Needlepoint

Needlepoint is a form canvas work created on a mesh canvas. The threads used may be wool, silk, or rarely cotton. Stitches may be plain, covering just one mesh intersection with a single orientation, or fancy, such as bargello[?]. Plain stitches may be worked as basketweave[?] or half cross[?]. Basketweave uses the most wool, but does not distort the rectangular mesh.

Finished works may be made into pillows or upholstery[?], or may be displayed on the wall. Typical mesh counts range from 5 to 18 stitches per running inch.

Needlepoint is valued as a soothing activity that creates durable and attractive objects for domestic use. Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Martin, the actress, were all avid needlepointers.