Laid Work
A technique where long threads are laid across a shape and then stitched over.

Laying Tool
A pointed tool used to align threads so they lay flat.

Length of Thread
Use a thread length that is no longer than needed (usually 16”-24”); longer lengths can wear thin or shred.

Mesh
The intersection of the horizontal and vertical canvas threads.

Mono Canvas
An even weave canvas made of single horizontal and vertical threads.

Needlepoint
A generic term for canvas stitches.

Needles
To choose the correct size for a canvas, the needle should just barely drop through a canvas hole. Recommended for 13 mesh is a size 20 tapestry needle. 18 mesh would use a size 22.

Motif Stitch
A surface stitch worked individually as an accent.

Open Stitch
A stitch that allows the canvas (ground fabric) to show.

Orts
The small, trimmed pieces of yarn or thread from starting and ending a stitch.

Ort Bag
A bag used to collect orts; some save them for stuffing.

Penelope Canvas
A canvas formed by woven pairs of horizontal and vertical threads. Also called 2-thread canvas.

Pens
Always test that a pen or marker is waterproof. Never use a ballpoint pen on canvas.

Perle Cotton
A twisted 2-ply thread.

Persian Yarn
A 3-ply yarn (three 2-ply strands) that can be separated into individual strands.

Petit Point
Needlepoint worked on a fine mesh canvas or silk gauze.

PhD
Projects half done

Shot or Sand Bags
Small weighted bags used to hold down stretcher strip frames while stitching at a table.

Stab Method
A two-motion stitching technique used when the canvas is held taut: the needle is "stabbed" up from the back, and then stabbed down into the next hole.

Straight Stitches
Upright stitches worked over horizontal canvas threads.

Stranded Cotton
The British name for floss.

Stripping (or plying)
Any stranded fiber (wool, cotton, silk, blends, hand dyed, bamboo, etc.).

Tapestry Needle
A needle used for needlepoint with a blunt tip and large eye.

Tapestry Yarn
A twisted 4-ply yarn used primarily for needlepoint.

Twisted Thread
Caused by rolling the needle; to fix, let the needle and yarn dangle to allow the thread to unwind.

UFO
Unfinished Objects

Warp
The canvas threads that run lengthwise (from the loom).

Weft
The canvas threads that run horizontally, woven with the warp threads.

WIP
Works in Progress

Waste Knot
The only acceptable knot in needlework. It is used to hold the yarn temporarily at the start and is cut off once covered by stitches.

Woof
The Old English word for weft.

Wrong Side
The back of the canvas where threads are started and ended, which is not seen.

Yarn
Any stranded fiber (wool, cotton, silk, acrylic, nylon, etc.).