Frogging in Needlepoint: When to Rip It Out (and When to Sleep On It)

If you’ve ever stared at your needlepoint canvas and thought, “This is either genius or garbage,” you’re not alone. Every stitcher eventually faces the frogging dilemma — the painful decision to remove your stitches and start again.

But should you actually frog it?

Sometimes your first instinct says yes. Other times, you’re unsure. In the world of needlepoint, those moments of doubt are common. You second-guess the stitch, the thread, even the color choice. Frogging in needlepoint is real — and exhausting.

For example, I nearly frogged the entire center of my Monopoly canvas. The area was large, and I had chosen a bold, graphic stitch. It felt risky. I questioned it more times than I care to admit. However, instead of ripping it out immediately, I paused. I let it sit overnight. I gave it space. And in the end? I didn’t frog it.

Now, every time I show someone that canvas, they comment on how much they love that center stitch.

So here’s my advice:

Don’t frog in the moment.

Wait. Sleep on it. Let your eyes (and your mood) settle. If you still hate it tomorrow, then frog. But often, you’ll find your gut was right — it just needed time.

Of course, there are times you’ll frog something three times before you get it right. That’s okay too. The key is not rushing the decision. Frogging takes time, effort, and energy — so be sure it’s the right move before you commit.

At Stitch Sloth, we know frogging is part of the journey. That’s why our StitchBook lets you track your stitches, colors, and fiber choices all in one place. Organizing your projects makes it easier to avoid mistakes — and gives you more confidence to trust your needlepoint instincts.

So next time you feel the frog creeping in…

Pause. Reflect. Breathe.

Then decide: to frog or not to frog?

Read about my Monopoly Canvas

This!

Happy Stitching!

Ilene