Which Way is Up? Patricia Knows!

Patricia Sone explains why having the selvedge edge on the right or left side as you stitch is important in this short video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DS0i41cgR8P/

What about when the selvage edge is cut off or the shop covered the edges with tape?  Then I look for the designer's logo and design numbers, which are usually at the bottom.  Make sure those are on the bottom when you are stitching (unless of course you have to turn the canvas to reach) and you should be ok.  

Is this crucial?  It probably isn't but it'll help keep your canvas from distorting if you are using stitches that tend to pull the canvas into a parallellogram.  Every little bit helps, right?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 29, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Talk Trianglepoint

Melita Glavin explores trianglepoint in the latest issue of Needle Pointers magazine.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/11/14/trianglepoint-in-timeless-treasures-from-the-archives-in-the-november-december-2025-issue-of-needle-pointers-magazine-with-persian-carpet-knots-tissue-box/

Sherlee Lantz's book on this stitch was really popular in the late 1970s.  You can browse a copy through the Internet Archive, or buy your own copy through eBay.

https://archive.org/details/trianglepoint0000lant

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 15, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Nordic Gnome (Kurdy Biggs)

Brenda's back from her holidays and stitching Kurdy Biggs' "Nordic Gnome."

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/12/nordic-gnome-122725.html

And he's nearly done!

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2026/01/nordic-gnome-updated-1726.html

Sadly, this adorable piece is a class only at this time but there's plenty of charts on the Threedles website to enchant you.

https://threedles.com/about/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitchery Under Southern Skies

Melita has added a new project book to her library:  "Stitchery Under Southern Skies" by Mary Anderson and Debbie Deem.  It's spiral bound and features eleven needlepoint projects from various authors.  It also has some fascinating tips from the talented authors.  I am eagerly awaiting Melita trying projects from this booklet which is new to me.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/26/books-in-my-library-stitchery-under-southern-skies-by-mary-anderson-and-debbie-deem/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 27, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ribbon Hearts (Michele Roberts)

Melita stitched some of Michele Robert's ribbon heart designs for the Festival of Trees in New Jersey.  These were published in ANG's magazine, Needle Pointers, and various heart designs are listed in the October/November 2025 issue if you are interested and a member of ANG.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/15/ribbon-hearts-at-the-festival-of-trees-in-nj/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 16, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Angels Website Now Live!

The Needlepoint Angels website is now live!  What is Needlepoint Angels, you ask?  It's a charity to help needlepointers in need.  You can donate cash or you can donate stash.  All donations are either given to a stitch who has lost their stash in a disaster or sold in the Needlepoint Angels website and the cash used to replace a project that was lost.  

https://www.needlepointangels.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching with Both Hands: The Movie

Spellbound Stitchery demonstrates stitching with both hands.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSC66M4jc1t/

Note that this has to be done with either a floor frame or with a frame weight or clamps holding your frame on the edge of a table so enough sticks out for you to stitch.  Tony Minieri cautions stitchers to not touch their stitching with their hands as well.  In other words, it takes some practice but once you get used to it, your speed is much faster.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 19, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sheena!

Last summer Sheena James died after a long illness, but thanks to the generousity of her family, her wonderful stitch diagrams will live on in a new blog called Sheena's Sweet Stitches Diagrammed. 

https://sheenassweetstitchesdiagrammed.blogspot.com/

Every Saturday one of Sheena's fabulous stitch diagrams will be posted at the new blog.  Eventually they will be catagorized by type (stitches for hearts, grass, leaves, backgrounds, clothing, etc.) once I have enough items posted to create tabs for each stitch.  You are welcome to use the stitch for your own personal projects but remember to credit Sheena when you do.  She may be stitching away in heaven, but her copyright lives on.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sheena!  Miss you! 💙💚💛💜💗

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Corbet Ties a Bow

Mary Corbet reminds us of her bow-tying tutorial.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2025/12/a-trick-you-should-know-for-tying-a-bow.html

