Needlepoint Tutorials - Needlework Canvas - a Guide to Needlepoint Canvases

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Needlework Canvases - a Guide to Needlepoint Canvas

A tutorial about - the different sizes and types of blank needlepoint canvas. The photographs below are of Zweigart Needlework Canvases - the finest in the world

There are three basic weaves of Needlepoint Canvases - - mono canvas - penelope ( or two thread ) - - and interlock ( leno ) canvas. The *mesh* - *count* or *holes per inch* are what define Petit Point - Demi Point and Gros Point. There are very few canvases made in the United States - with the the finest quality coming from Switzerland - Germany and France. It is made of cotton - of multiple threads spun into one strong thread.

Mono Deluxe Needlepoint Canvas

 

 

Blank Needlepoint Canvas - Mono
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MONO

 

Mono needlepoint canvas is a single thread or plain weave canvas. The warp thread is placed an even distance from the weft thread. Mono-canvas is made of a slightly heavier thread than the other canvases - and has a polished look which is due to the sizing. The reason for the sizing is to keep the threads in place separated while it is being woven and then worked. Due to this heavy sizing - mono is very easy to paint on - also being easy on eyesight because of the simple weave. It is available from ten to twenty-four mesh to the inch.

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Penelope Needlepoint Canvas

 

 

Canvas -  Penelope
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PENELOPE

 

Penelope Needlepoint Canvas has two threads in the warp and the weft to work over - with the warp threads woven very close together. Usually ecru colored - Penelope is made of a slightly lighter weight than mono needlepoint canvas. The advantage of using Penelope is that you may separate the pairs of threads with your needle and make it into mono canvas within the same project. This way details could be stitched in twenty mesh with the background in ten mesh. Ten / twenty is the most commonly used - although also available in twelve / twenty-four as well as a very durable seven / fourteen.

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Interlock Canvas

 

 

 

Interlock Needlepoint Canvas
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INTERLOCK

 

Interlock canvas is made from a thinner thread than the other blank needlepoint canvases and is more intricately woven. The newest addition to the canvases available - Interlock is a two-thread canvas with both warp and weft pairs woven very tightly together - the warp threads taking a half twist between each set of weft threads. Interlock ( often called Leno ) is the only canvas that all needlepoint stitches may be worked on. Because the threads are so close together - it is possible to work upright stitches on it - - and since it is a two thread needlepoint canvas - those stitches that cannot be worked on a loosely woven mono canvas can be worked on Interlock. It has a very even mesh count - which makes it ideal for graph work - easy to paint on - and good for silk screen or stenciling. Available from six to eighteen holes per inch.

 

 

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Canvas Sizes

 

 

 

Mono Canvas 10 mesh
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MONO 10 MESH

 

 

Interlock Canvas 18 count
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INTERLOCK 18 MESH

Needlepoint canvas comes in rolls forty inches wide - though it may be had as narrow as twenty-four inches or as wide as fifty-four inches. The terms *mesh* or *count* - are referring to holes per inch ( hpi ) - which range from three ( for rugs ) - to twenty-four holes within an inch.

If you plan to join two pieces of canvas together - for a rug or a wall hanging - be certain that you buy all your canvas for that project from the same bolt. Because there is a variation of the weave in each roll of canvas you could come up with an uneven count at the join. When cutting needlepoint canvas for a pieced rug - be sure it is cut as it will lie on the floor - all warps going in the same direction. This is one reason you often see the selvage on the left side ( within needlepoint kits ) - thus insuring that the warp is always going in the same direction.

Gros Point - Demi Point and Petit Point

French in origin - a casual rule to defining these terms could be that any canvas with sixteen mesh per inch or more is Petit Point - and canvas up to ten mesh per inch is Gros Point. Ten mesh is usually referred to as Demi Point.

We hope this Guide to the world of Needlepoint Canvases is helpful for beginners to needlework. Should you have any questions - please do not hesitate to Email us. Select the links ( top ) to view handpainted canvas designs.

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Tutorials

This is an ongoing section of our websites - where we propose to offer complete articles and photographs - about the multiple needlepoint *hidden secrets*

Please check frequently - as we add more information.

Jan Voich Designs

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Feel free to email or phone us - with any questions - to provide some feedback on our products - give us suggestions for new ideas and themes - or to just say hello !

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