Needlepoint Glossary: Common Terms Defined

Updated October 25, 2026

This glossary defines common needlepoint terms in plain language. Terms are in alphabetical order. Each guide on this site links here, and the canvas FAQ answers common questions.

Terms

Basketweave stitch: A way of working tent stitch in diagonal rows. It distorts the canvas less than continental stitch and is often used for backgrounds.
Blocking: Dampening a stitched canvas and stretching it back to square while it dries. Stitching often pulls a canvas out of shape.
Canvas: The stiff, open-weave mesh that needlepoint is stitched on, usually cotton. In stores the word also means a canvas with a design painted or printed on it.
Compensation stitches: Shortened stitches used where a decorative stitch pattern meets an edge or another area and a full stitch will not fit.
Continental stitch: A way of working tent stitch in horizontal or vertical rows. It is useful for outlines and small areas but can pull the canvas on the diagonal.
Decorative stitch: Any stitch other than plain tent stitch, used for texture or pattern. Stitch guides use them heavily.
Design area: The painted part of a canvas. Listings usually give its size in inches.
Designer: On this site, the person or business that creates and paints a canvas design. Stores sell their canvases, and some designers also run their own store. See /designers.
Fiber: Thread used for stitching. Common fibers are wool, cotton, silk, metallics and blends.
Fiber pull (thread pull): A selection of threads chosen to match a particular canvas, often put together by store staff.
Finisher: A person who turns stitched canvases into finished pieces. Many stores send finishing to a finisher.
Finishing: The work of turning a stitched canvas into a usable piece, such as an ornament, pillow, belt, bag insert or framed piece.
Half-cross stitch: A way of working tent stitch that uses less thread. It covers the back of the canvas less and wears less well.
Hand-painted canvas: A canvas whose design was painted by hand, usually by or for the designer that designed it.
Interlock canvas: A mono canvas whose threads are locked together at each intersection, so it does not fray or shift when cut.
Laying tool: A smooth pointed tool used to keep the plies of a thread flat and parallel as a stitch is made.
LNS: Short for local needlepoint shop, what stitchers call a local needlepoint store. See finding a local needlepoint store.
Margin: The blank canvas around the design area. It is needed for stretcher bars, blocking and finishing.
Mesh count: The number of holes per inch of canvas. 13 and 18 mesh are the most common for hand-painted canvases. See mesh counts explained.
Mono canvas: Canvas woven from single threads in each direction.
Needle, tapestry: A needle with a blunt tip and a long eye, used for needlepoint. Sizes are numbered; a larger number is a smaller needle.
Ornament: A small finished piece, often hung on a tree. Ornaments are among the most common needlepoint projects.
Penelope canvas: Canvas woven with pairs of threads. The pairs can be stitched as one or split for finer detail.
Perle cotton: A twisted, non-divisible cotton thread with a soft sheen.
Petit point: Needlepoint on very fine mesh, used for small, detailed work.
Ply: One strand of a thread that can be separated. Stitchers add or remove plies to suit the mesh.
Printed canvas: A canvas with a design printed on it by machine rather than painted by hand.
Restock: A store having a canvas available again after it sold out. See when canvases sell out.
Scroll frame: A frame with rollers that holds a canvas taut and lets you roll the stitched part out of the way.
Self-finishing: A project designed so the stitcher can finish it without a professional, such as some ornaments.
Sold out: A listing showing no copies available at that store.
Stitch count: The number of stitches in a design: width times mesh, times height times mesh.
Stitch guide: Instructions for one canvas saying which stitch and thread to use in each area. See stitch guides explained.
Stitch-in: An informal gathering where stitchers work on their own projects together, often at a store.
Stitch-painted: A canvas painted so each intersection has one clear color, showing exactly where each color goes.
Store: On this site, a business that sells needlepoint canvases, in person, online or both. See /stores.
Stretcher bars: Wooden bars that slot together into a frame. The canvas is tacked or stapled to them to keep it taut.
Tent stitch: The basic needlepoint stitch: a short diagonal stitch over one intersection.
Thread kit: A set of threads sold with or for a canvas.
Trunk show: A limited-time showing of one designer's canvases at a store, so customers can see and order designs the store does not normally stock.
Waste knot: A temporary knot placed on the front of the canvas, away from where you are stitching, to anchor a new thread. It is cut off once stitches secure the tail.
Wool: A traditional needlepoint fiber, durable and good at covering the canvas. Common for pillows and other pieces that are handled.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between needlepoint and cross-stitch?

Needlepoint is worked on a stiff open-weave canvas, usually covering the whole canvas with stitches. Cross-stitch is usually worked on soft fabric such as Aida or linen, often leaving the background unstitched.

What does LNS mean in needlepoint?

LNS stands for local needlepoint shop, what stitchers call a local needlepoint store: one that sells canvases, threads and supplies and often offers classes and finishing.

What is tent stitch?

Tent stitch is the basic needlepoint stitch: a short diagonal stitch over one intersection of the canvas. Continental, basketweave and half-cross are ways of working it.

What is a trunk show?

A trunk show is a limited-time showing of one designer's canvases at a store, so customers can see and order designs the store does not normally stock.

Cite this page: Needlepoint Design Space, "Needlepoint Glossary: Common Terms Defined", https://ndlpt.space/guides/needlepoint-glossary (updated October 25, 2026).