Here's the direct link to Mary's tutorial.  Note she uses a hair pick instead of a fork, but all you need is an even number of tines on either side of a central space.  It's helpful to choose an implement the width of the bow you are planning, though.  

https://www.needlenthread.com/2022/12/how-to-make-small-consistent-bows-give-away-winner.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 18, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Christmas Nobuko Ball

Melita is planning to stitch this little ornament using all Nobuko stitch.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/17/christmas-nobuko-ball/

It looks pretty good with the Nobuko stitch directional changes.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/07/christmas-nobuko-ball-2/

It's done and made up into an ornament.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/25/christmas-nobuko-ball-finished/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 17, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Attaching Spangles: The Movie

Tricia Nguyen demonstrates how traditional spangles are attached to embroidery in this video done for the Met.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfULhn92lIU

These methods work for attaching sequins as well as the traditional metal spangles used for historical embroidery.  You can buy traditional spangles from Tricia's shop, Thistle Threads, but be aware that the available stock varies as these are made by hand for Tricia's classes on historical embroidery.

https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/products/gilt-spangles?_pos=3&_psq=spangles&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=41890206679223

https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/products/die-stamped-gilt-spangles?_pos=2&_psq=spangles&_ss=e&_v=1.0

https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/collections/accessories/products/bobbin-lace-spangles

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 17, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Essential Finishing Tools and Materials

Ari shows us her favorite and most used finishing items.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSGiJCtjX2X/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 16, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: New Book from Meredith!

Meredith Willet has a new book coming out in March!  A simplified version called "Needlepoint Quick Guide" is available at her shop, M's Canvashouse, right now.

https://www.facebook.com/mscanvashouselexington/posts/pfbid02YppRWRfvBgK8FWWcDU1BPphnqhdJu1S7wexhDeaXtrH2UPqfhSqcggLrQQX6tZPzl

https://www.mscanvashouse.com/shop/c/p/Needlepoint-Quick-Guide-x98973911.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 9, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bargello Tuck: The Movie

The Wool and the Floss demonstrates how to use the Bargello Tuck stitch to secure slippery threads such as Neon Rays on the back of your canvas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKamiwmx6Vp/

If you prefer written instructions, Louise's Needlework has a nice explanation on their Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-aBXqAtyXU/?g=5&img_index=3

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fiber Talk Canvas: A New Needlepoint Series on Counted Canvaswork

Gary, Beth and Cindy have started a new podcast exclusively about counted canvaswork as part of Fiber Talk.  The third Wednesday of each month they will talk about stitching on blank canvas from a chart.  If you ever wanted to learn more about this type of needlepoint, it's a fun way to dip your toe into things.  The second episode should be out today but the January episode is ready for your listening pleasure.  (Or you can watch on YouTube, just follow the link.)

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/01/21/fiber-talk-canvas-a-new-needlepoint-series/

They've added two videos demonstrating putting canvas on stretcher bars.  You can see those here.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/02/04/mounting-needlepoint-canvas-on-stretcher-bars/

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/02/10/canvas-thanks-to-donna-gotts-for-offering-stretcher-bar-fine-points/

The second full episode of counted canvaswork covers the availability of blank canvas, the cost of threads, how to read a counted chart and shows the various laying tools that are available and how to use them.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/02/18/canvas-2-reading-charts-and-using-laying-tools/

By the way, Fiber Talk has just done an interview with the counted canvaswork designer Kathy Rees of Needle Delights, so if you want to get to know one of the talented people who designs needlepoint charts, you can listen here.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/02/01/exploring-the-counted-canvas-world-of-kathy-rees/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 23, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Stitching with Radiance Metallic

The Wool and The Floss posted a video showing how to handle the untwisted ends of Radiance Metallic.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1179195107459802

If you can't see this because you don't have a Facebook account, Melissa says you can just ignore the fraying and cut off the ends, use Fray Check or fingernail polish dabbed on the end to seal it, or use the hot tip of a thread zapper to cauterize and seal the thread.

