Bold colors, playful patterns, and unmistakable charm—Kristine Kingston’s needlepoint designs are instantly recognizable and endlessly fun to stitch. In this interview, we sat down with Kristine to learn more about her creative process, the inspiration behind her signature style, and how she turned her love of design into a vibrant presence in the needlepoint world.

Shop our collection of Kristine Kingston canvases here.

Tell us about yourself! We'd love to hear a bit about who you are beyond the needle and thread.

Hi there! I'm Kristine Kingston, and I'm excited to share a bit about my journey from avid stitcher to needlepoint designer. Beyond the canvas, my greatest joy is being a mom to my two grown daughters, who now live in New York City. They often joke that our chocolate lab has taken their place as my favorite "child" now that they've flown the nest!
I'm a Baltimore native, though I've had stints in Philadelphia and Rochester, NY, before happily returning home. These days, my better half and I split our time between the Baltimore suburbs and the beautiful Maryland/Delaware coast, which means plenty of inspiration from both city and sea.
When I'm not designing, I love to get creative in the kitchen. My big summer goal is to finally master sourdough – I swear I'm the only one who didn't pick up that hobby during COVID! I'm also an avid birder, often found exploring local national refuge parks. Don't be surprised if I make an impromptu stop on a road trip if a cool refuge pops up on the map!
Gardening, especially container gardening (I'm terribly allergic to bees!), is another passion. And for a little friendly competition, you'll often find us playing backgammon or cards when my big extended family gathers. I recently discovered Mahjong, and I'm completely hooked!

What first sparked your interest in needlepoint? 

Creativity runs deep in my family. My great-great-grandmother owned a dress shop in Baltimore in the early 1900s, crafting beautiful gowns for local women. My great-grandmother crocheted exquisite Afghans (one still graces a chair in my bedroom!), and my grandmother was a talented crewel embroiderer, needlepointer, and seamstress – she even made my prom dresses! My mom taught me cross-stitch as a teenager, and I made the leap to needlepoint in my 20s after a memorable visit to Erica Wilson on Nantucket. My grandfather was an avid gardener and a huge supporter of my creative side as a young child. He had me enter an art show at our local summer fair when I was 7. I won the top prize for my age group, much to all of our surprise!

What inspired you to make the leap from stitcher to designer?

I was always the kid with a sketchbook, dreaming of a creative career. When my youngest
daughter was in elementary school, I landed a part-time job at my Local Needlepoint Shop (LNS). I absolutely adored it! I probably spent more than I earned, but it was worth every penny. I started by tweaking and fixing custom belts, which quickly evolved into painting more and more.
A pivotal moment came when I attended a market with the shop owner and met Judee
Karchmer Norgaard of NeedleDeeva. We became fast friends. During a class visit to the shop, Judee saw me painting a belt and, to my utter surprise, asked if I wanted to start a wholesale line! I was speechless, nervous, and incredibly excited all at once. She encouraged me to paint some belts and come to market with her.
Soon after, she called, announcing she'd "hired us a guy." Confused, I asked, "A guy to do what?" She laughed and said, "All the stuff you don’t want to do." That "guy" was Chris Lewis, my wonderful distributor, and she was absolutely right! Chris makes it possible for me to focus on what I love most: designing canvases. Judee passed away in 2018, and I still miss her laughter and smile dearly.

What's your favorite part of the design process?

My design process can be a bit messy, with ideas jotted down in my phone's notes app and various little notebooks. I still sketch on graph paper, whether it's 18 or 13 count. There’s something magical about seeing my ideas take shape and become real canvases. My favorite part of the process is truly seeing the paint hit the canvas and bringing those initial concepts to life.

Where do you find inspiration for your next design?

Inspiration comes from everyday life and spending time outdoors. I'm naturally drawn to
patterns, textiles, nature, and, of course, color. I often think about the canvases I'd love to have in my own home or stitch myself. While I design with specific stitches in mind, I always ensure the piece will look just as lovely if stitched entirely in basketweave, making it accessible for all skill levels.

Do you have a favorite canvas in your line?

With a line of 1589 designs (and over 100 more coming to market in Frisco this fall!), it's
impossible to pick a single favorite. I truly love them all!

If you had to describe your brand in a paragraph, what would it be?

Kristine Kingston Designs creates distinctive needlepoint canvases that expertly blend classic elements with a contemporary aesthetic. While drawing on timeless motifs, I'm known for using vibrant, sometimes unexpected, and modern color combinations – think bright pinks, lively greens, and bold blues – to give my designs a distinctly fresh and lively feel, appealing to both traditional and modern stitchers.