Drawing design on ipad

Great question! No, an Apple Pencil isn't required, you can absolutely draw and edit designs on an iPad using just your finger. Every tool (pencil/draw, fill, eraser, color picking, and zoom) works with touch.

That said, an Apple Pencil is very helpful for detailed work. Because needlepoint and cross-stitch designs are made up of individual stitches on a grid, a Pencil gives you finer control for placing single stitches accurately, especially when you're zoomed in on intricate areas. Your fingertip covers more of the screen, so for precise pixel-by-pixel (stitch-by-stitch) work, many people find the Pencil more comfortable.