Deborah's Vintage Pumpkins

Park Avenue Needlepoint sells Deborah's pumpkins made from recycled vintage needlepoint, adored with wonderful artificial flowers or fruit and dried pumpkin stems.  They vary in price depending on the cost of the embellishments and are one-of-a-kind treats that honor the stitchers who came before us.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/module/search_content.htm?form_version=2&showSearchResults=1&search_keyword=deborah&image=Search

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Create a Rhodes Circle: The Movie

Needlepoint.com is doing a Star Santa Club in 2024, releasing one of Associated Talent's Star Santas and a guide each month.  They've done a video demonstration of a Rhodes Circle Stitch here.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/santa-stars

There are also diagrams of various sizes of Rhodes Circles, so you can see how to enlarge or shrink the stitch to fit the round area in your design.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

French Knots and Colonial Knots: The Movies

Melissa of The Wool and The Floss demonstrates how to make a single wrap French knot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3x_KrfLLyE/

Then Melissa shows how to make a Colonial Knot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4D11ALLs4F/

If you want to see both stitches worked to compare the final look, Stella at WhyKnotStitches has you covered.  She's embroidering them on linen but the look will be similar on needlepoint canvas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3n95FaND3H/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 26, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Blue Cat in the Jungle Mystery Class

The April-May 2024 mystery project from Ruth at Bedecked and Beadazzled is going to be Johanna Virtanen's "Blue Cat in the Jungle."

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/02/blue-cat-in-the-jungle/

As Ruth works the canvas and the mystery is revealed, I'll post updates so you can follow along.

First, Ruth works the background and the black rocks at the bottom of the canvas in subtle stitches.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/04/blue-cat-background/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 25, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Silk Ribbon Tulips: The Movie

Mai Bordados has a fun video showing how silk ribbon embroidery tulips are made.  The video's speeded up; in reality SRE flowers should be done slowly so you can let the ribbon do its thing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3l-1i9sq7H/

She does lots of flowers in silk ribbon so you might want to explore her Instagram account for more.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 25, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Three Easy Ways to Embellish Your Needlepoint

Poppy Monk lists three easy ways to embellish your needlepoint canvases:  light coverage stitches, borders, and surface stitches.  You can read more detail here--

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-revolution-unleash-your-inner-stitch-master-with-poppy-monk

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Getting to Know Merry L

The latest Pointing It Out podcast interviews Ellen Davis, the co-owner of Merry L Needlework Accessories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8mKdzJh34

If you have a Facebook account, you can see more of Merry L's products here.

https://www.facebook.com/merrylneedleworkaccessorirs

Here are some of the fabrics the collapsable ort holders come in.

https://woolfloss.com/products/collapsible-fabric-ort-catcher?_pos=2&_sid=6ad098ffc&_ss=r&variant=44245829320924

Here's more about the needle cozies.

https://nuts-about-needlepoint.com/merry-l-needle-cozies-product-review/

Here's the triangular frame weight.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Frame-Weight-x68824157.htm

Wooden laying tools with beaded tassels.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Wood-Laying-tools-with-beaded-tassel-x68824174.htm

Japanese pen scissors with beaded tassels.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Japanese-Pen-style-Scissors-with-Beaded-tassel-x68824215.htm

Felted ball scissor fobs.

https://woolfloss.com/products/needle-threader-fob-with-felted-balls-and-flowers

Of course your favorite shop may stock these tools already.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 24, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meet the Finisher: The Movie

Needlepoint.com has posted a short video interview with Molly, who is head of their finishing department, explaining how she came to the world of needlepoint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bUXEiwen9Q

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 24, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Watch Abigail Cecile Paint an Easter Rabbit

The designer Abigail Cecile has posted a YouTube video of her painting an Easter Rabbit canvas on 13 count as part of the promotion for her online canvas painting class.  It's fun to watch, even if you don't want to paint your own canvases.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU0IV37Ni-I

