Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Sharon's Bear

Sharon Wollman of SM Wollman Designs just stitched the cutest fluffy bear ever.

She used a knitting yarn called Teddy which she couched into place.   Shop around for Teddy as the shipping can cost as much as the skein of fuzzy stuff.  (Check out the other fuzzy knitting yarns such as Fur Lux, Couture, and Curly featured at the bottom of this page.)

Guess it's time to visit the knitting emporiums again, folks!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 27, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 29, 2026

Oz Goes to Florida

Clare of Oz Needle and Thread went to the Spring trade show in Orlando and had a blast!  If you are curious about what goes on at the trade shows, she talks about what she saw and did in these short Instagram videos.




Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 25, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Corduroy Stitch

Poppy Monk highlights corduroy stitch, which is perfect for backgrounds and clothing.  It makes good walls, too, especially if you have paneling.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 24, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Wicker Stitch for the Win

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's blog has chosen to highlight one of my favorite stitches for texture and backgrounds this month--wicker stitch.  You may know it as woven stitch.  It's a very pretty stitch and can be worked in all types of threads, from twisted perles to flat strands of silk.  It is especially beautiful in silk flosses if it is laid carefully but it makes a quick and easy background in perle cotton or crewel wool as well.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 15. 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 26, 2026

How Did Meredith Start on the Road to Needlepoint Stardom?

Want to hear how Meredith Willett of M's Canvashouse (and the Meredith Collection of canvases and needle minders) got into needlepoint?  Watch this--

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 16, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Needlepoint Academy

Third Coast Stitches has posted a thirty day short video series about needlepoint geared toward beginners that they call Needlepoint Academy.  It covers the basics and is also a good refresher for those of us who have been stitching since dinosaurs roamed the earth.  You can visit Needlepoint Academy here and start watching each lesson.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 21, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Create Spring Lollipop Garden (Tamara Abdee)

Melita is taking Tamara Abdee's silk ribbon embroidery class called "Spring Lollipop Garden."



Doesn't that look like FUN?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright APril 20, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Scam Artists Target Needlepoint

I don't suppose we should be surprised since needlepoint is quite popular these days, but scams pretending to sell needlepoint canvases are surfacing.  The latest involves the Pippa Fraumeni "Summer" pillows that sold out as soon as they were available.

I'm sure this will happen again, especially with all the new artists, many of whom sell via Etsy or brand new websites, and who are having trouble getting many of their designs from the painting services.  Their canvases will be limited, making stitchers less cautious when they spot what seems like a good deal.

Make sure any private sale is from someone reputable who can send you a dated photo of the canvas.  If you are buying from an eBay seller, check the number of their sales and their reviews.  If they are brand new, don't buy from them.  If the seller is on Etsy, read their reviews and make sure you don't buy from a brand new Etsy shop.

Anything that seems to be too good to be true is almost certainly NOT true.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 23, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: More ColorSpun Details

The Needlepointer in Sacramento, CA is selling a new thread line called ColorSpun. It is made in China.  

The Needlepointer sent out an e-newsletter describing the different types of ColorSpun.  I will quote it here--

ColorSpun Stellar - brilliant metallic shimmer, best for 18 count, light coverage 13 count - 10 yards 100% polyester

ColorSpun Feather - 10 yards of "delicate silk ply" that works on both 13 and 18 count

ColorSpun Caress - 50/50 silk and cashmere blend, great for clothing and animals, works on 13 and 18 count - 10 yards on card

ColorSpun Serene - 100% Tencel, which is reconstituted cellulose fibers from eucalyptus trees - best for 18 count - 10 yards on card 

ColorSpun Etheral - silk/Tencil blend, 40% silk, 60% Tencil - plied thread that works on 13 and 18 count - softer look than Feather

UPDATE:  ColorSpun has added Aurora to their line.  It looks like tinsel and is 100% polyester.  There are 10 yards on a card.  The Needlepointer recommends one strand on 18 count and two strands on 13 count.  It is a bit like Rainbow Gallery's Arctic Rays but the tinsel isn't as closely packed.

I haven't seen any of this in person.  If you have stitched with it, let us know what you think.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 20, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 22, 2026

New Stitch Monday Talks Water Stitches

Stephanie at Ridgewood talks water stitches for this week's New Stitch Monday posting.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 22, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Darning Stitches, Diagrams and Book Recommendations

Poppy Monk talks darning stitches in their latest article and recommends SharonG's book, It's About Darn Time, for diagrams of these stitches.

If you can find SuZy Murphy's Suzy's Darn Stitches, it has a ton of darning stitch diagrams.

Many books by Ruth Schmuff, Brenda Hart, and Mary Legallet have sections that are all about darning stitches, so check the books you own to see if you can find a chapter about these great background stitches.  Mary Legallet has some tips for you if you try to use them here--

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 21, 2026

New Versions of iStitches

Ruth Schmuff's five volumes of the iStitches books have been rebuilt for the modern Apple device.

