{ Sara Fitz Striped Shirt Needlepoint Canvas }

Let’s call this New England-y as a couple of these designers are south of CT 😉

Stitching—both needlepoint and cross stitch—was one of the BEST gifts the dumpster fire that was 2020 brought me, and to which I fully credit my reduced stress level (relatively speaking). I’ve found the hobby to be the perfect combination of relaxing and satisfying, and it feels so good to be making something with my hands after so long without. Searching for projects is half the fun (though my wallet disagrees 😬), so here, m’dears, are a few New England needlepoint canvases + designers I’ve either shopped from or lusted over lately.

Alice & Blue | Be still my Vermont-loving heart. The Liquid Gold maple syrup tin is already in my stash, and I want to eventually stitch its half-pint mate. If you’re new to ndlpt + wondering where to start, Kelly’s beginner kits are a great place. 

Sara Fitz | Y’allready know of my love for Sara Fitz—as does my husband, who gifted me a stack of her watercolor needlepoint canvases for Christmas. These guys are TOUGH because of all the beautiful shading that goes into her art, but very worth the time. I have high hopes to turn this fisherman sweater into a patch for an LL Bean boat tote.

The Grandmillennial | This Sconset sign was my second-ever finish (so a great project for beginners!), and she has added even more Nantucket-themed cuties to her shop since—dying have this Millie’s sign finished into a bookmark.

image via Pip & Roo Needleworks

Pip & Roo Needleworks | Tarra’s shop has a whole array of motifs, but for the purpose of this post, she’s especially nailed the New England shoe trifecta: Bean Boots, Jack Rogers, and wellies. This daffodil basket is also one of the first canvases I ever slapped on my wishlist and I should probablyyyy take the fact that its in stock as a sign to #addtocart.

image via Sarah Jesensky Studio

Sarah Jesensky | My sweet friend Sarah JUST launched the first canvases of her already-thriving print shop Sarah Jesensky Studio. Think lobsters, ginger jars, striped tees…girlfriend would be right at home in Upper Right USA.

image via Morgan Julia Designs

Morgan Julia Designs | We’ll give MJD a pass for actually being based in Maryland on account of her coastal-inspired designs fitting right in up here 😉 I mean between Lobstah Roll, Lobster Dinner, and Oysters & Champagne, she’s nailed our main food group.

image via Erica Wilson

Erica Wilson | With a store on Nantucket’s Main Street, Erica Wilson is a given. In what will come as a surprise to no one, I have very lofty plans to stitch through all three of her ACK lighthouse canvases, and I’m dying to get this guy on my tree by next year.

Elizabeth Crane Swartz | You likely already know ECS’s jewelry (probably her calendars too!), but this talented queen who I feel SO lucky to call a friend (and a fellow stitcher) launched needlepoint last year. Buoy and boat ornaments they are not, but rather pillow, clutch, bag strap, coaster, and other colorful canvases that mimic her signature hand-painted beads.

Side note: Just drooling over the poms Annie added to ECS’s Lulu Key Fob canvas if you’re in need of some inspo.

{ Sara Fitz Whale Needlepoint Canvas + Sea Bags Blue Fish Wristlet; Blue Floral Needle Minder; Tallulah & Poppy Blue Gingham Mask }

PS. Why are needlepoint canvases so expensive? Most are handpainted! So you’re essentially buying an original piece of art each time. I try to just keep an eye out for sales and promos, and I save money on fibers by using DMC Pearl Cotton (#3 for 13/14-mesh & #5 for 18-mesh) instead of the more expensive silk, wool, or blends. I also find that there’s a bit of an upcharge on kits (fair enough, the sellers are doing extra work in sourcing and putting them together), and the longer you’ve been doing this, the more of a go-to color stash you collect.

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