She also mentions that metallic threads have no "give" so you need to use stretcher bars for your piece since they don't block back into shape.  This is true for all metallic threads, by the way, not just Radiance.

By the way, Melita played around a bit with Radiance she had left over from an ANG Seminar class she took.  She doesn't say what size Radiance she used but I'm guess it's Radiance 18, not Radiance Mini (which is the smaller size).  By the way, I love stitching with Accentuate!  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/28/radiance-metallics-by-meredith-willett-collection/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

From Theatre to Counted Canvaswork

Wendy Moore's "Convergence"

Fiber Talk interviews Wendy Moore, teacher and designer of counted canvaswork, who has traveled a totally different road to needlepoint!

https://wetalkfiber.com/2025/12/14/wendy-moores-counted-canvas-artwork/

Wendy doesn't have a website but you can see some of her lovely designs at these links--

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/25288973604086459/

https://www.cyberpointers.org/?page_id=10618

https://www.embroideryteachers.com/join-us/moore-wendy/

https://crvc-ega.org/programs/images/Wendy%20Moore%20class%20Moon%20on%20the%20Water.pdf

This last link has another nice interview with lots of good photos of Wendy's work.

https://egausa.org/community-spotlight-on-wendy-moore-rennies-rose-garden/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 14, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Unique Finishing Idea from Lynn Mason

Lynn Mason, when she's not coming up with great designs for Needlepoint by Sharese, is busy coming up with great finishing ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/25265493413101145/

Basically she has finished these three ornaments with fronts like traditional ornaments, glues them to decorative plate centers with E300 glue, then trims.  Since not everyone has a Facebook account, here is one of Lynn's finished plates.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1826473020/cardinal-bells-ornament?ref=shop_home_active_1&sca=1&sts=1&logging_key=5dd8743f2a4078b04fd53ac98ddcaf6d99db6153%3A1826473020

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 12, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fleurs/Being Human (Kimberly)

"Fleurs" --also known as "Being Human"-- is the latest Kimberly class available only at Bedecked and Beadazzled in late February and early March 2016.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/in-stock-mahjong/products/mahjong-angel-canvas

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Rehoming Ann Hanson's Limited Edition Santas

Every year Ann Hanson does a limited edition Santa for Barbara's Needlepoint.  They are small in number and highly sought after.  You can see a typical Ann Hanson Santa (not a limited edition one which tend to be larger and much more detailed) on the Barbara's Needlepoint website at the link below.  The 2025 Limited Edition Santa is also visible on this page lower down in the You Might Also Like section.

https://www.barbarasneedlepoint.com/products/ann-hanson-small-cyclamen-santa

Barbara's Needlepoint gets a lot of inquiries about finding one of these Limited Edition Santas from previous years, so if you or a family member has one of the limited edition Santas and you know it's not going ot be stitched, talk to Barbara's Needlepoint who can help you with a valuation of your Santa, they'll discuss a buy-back or help you get in contact with someone looking for that particular Santa.

After all, Santa needs a good home where he'll be stitched and enjoyed each holiday season, so help Barbara's customers out if you can.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 10, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Stitch at a Time, by Stephanie Chase

"A Stitch at a Time" is now available from your favorite shop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DP83nPRkci-/

This is the new book by teacher and stitch guide writer Stephanie Chase.  I've not seen it myself but it appears to mix stitch diagrams with stitched examples in color with tutorials to make sure you master the stitch easily.  There are thread tips and ideas where to use the stitches inside, too.  This little movie on Stephanie's website gives you a glimpse inside the book.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0aa3a2_49c93fa3068b4ac987b2f326f678fca5/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 9, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Stitching with Radiance Metallic

The Wool and The Floss just posted another video, this time of Meredith Willett who know know as a teacher, designer, finisher, shop owner, and now a thread manufacturer.  In the video Meredith talks about using beeswax to keep Radiance from unraveling and how to strip the plies and recombine them to use just like a floss.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/4188847241443688

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.