needleworker

A needleworker is a person who engages in needlework, which encompasses a wide range of crafts that involve using a needle and thread or yarn to create textiles or decorate fabric. These crafts often require skill, patience, and precision.

The term "needleworker" can refer to individuals who practice various forms of embroidery, such as cross-stitch, needlepoint, and surface embroidery. These techniques involve creating designs by passing thread through fabric in a specific pattern. Quilting is another significant needlework craft, where layers of fabric are joined together with stitching, often to create blankets or decorative pieces.

Other common needlework activities include sewing, both for practical purposes like garment construction and for creative expression, and various forms of lace-making. Knitting and crochet, while often considered separate categories, also fall under the broader umbrella of needlework due to their use of needles (or hooks) and yarn to create fabric.

Historically, needlework was often a domestic skill, particularly for women, used for creating clothing, household linens, and decorative items. Today, needlework is practiced by people of all genders and ages, both as a hobby and as a profession. Needleworkers may specialize in a particular craft or be proficient in several. The finished products can range from functional items to intricate works of art.