Yarns for needlepoint come in many fibers, weights and textures, as well as many beautiful colors.

Weight. One of the most important factors in yarn selection is weight or thickness. The weight of the yarn varies with the type: for example, tapestry yarn is thinner than rug yarn. If you have purchased a needlepoint pattern, it will specify the yarn you should use for the project. If you substitute a different yarn, make sure it's the same weight as the specified yarn. Some stitches may be included in the pattern that will not look as good in the pattern if done in a different yarn weight.

The yarn should slide easily through the canvas holes, but be thick enough to cover the canvas with the stitches. Larger canvas gauges will, of course, require heavier or thicker yarn than smaller gauges.

Strand and ply. These two terms relate to the yarn structure. A strand is the unit; ply is a part of the strand. Strands are easily separated from one another, allowing needlepointers to increase or decrease the thickness of the yarn. Plies are not easily separated.

Fiber. Needlepoint yarns come in a variety of fibers, including natural fibers such as cotton, wool and silk; and manufactured fibers, such as acrylic, rayon and metallic. Wool is the fiber most often used for needlepoint projects because it is a strong fiber that has proven to be durable. It also holds dyes very well, ensuring that the finished project retains its beauty for many years.

Do not substitute knitting or crocheting yarns for needlepoint yarns. The fibers in needlepoint yarns are longer and therefore stronger than those made for knitting and crocheting. They stand up better to the wear or being pulled through the canvas repeatedly.

Persian yarn: This is a 2-ply, 3-strand wool yarn one of the most versatile and popular needlepoint yarns because the strands can be separated depending on the thickness required.

Tapestry yarn: Tapestry yarn comes in both wool and acrylic and is a fine, 4-ply, single-strand yarn.

Crewel yarn: This is a single-strand yarn that is wool or acrylic and is finer than a single strand of Persian yarn. It is most often used in crewel embroidery (hence, the name!), but is also used in needlepoint projects.

Embroidery floss: This is a versatile and popular thread available in cotton, rayon and silk. The number of strands and plies varies with the fiber content.

Pearl cotton: This thread is made only with cotton, as the name implies. It is a single-strand thread that comes in different thicknesses. It is finished so the thread has a slight sheen.

Matte embroidery cotton: This is a cotton thread that is soft and has a dull finish (unlike pearl cotton).

Rug yarn: This is a very thick yarn most often used for rugs. It comes in a variety of fibers, including wool, acrylic, and rayon-cotton blend. The thickness varies with the fiber content.

Metallic thread: Not really a yarn, but frequently used in needlepoint projects to add extra detail and interest, this thread is available in a variety of metallic colors. It is not very durable and is used mainly for very small areas or in stitching over needlepoint.

The foundation of any needlepoint project is the canvas. It's important to not only select the appropriate canvas for your project, but to make sure it is of the highest quality. You will spend a lot of time on your project, and it has the potential to last many, many years. It doesn't pay in the long run to select a canvas that is cheap or flawed. Inspect the canvas before you buy it, to make sure the threads are free of knots or cuts. If you buy your canvas online, inspect it immediately when you receive it, and send it back if it's flawed.

Not all needlepoint canvases are created equal. Most patterns will indicate what type of canvas you should use, and of course a canvas will be included with any needlepoint kit. However, it's always good to be familiar with the different types.

Plain mono canvas: This is one of the most common types of needlepoint canvas. Along with interlock mono, these canvases have a single mesh structure. The construction of the mesh, however, is different in each. The locked construction of the interlock mono canvas is more stable than the plain intersecting mesh of the plain mono canvas. All needlepoint stitches can be formed successfully on an interlock mono canvas; however, plain mono canvas is not suitable for use with certain needlepoint stitches, such as the half-cross stitch. These stitches require the more stable construction of the interlock mono canvas.

Penelope canvas: This canvas has a double mesh construction. Besides being strong, it has a second advantage - it can be adjusted so that stitches of different sizes can be worked on the same piece of canvas. Penelope double-mesh adaptability makes it advantageous for designs that specify finely stitched areas.

These are the most commonly used types of needlepoint canvas. However, there are additional options.

Rug canvas: In rug canvases, each mesh is formed by two lengthwise threads twisted around each other, and a pair of crosswise threads. Threads cannot be separated. As the name suggests, rug canvas is for needlepoint rug projects.

Plastic canvas: These needlepoint canvases are molded plastic, rather than woven fabric. They are sold in cut pieces and used mostly for craft items, such as Christmas ornaments, tote bags and coasters.

If you are working from a purchased needlepoint pattern, the pattern will specify the gauge of the canvas. If you want your project to turn out the same size as specified in the pattern design, it's essential that you purchase materials as specified in the pattern.