If it’s Perforated, Can I Stitch on it?

This post from the archives is reposted as part of the Blast from the Past series. New content will return October 3, 2013.

The really simple answer to this is yes. Anything that has holes drilled in it in a regular grid-like pattern can be the ground for needlepoint.

Think of these grounds as being like perforated paper or plastic canvas but made of a different material.

However, the size of the grid (think of it as being like mesh-size) will determine how “rustic” it looks. Bigger grids will make more rustic designs, so pick your pattern accordingly.

You also need to be sure to pick a thread or yarn that will cover well. This may mean that you’ll need to use bulky or even super bulky knitting yarns to get the right look.

It opens up a whole new world of possible needlepoint, but there are some things to remember.

• Most of these materials are quite rigid, so they may be harder to hold.
• Rarely do they have large margins, so you need to adjust your thinking and be ready to manipulate your needle differentlyt
• If you can see straight through the hole with no barrier, you can use a blunt needle, but if you can’t (for example if a purse is lined), you will need to use a chenille needle which is a sharp-ended tapestry needle.

Here are some examples of stitching done on these kinds of grounds. In pieces ready-made for stitching, look at AMH Designs with their notebooks and key fobs, leese designs iPhone4 case, or, over on Etsy, this kit for a wooden square necklace. If you want to be more adveturous, look to products with hole drilled in them and then stitch on it. Some creative ideas include this cross-stitched Fossil bag, or this contemporary lamp. Other grid-like grounds you could use for needlepoint include nylon screens, pegboard, or some kind of metal mesh.

Look around you, there are plenty of grids to embellish!

Correction: In Saturday’s column I stated that Pischke Pockets distributed Elizabeth Bradley and Kirk & Hamilton. This is incorrect, although they are all located in the same building, they are different companies and distributed independently of each other. My apologies for any confusion this caused.