If you are curious about the painting class, you can sign up for information on the Abigail Cecile website.

https://omniform1.com/forms/v1/landingPage/61d3410dd457aa001dd6e2df/64e62532ecef335754122bec?omnisendContactID=61d4f71be5b2120022be7c19&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Easter+Rabbit+Painting+Video+%2865f47dd4b7e1318a60961881%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 16, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholics Alert: Thread Gatherer's La Brume

Stitched Up Needleworks mentioned a new wool/metallic thread from Thread Gatherer called La Brume.

https://mailchi.mp/stitchedupneedleworks/introducing-labrume?e=07414d94b0

Each skein is 10 yards of fiber and is non-dividable.  It appears to be the diameter of crewel wool although I've not seen it in person.

https://threadgatherer.com/collections/la-brume

Thread Gatherer's Instagram says it's thicker than their Silken Pearl Five.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1xFosgE6E/

You can also purchase some via Thread Gatherer's Etsy store.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheThreadGatherer?section_id=22508522

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bras for Your Beads: The Movie

The Wool and the Floss demonstrates how to lasso your beads so that they stay in position on your canvas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3gAyYHrQgM/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 19, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

French Knots: The Movie

Do French knots mystify you?  Ruth's video will make it clear.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3aaJq_sKYV/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Chart for Spring from Eye Candy

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has created another free chart, this time one celebrating spring.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2024/03/new-freebie-chart-for-spring-24.html

Here's the direct link for the download.

https://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/EyeCandy_Needleart/Bonus_Charts.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitch by Stitch Profiles Lori R.

Stitch by Stitch in Larchmont, NY has started profiling customers and in March 2024, they introduce us to Lori Rozmus.  Click on the link below and learn about Lori's journey to needlepoint and see her wonderful pieces.

https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/pages/stitcher-of-the-month-lori-rozmus

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Remembrance for Carole UPDATED

The late Carole Lake and Gail Ettinger were reworking one of Carole's older charts, "Remembrance Ribbons," just before Carole died unexpectedly.   The design is now available by emailing Gail at gail@stitchestogo.com.  It costs $25 and all the proceeds will be donated to the Texas Performing Arts Youth Program in Carole's memory.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228796015503805&set=gm.7166721206738309&idorvanity=108537025890131

I grabbed the photo from Gail's posting to Needlepoint Nation so those without Facebook accounts could see Carole's work above.

UPDATE:  There are six alternative color ways listed in the chart.  Gail has pulled threads for them all so you can see what they look like.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/7199170230160073/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Melita is Being Sucked in by Razzle-Dazzle

Melita is sampling Ann Strite-Kurz's "Razzle-Dazzle," which happens to be my favorite of Ann's counted designs, especially the ruby version.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/02/16/ruby-razzle-dazzle-by-ann-strite-kurz/

Melita's right that Ann's patterns have a lot of steps but the outcome is magnificent.  Ann's got a mathematician's brain, in my opinion, and works everything out in the best way possible.  That amazes me, since I belong to the Slapdash Stitching Club.  Ann's backgrounds are gorgeous and you don't have to do all the steps.  Sometimes I stop after one or two because I love the effect.

You can see other color versions of Razzle-Dazzle here--

https://njneedleartists.org/njna-workshops/sotm/2015-sotm-ruby-razzle-dazzle/

and another's here--

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/379357968582197386/

If you are charmed, then you can order the chart from Ann directly.  By the way, click on Designs or Books at the top of the website to browse more of Ann's incredible work.

https://www.annstritekurz.com/ask45.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Review of DMC's Eco Vita Wool

Mary Corbet has stitched a bit with DMC's new Eco Vita crewel wool, which is a naturally dyed organic wool.  You can see photos of some of the colors, Mary's stitching on linen, and get some idea of whether this is a thread you'd like to try.  Mary promises more information on Eco Vita later.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/02/preliminary-stitching-on-a-wee-wool-project.html

Frankly, I love Appleton's crewel, so "cranky" isn't a term I'd apply to it.  But everyone has a different take on threads.  A lot depends on what you are stitching with it.  I think Eco Vita would make a lovely belt in muted colors, maybe something with Medieval animals and motifs on it.

