11/18/2025 - Opposite of Expert: Needlepoint
Episode 02 - Needlepoint with Ashley
Welcome to Opposite of Expert, a new series from The 33 Project.
Opposite of Expert is for curious generalists. Each post will tackle a new subject you may know nothing about! Instead of aiming for mastery, the goal here is modest: learn just enough to hold a relevant conversation. In other words, tickle that part of your brain that likes to learn something new.
Let’s talk format. In each post, I connect with one person who is an expert on a subject and I ask them three questions. They then provide short, thoughtful responses so we all get to sound a little bit smarter. Instead of the traditional back and forth interview style, these expert guests have gone ahead and sent me either voice notes or short video responses to my questions. This way you get to hear/see it straight from the expert.
The goal is to drop new posts every Tuesday. Feel free to comment on subjects you want to learn more about and share feedback. Enjoy!
Hello hello. You are in for a treat today, reader. A little while back I was scrolling on TikTok and who should pop onto my feed but my hilarious friend Ashley over in Alabama. After the instant dopamine hit from seeing Ashley, I found myself puzzled at the words coming out of her mouth. “Hey cuties, happy WIP Wednesday.”
What is this WIP she is talking about? Certainly she wouldn’t be so bold as to share her casual desire for whippets on a Wednesday. No, of course not.
WIP Wednesday refers to sharing your “work-in-progress” project to a known community. And, what community is that? The needlepoint community! As you’ll learn below, Ashley became a stitcher and is now a thriving member of the NDPLT community both online and in person.
So let’s jump in. I’ve sent Ashley my questions and she has so kindly taken the time to thoughtfully respond with answers that will undoubtedly make all of us more capable of holding a short, relevant conversation on the topic of: NEEDLEPOINT.
Question 1: Ok, what is needlepoint? What do I need to know on a basic level to understand this craft.
Question 2: Talk to me about the tools you need to needlepoint. And the accessories.
Question 3: Walk me through the levels of needlepoint and why you love it.
Bonus Answer: On the needlepoint community, controversies, and crafting politics.
(I really love this snippet)
I’m so here for the crochet girls meeting up with the needlepoint girls to hang.
So, that concludes today’s lesson. If you want a little more, check out Ashley’s TikTok where she posts her projects, including this incredible one I commissioned from her for Susannah’s birthday. She really is so talented!
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
“I don’t want to stitch something for even an hour if I’m not having fun.” Words to live by Ash. Thank you and happy stitching!
Oh also go buy Ashley’s incredible designs and accessories over on her etsy shop, here! Lastly if you want to become more than just the opposite of an expert, check out this resource recommended by Ashley.
Have a great Tuesday.