--- title: "Needlepoint Glossary: Common Terms Defined" description: "Plain definitions of common needlepoint terms: mesh, tent stitch, basketweave, stitch guide, blocking, finishing, trunk show, LNS and more." url: "https://ndlpt.space/guides/needlepoint-glossary" markdown_url: "https://ndlpt.space/guides/needlepoint-glossary.md" type: "guide" updated: 2026-10-25 published: 2026-10-25 license: "CC BY 4.0" license_url: "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" publisher: "Needlepoint Design Space" cite: "Needlepoint Design Space, \"Needlepoint Glossary: Common Terms Defined\", https://ndlpt.space/guides/needlepoint-glossary (updated October 25, 2026)." --- # 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](https://ndlpt.space/guides/needlepoint-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](https://ndlpt.space/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](https://ndlpt.space/guides/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](https://ndlpt.space/guides/needlepoint-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](https://ndlpt.space/guides/when-needlepoint-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](https://ndlpt.space/guides/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](https://ndlpt.space/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. ## Related pages - [Starting needlepoint](https://ndlpt.space/guides/starting-needlepoint) - [Needlepoint canvas FAQ](https://ndlpt.space/guides/needlepoint-canvas-faq) - [How data is collected](https://ndlpt.space/methodology) ## 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. ## Related - [All guides](https://ndlpt.space/guides) - [Methodology](https://ndlpt.space/methodology) - [Canvases A–Z](https://ndlpt.space/canvases) --- **Cite this page:** Needlepoint Design Space, "Needlepoint Glossary: Common Terms Defined", (updated October 25, 2026). License: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Thumbnails are © their designers.