Thursday, March 22, 2018

What is Penelope Canvas?

While you are shopping you may run across designs printed on penelope canvas and wonder how you stitch on it. Here's an explanation.
https://www.thespruce.com/double-thread-needlepoint-canvas-3861783

Penelope normally comes in 10/20 count although you can find 12/24 count.  Try working fine crewel wool or DMC cotton floss or size 12 perle cotton on it.  It is rougher than mono canvas and the holes are smaller, especially when you split the pairs to stitch smaller detail.
http://www.needleworkdiscount.com/penelope

Here's more information on penelope including the definition of gros pointe and petitpoint.
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/penelope-needlepoint.htm

Needlepoint for Fun also carries penelope canvases.  They are generally printed.  (I've never seen any hand painted penelope canvases.)   You may have seen canvases where the center design is stitched and the background is to be stitched by the purchaser.  These are generally on penelope canvas.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/shop/Kits-/Penelope-Needlepoint-Designs.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

2 comments:

LIZ said...

Back in the the day, Penelope came in more sizes. I stitched a large piece on 14/28 and I think I even once had some 20/40! The smaller meshes were in white, whereas the larger meshes were in brown. The good old days.....

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

Gosh, I've never seen white penelope canvas or those smaller sizes. Wish we had these options now.