A Beginner's First Canvas: What to Buy, What to Skip

The most common mistake new stitchers make isn't a technique issue, it's buying too much, too soon. A great first canvas needs one canvas, one thread type, one pair of scissors, and one hour of instruction. That's the whole list.

Pick a canvas around 5 by 5 inches, 13-mesh, with two or three large color blocks and no faces. Ornaments are perfect. So are simple monograms. Leave the intricate florals for round two.

For thread, we'll start you on wool, Bella Lusso or Planet Earth. One skein of each color in the design, plus a spare of whichever is the dominant background.

You do not, on your first canvas, need magnification, a stand, a laying tool, a beeswax cake, or a specialty organizer. You need a canvas, thread, a size 22 tapestry needle, small sharp scissors, and stretcher bars sized to your piece.

Come in, and we'll set the whole thing up with you at the front counter. First stitch on us.