| "How much yarn, or thread, will I need for my | | | | canvas. Count how many "fists" of each color |
| needlepoint project?" If you are not stitching a | | | | your canvas requires. Each "fist" is approximately |
| needlepoint kit then this is undoubtedly a question | | | | one skein of tapestry wool - so that is an area of |
| you will need answered. Estimating needlepoint | | | | approximately 2 inches by 3 inches (the flat part |
| yarn quantities is not an exact science and there | | | | of your fist) per skein of yarn. If a skein is 8 |
| is a 'right' way and a 'quick' way to do this. | | | | yards then you can estimate it takes |
| The 'right' way of estimating thread quantities for | | | | approximately 8 yards of needlepoint tapestry |
| a needlepoint project is to stitch a square inch on | | | | yarn to cover 6 square inches of needlepoint |
| your selected canvas, using your selected yarn | | | | canvas. But, always buy at least 10% extra to |
| and the stitch you plan to use. You then calculate | | | | allow for small fists! |
| total yarn quantities by multiplying out from the | | | | There are some other factors you will want to |
| amount used to cover this square inch. I call this | | | | take into consideration before purchasing yarn: |
| method the 'right' way as it will give you the most | | | | - If your design is made up of a lot of small color |
| accurate measure of how much yarn you will | | | | areas you will need to buy more of that (those) |
| need. | | | | color(s). |
| The tricky part about the 'right' way of doing | | | | - Smaller mesh canvases will need more yarn |
| things is that often we do not have a little bit of | | | | than larger mesh. |
| the desired thread to test out on the canvas. | | | | - Basketweave stitch uses almost a third more |
| Maybe you want to buy all that you are likely to | | | | thread than continental stitch. |
| need all at once. This is when the 'quick' way of | | | | You can see why it is hard to estimate how |
| estimating needlepoint yarn quantities comes in | | | | much thread is required for a particular design! |
| handy. | | | | Hopefully this will help you to estimate the amount |
| This could also be called the "Fist Method of | | | | of thread required for your next needlepoint |
| Determining Needlepoint Yarn Amounts". Make a | | | | project. |
| fist and apply the flat part of the fist to the | | | | |