By the way, DMC has a short article about how to use Eco Vita on their website.

https://www.dmc.com/US/en/eco-vita-360?utm_source=Commonthread+Masterlist&utm_campaign=f47c5679d4-manual_weekly_Eco_Vita_Free_P_US_24_02_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3a652561da-f47c5679d4-82831385&ct=t(manual_weekly_Eco_Vita_Free_P_US_24_02_18)&mc_cid=f47c5679d4&mc_eid=f7c1b12c64

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hot Wire Renamed Wired Braid

I just realized that Kreinik has renamed their Hot Wire.  It's now Wired Braid.

https://123stitch.com/Kreinik-Thread-Wired-Braid

Think size 16 braid with a wire inside.  This stuff is great couched as edging for flowers, lettering, bows, anything where you need some dimension and stiffness.  

It comes in eighteen colors.

https://www.kreinik.com/store/Wired-Braid.html

You can substitute it for DMC's memory thread, although Kreinik of course is metallic, not covered in cotton floss.  My personal opinion is that the Wired Braid is a tiny bit fatter than memory thread, which might be a consideration.

https://www.kreinik.com/store/memory-thread-to-kreinik-wired-braid-conversion.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Custom Monograms

The Wool and The Floss has teamed up with Taylor Studios to offer custom monograms, available charted or as a painted name tag.  It takes about six weeks to get your digital download chart since each is custom and there is a line of folks waiting.

https://woolfloss.com/search?q=Taylor+studios

Of course there are tons of free alphabets online but if you want something classic and easy, this might be a good option for you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Tissue Box from a Brick Cover

Lycette Designs shows off one of their brick cover canvases creatively turned into a tissue box.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ScqUos1Rw/

Her customer Rudy just drew a 3x1 inch rectangle in the middle of the top and didn't stitch that.  The finisher did the rest.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 14, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Decorating the Tree with Kreinik

This cute little video from Mopsey Designs shows how to decorate a Christmas tree on needlepoint canvas with Kreinik's Micro Ice Chenille.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3QcTO2L5d_/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 14, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Heart Diagrams for Valentine's Day

Ridgewood Needlepoint celebrated Valentine's Day 2024 with diagrams for a section of heart-shaped stitches.  There are spot motifs and backgrounds, both open and full coverage.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/happy-valentines-day/

Thanks, Ridgewood!  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 14, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Planet Earth Sling Purses

Stitch by Stitch has a new exclusive line of phone sling purses made by Planet Earth.   The little purses are self-finishing with room for a 3x3 inch square needlepoint design.  They have two sections, one with room for the large iPhone and glasses, the other with credit card slots and room for keys.  They come in black or blue --both with silver hardware- or tan with gold hardware.

https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/products/mohonk-trunk-planet-earth-sling-black-silver

https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/products/mohonk-trunk-planet-earth-sling-swell-silver

https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/products/mohonk-trunk-planet-earth-sling-tan-gold

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Barbara Elmore Paintings

Barbara Elmore is starting to paint some of her needlepoint designs on board or paper.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=7635436556467803&set=a.626139447397584

She's just started but you can watch her work and buy finished pieces on her Barbara Elmore Designs Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/barbaraelmoredesigns

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 12, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fireside Stitchery Has a New Website!

Fireside Stitchery has a new website!  It's fun to explore.  They aren't kidding about their thread inventory, by the way--it's huge!  They also carry size 15 Delica beads, which can be hard to find, and blank canvas of all types.

https://firesidestitchery.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 12, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Copyright Thief Steals from Anne Fisher Needlepoint

A sharp-eyed shop owner noticed a fake Anne Fisher canvas and alerted the artist, who is understandably upset.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3-8pUKv2yo/

Remember, every time you buy a canvas of a sports or fashion logo, that is of a famous person, that shows a food label, copies a book cover exactly, or shows a movie, cartoon or tv show character, you are buying stolen property unless the needlepoint designer has arranged to pay a fee to the design owner to use their work.

