Extremely Useful Needlepoint Tools, Supplies & Gizmos

While you can certainly do needlepoint successful with nothing more than a frame, canvas, needle and thread, there are a variety of different tools on the market that can help to make your projects go more smoothly and look more professional when they are finished.

Here's a list of some useful needlepoint tools, supplies and gizmos that you may want to add to your needlepoint kit.

A Needle Threader

Sometimes the hardest part of a needlepoint project is getting the needle threaded! You can eliminate the hassle of spending a lot of time trying to get the thread through the eye of the needle with a needle threader. These clever little gadgets have a very thin wire loop that slides through the eye of the needle and makes a large loop on the other side of the needle.

All you have to do is string your thread through the large loop and then pull the needle threader back through the eye of the needle. Your thread is pulled right along with it and your needles is quickly and easily threaded and ready to go.

A Laying Tool

Laying tools are smooth tools usually made of wood or metal that are used to help control the way that the thread is layed onto the fabric. These tools are great for working with ribbon since they can help to keep the ribbon from twisting and also can be a lifesaver if you are working with plied silk.

Magnifying Tool

Needlepoint is fine work that requires you to see the detail of the canvas threads. This task can be made a lot easier with a great magnifying tool. Look for a magnifier that doesn't require you to hold it in your hand so you can have both hands free to do your work.

Reading glasses are an option, as are clip-on magnifiers that go right over your own glasses. They also make magnifying lamps that are like a donut shaped desk lamp with a large magnifying glass right in the middle of the light. These are great because not only do they magnify, but they also provide lots of light.

Thread Cutter

Of course you can cut scissors, but if you like to travel with your needlepoint it can be a lot easier to get around with a thread cutter instead. These handy little gizmos are usually very small and thin so they are easy to pack around. They typically are a disc shape and have little slits around the edge that you slide the thread into to cut it.

Although not essential, these are some great tools to have around for your needlepoint projects. They can make your work go much more quickly and can help you get a better finished piece.