Preparing to Stitch

• 1). Check the printed needlepoint kit package to determine whether it requires "continental" or "tent" stitching (diagonal stitches) or cross-stitching (two crossed diagonal stitches per square). If you have lost the instructions, closely examine the kit's photo of the finished piece.
  
  
• 2). Stretch and clamp the printed canvas between your embroidery rings. Unless the embroidery kit instructs otherwise, begin by ringing the upper left corner of the printed design.
  
  
• 3). Look at the color in the design printed closest to the corner. Choose the corresponding thread color included in the kit.
  
  
• 4). Thread a blunt embroidery needle with the appropriate color. Unless the embroidery kit instructs using more, thread just one strand. (Embroidery floss generally comes with six strands.)
  
  

Stitching

• 1). Insert the embroidery needle from underneath the canvas at the first printed stitch. Pull the embroidery thread up through the canvas, leaving approximately 1 inch of thread dangling underneath.
  
  
• 2). Make your first diagonal stitch. Pull the thread back through the canvas. Do not pull too tight or you will pull the thread completely out of the fabric.
  
  
• 3). Insert the embroidery needle from underneath the canvas at the second printed stitch. Pull the embroidery thread up through the canvas---this time catching the dangling inch of fabric and enclosing it with the back stitch. Repeat stitching and catching until the inch of thread is completely enclosed in your first few stitches. For cross-stitching, make diagonal stitches in a line, catching the thread underneath and continuing on until you reach the end of that color. Then come back with reverse diagonal stitches to complete the X stitches.
  
  
• 4). Continue stitching until you run out of thread or the specific colored area ends. Re-thread with the same color to continue with the same color design, or re-thread with a new color for a new color in the design.
  
  
• 5). Stitch as much as possible within the embroidery rings. Remove the rings and slide them to the next unstitched area of the canvas. Continue moving the embroidery rings and stitching until the entire design is complete.