A needlepoint stand is a crafting tool that is used to hold needlepoint canvases in place while they are being worked on. It is quite common for people to use needlepoint hoops that are not connected to a stand when they are working on a needlepoint project. This is because hoops are mobile and can be held closer to the body. A needlepoint stand can be used by people who prefer to have their hands free to work the thread. These stands are also sometimes used by people who are working on large projects and by people who like to present their work while it is in progress.
There are many needlepoint stand models. Some are meant to rest on a table top where the thread worker is completing a project. Others have legs that reach to the floor so that the thread worker can sit in a chair while working on a project. In most cases, a needlepoint stand is made out of wood. The part of the stand that holds the needlepoint canvas in place may be made of wood, metal, or a combination of the two materials.
The part of a needlepoint stand that holds the needlepoint canvas in place may be round or rectangular. Needlepoint hoops can be used for projects that are larger than the size of the canvas that fits within the hoop. The canvas simply has to be readjusted as the thread worker completes sections. One of the benefits of a needlepoint stand is that it allows the thread worker to see the entire canvas at once. This is a benefit for those who are not following a pattern and, instead, are creating a new work from scratch.
For those who are in the market for an attractive needlepoint stand, there are both newly fabricated models and antiques available on the market. Like many pieces of antique furniture, an antique needlepoint stand is a functional object. Some people use attractive needlepoint stands to show off needlepoint art instead of to create it.
For those who are looking for a highly functional needlepoint stand, it is wise to consider new models that come with attachments. There are stands that come with holders for needlepoint supplies. Some also come with adjustable lights. This feature is very useful for people who generally work in areas that do not have ideal lighting for this kind of detailed work.