Ready to give needlepoint a try? You’re in the right place. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas before or it’s just been a while, needlepoint is one of those hobbies that’s relaxing, creative, and surprisingly easy to learn.

We’ll start with the basics — the two foundational stitches: basketweave and continental. Once you’ve got those down, you can stitch just about any canvas that catches your eye.

Follow along with our step-by-step guide or how-to video to learn at your own pace. Before you know it, you’ll be stitching like a pro (and wondering why you didn’t start sooner).

Before you get started, make sure you have a needlepoint canvas (shop our favorite beginner canvases here), thread and a needle.