Berlin wool work

The most significant moment that led to needlepoint, as it is done in the U.S. today, happened in the 1800s.

There was a craze for what became known as Berlin Woolwork.

We have mentioned this in our episode on cross-stitch.

Berlin Woolwork was a pastime that originated in Berlin in the 1800s.

It involved using patterns and counted stitches to make intricate designs.

These designs were stitched in ten-stitch or in cross-stitch.

You could think of Berlin Woolwork as a common ancestor to cross-stitch and modern needlepoint.

It is above both crafts on the evolutionary tree.