Author and needlepoint designer, Shay Pendray captures in writing for the first time her award-winning tips and techniques for stitching, from the basics--starting and stopping thread, laying multistranded threads, and framing--to embellishing, combining stitches, and new innovative couching techniques. More than just an ordinary needlepoint book--enthusiasts will find answers to questions found nowhere else Readers will learn how to select composite stitches; new couching techniques and using metallics on canvas and metal threads; combining counted needlepoint stitches and embroidery; and embellishing canvas with silk--there is not a more complete reference on the market that addresses silk--types of silk and when and where to use silks. Suitable for needlepoint stitchers of all skill levels this reference combines full-color photographs and illustrations to demonstrate each technique.