy designs and incorporating different coloured canvases into the design. Sometimes it is called tapestry erroneously but that is a different story! Girls Stitching in Tuscany There are three main types of needlepoint, Tent stitch from charts or on printed or hand-painted canvases; Florentine/Bargello traditional upright stitches worked in curves and spires and Stitchery on geometric designs and for adding interest to painted canvases. This blog covers equipment for all types of needlepoint that I have found useful though the years. One of the most attractive aspects of learning needlepoint right from the start is the fact that initially very little equipment is needed to get one going in the right direction. Later on as you become more hooked, possibly see fellow stitches either at class or ...

We have just returned from a break to Italy, too busy stitching to blog, sorry about that however I am longing to share the news with you now. We had our 8 th visit to Pirapora a family run Agro tourism place that grows all its own fruit and vegetables, even the wine we drink with dinner.    The location is perfect, pleasant shady gardens where we stitch, weather allowing, with stunning views of the sea. Everyone stitched their own design which added to interesting discussions and suggestions.    As before one outing to an interesting place was all I could encourage them to take – this year we went to a Roman/Norman site Catanzaro.    Our English speaking guide who with his knowledge adds a great deal to any of our trips and this time was no exception, we had a visit to an old olive press with the original machinery and an embroiderer’s work studio   and saw her working with the silks produced from the silk worms who enjoy the mulberry leaves gr...