Embroidery Hoops

What Does an Embroidery Hoop Do?

The job of an embroidery hoop is simple: hold your fabric under consistent tension while you stitch. Two rings (an inner and an outer) sandwich the fabric between them, and a screw on the outer ring lets you tighten the tension until the surface is drum-taut. That stability is what lets you place each stitch precisely, without the fabric shifting or bunching underneath your needle.

Without a hoop, it's very difficult to maintain even tension across a piece, and the result tends to show through puckering, distortion, and stitches that don't lie flat. With a well-fitted hoop, you can stitch for longer with less effort and get results that look genuinely professional.

Choosing the Right Size Embroidery Hoop

Hoop size matters more than people expect. The basic rule: your hoop should be large enough to contain the full design if possible, so you're not re-hooping partway through and risking hoop marks on finished sections.

We stock hoops in 6", 7", and 10" sizes, which cover the most popular range for hand embroidery and cross-stitch projects.

• 6" hoops – Ideal for smaller designs, motifs, and detail work. They're great for beginners starting with simple patterns and for finishing pieces that will be displayed in the hoop itself.
• 7" hoops – Give you a bit more working space without becoming unwieldy. A versatile mid-size that suits various standard embroidery designs and most cross-stitch charts.
• 10" hoops – The go-to for larger projects and more ambitious designs, such as botanical illustrations, detailed samplers, and any pattern that covers a significant amount of fabric.

When in doubt, go slightly larger than you think you need. A hoop that's too small forces you to reposition the fabric mid-project, while a larger hoop just gives you extra working room.

Beyond Stitching: Hoop Art and Display

One of the reasons embroidery hoops have had such a resurgence in recent years is that they've been repurposed as frames. Once your design is complete, you can trim and finish the fabric behind the hoop and hang the whole thing directly on the wall. The hoop becomes part of the piece.

This is the heart of the hoop art trend: embroidered botanicals, lettering, abstract designs, and portraits finished and displayed inside a natural wood or coloured hoop. It's a beautiful, low-cost way to frame handmade work, and it's one of the reasons hoops have moved from the craft room to the living room.

Build Out Your Embroidery Setup

A hoop is just the starting point. If you're putting together a complete embroidery kit, embroidery floss is the next essential. We stock DMC, Anchor, and Poppy Crafts options in a huge range of colours, finishes, and formats. And if you're new to the craft and want everything in one box, our embroidery kits include fabric, thread, a hoop, needle, and instructions, so you can start stitching the same day.

Shop Embroidery Hoops at CraftOnline

CraftOnline is one of Australia's largest online art and craft shops, stocking over 700 brands and 50,000 products across every craft category. Whether you need a single hoop to get started or want to stock up on multiple sizes for different projects, you'll find the right embroidery hoops in Australia with free shipping on orders over $119.

Browse the full range above, or explore the rest of our art and craft shop to find everything you need for your next project.