If the original work has been licensed, the needlepoint canvas will state that.

There are so many wonderful original works of art on needlepoint canvas, it's a slap in the face to those artists if you continue to buy stuff that rips off another artist, a company or a sports team.  If you notice something that seems wrong, ask your shop or alert the designer.  

And never ever buy a copyright violation. If these thieves didn't make money off stolen goods, they'd stop ripping off the owners of the copyright.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 2, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Acrylic Inside and Out

I recently revisited Island House Needlepoint's website, just to wander around, after NJNA mentioned their unique laying tools.  Island House is a finisher but the owner is an engineer who also designs some very interesting tools.  I discovered they use both acrylic forms inside your ornament, and for trays and such to insert your work.

https://islandhouseneedlepoint.com/acrylic-finshing-needlepoint/

That is truly unique.  They also sell laser cut cardboard forms for finishing (look under Shop/All Products) and acrylic templates for those who would like to use them for marking out the margins of background.

https://islandhouseneedlepoint.com/product-category/1-templates/

The Wool and the Floss also sells acrylic template sets. These have center lines to aid positioning just like the ones Island House sells.  Neither template type is meant to replace acid free board for the insides of needlepoint ornaments and such, however.  I think they might be a little thinner, but that's just a guess from studying the pictures.

https://woolfloss.com/search?q=templates

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 11, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Compensate

Unless you are doing needlepoint in all tent stitches, sooner or later you'll have to adjust your stitch at the edge of an area.  Many people find this compensation confusing, so I thought I'd assemble all the great minds who've given us help on compensation in one place.  Read through the links to find the article that makes the most sense to you.

Ruth Schmuff makes compensation look easy in this article about flower stitches.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2017/03/compensation-games-2/

Sandy Arthur takes an analytical approach in this "Tips to Treasure" article at the bottom of her blog.

https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2017/08/classes-as-we-prepare-to-post-upcoming.html

Abigail Cecile just places her needle in the hole she should go if the area hadn't been cut off, then backs up into the correct area.  She's doing what Sandy does, just with less thinking.  

https://www.abigailcecile.com/pages/how-to-compensate

Amy Bunger taught Steph to cover her stitch diagram with a sticky note to figure out what to do.

http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2020/06/tricks-i-learned-from-amy-bunger.html

Besides Amy's paper cover trick over the diagram, Needlepoint.com uses what they call ghost stitches.  Ghost stitches are a thin thread in a contrasting color stitched over the area where the compensation occurs.  Because the thread is thin, you can see the paint underneath.  This helps you figure out how to compensate the stitch at the edge of an area.  Take a photo, rip out the ghost stitches and using the photo as a guide, stitch with the usual thread with the stitch truncated to fit.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/tips-tricks-of-compensating-stitches

Melita takes photos of an area when she's trying to figure out compensation that looks good to her.  She uses the photo to diagram the stitch she's trying to adjust.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/01/31/orchid-and-bamboo/

Are you a visual learner?  This article and video on compensation by Unwind Studio may help.

https://www.unwind.studio/blogs/unwind-studio-blog/how-to-do-compensation-stitches?_pos=1&_sid=8741d4daa&_ss=r

If you really need more help, Susan Sturgeon Roberts' little book, Compensation 101: The Art of Partial Stitches for Needlepoint, may be useful.

https://www.needlepointteacher.com/books-by-susan/compensation-101-the-art-of-partial-stitches-for-needlepoint/

It's a Kindle book, available from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Compensation-101-Partial-Stitches-Needlepoint-ebook/dp/B01MSDEBQ4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HZU6P0M4TRX9&keywords=compensation+101&qid=1707144455&sprefix=compensation+10%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.