Welcome to The Playful Needle. We are dedicated to offering the finest hand-painted needlepoint canvases, counted cross-stitch charts and fabrics, and crewel-work kits available. When the store was established in 1996, it was our mission to bring to Portland the threads and yarns that elevate needlework to the level of artistry and make stitching relaxing, fun, and rewarding. We are proud that we have succeeded in this endeavor, having made many friends along the way. The store now carries nearly 70 different types of needlework threads and most are present in complete color lines. As a full service needlework store, we also offer custom needle art finishing, needle art framing, painted canvas design, and counted thread design. Interested in classes? We'll custom-tailor them for you.

The Playful Needle is located in the west end of downtown Portland in the growing South Burnside district, on SW Alder between SW 11th and 12th Avenues. The Sobu District is the place for textile and fiber arts with Knit Purl (knitting), The Button Emporium (buttons, ribbons, heirloom embroidery, and doll making), and Josephine's Dry Goods (fashion fabrics and sewing) within four blocks of each other. While we do not currently offer online shopping, we are always happy to mail order, so e-mail or call us. Next time you are in Portland come and visit us; we are easily accessible via streetcar, bus, or MAX. For a map go to our About Us page.