The app and stitches are the same (if you have the original iStitches volumes in digital form, don't worry--they still work just fine).  But the new and improved versions have new features such as Favorites and Folders, better navigation and search functions.  There is even a Master Index so you can find that favorite stitch in the volume where it is located.

You can read more about the newest version of the iStitches volumes here.

If you aren't a fan of digital books or are Android only, don't worry.  You can buy any of the five regular Stitches volumes in a travel friendly size of 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches.





Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 12, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 20, 2026

KC Needlepoint Talks Threads

KC Needlepoint talks about various types of threads and where they work especially well in needlepoint.  It's interesting to think about the threads we like to use the most and consider branching out into other types.  Love them or hate them, threads are a fascinating study.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 19, 2026

NJNA in June 2026 UPDATED

New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG has posted their mid-June report.  There is ANG news, news of retreats, classes, app updates, clubs, System Four news and more.

Check back at the end of the month for their update.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 
nd at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 14, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Using Radiance: The Movie

Vicky at The Stitching Fox demonstrates how to use beeswax on Radiance tails, and tells us the thread spools have a pop top just like Kreinik.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 15, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Threadaholic Alert: Starry and Soie Tissee Metal

Stitch-Stash shows off a new thread called Starry on their Instagram.

Patti says Starry is an overdyed wool with a touch of silver mixed in that is for 13 count needlepoint canvas.  The label says it is 75% super washed Merino wool, 20% nylon, and 5% silver.  There are 43 yards in a skein.  The thread is from Moondrake Company, which is a knitting fiber distributor.  You can see the available colors and a closeup of the thread on the Stitch-Stash website.

Emily's Stitchery shows off Silk Road Fiber's brand new Soie Tissee Metal.  It's so new, it isn't even on the Silk Road Fiber's website yet.  Apparently it is silk with a strand of gold, silver or white metallic woven in.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 29, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved. 

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

New Stitch Monday's Mahjong Sign

Ridgewood Needlepoint's "New Stitch Monday" series is tackling a mahjong sign.  First, Stephanie worked the background around the word and then beaded the letters.  (This is a 13 count design, by the way.)

Now for the backgrounds behind the N, S. E and W.

The tile with two flowers is done. It's quite pretty.  I like fly stitch for leaves.

Pink dragons are the cutest!  And Stephanie's right--Baroque Silk is a great thread.

Now we move on to the green dragons.

The final design is the joker.  Of course the different blocks repeat so she has to finish all of them before framing.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Advice for Teaching Needlepoint to Kids

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has some fabulous advise for those who plan to teach needlepoint to kids this summer.  She lays out the benefits, strategies for teaching, and tips to make it more interesting to children.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 24, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Cases for Your Needlepoint Stockings

The Needle House in Houston, TX will stock Stocking Cases.  If you have a lot of precious needlepoint stockings, you'll want to see these!  They are made of vegan leather,  hold two stockings each, and are lined with velveteen.  

Apparently Victoria Whitson is the distributor.  It is possible that the velveteen Stocking Valet can be purchased separately if you have more than a few stockings to store.  Ask your favorite shop to check on this for you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 9, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 12, 2026

Hand and Lock Goldwork Video Tutorials

I've just discovered that Hand and Lock, the UK specialist embroidery company, is posting goldwork tutorials on their YouTube channel.

If you want to brush up your goldwork techniques or just are curious, these folks know all there is to know about stitch with metal threads.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Thread Organization Apps UPDATED

There was a recent discussion on Facebook about apps you can use to organize your threads.  Here is everything folks mentioned plus items I found through online research.  I haven't tried any of these.

People have used XStitch for years even though it was created for cross stitchers.  It has lots of threads in the program.  Available for iOS and Android.

StitchLog - project tracker and thread organizer - currently in beta

Threadalog - thread and bead organization tool; only for Apple devices, available at the Apple store and at

Pointed Needle - also called Pointed! - available for iPad and iPhone only through the Apple store; requires iOS 26.0 or later

Thready - only for iPhone

Needlentory - Apple devices only?  (in app purchases)

UPDATE:  Stitched with Ellen on Instagram looked at StitchPoint (free) and theNDLPTapp (costs $4.99/month) and decided on NDLPT because it allows you to scan your thread instead of typing in the information and also lets you count streter bars, magnets, and other project supplies.  StitchPoint is available for both iOS and Android but theNDLPTapp seems to be on iOS only.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 7, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

New Stitch Monday Shows Simple Decorative Stitches

Stephanie at Ridgewood dedicated this week's New Stitch Monday to simple decorative stitches, perfect for those who have mastered tent stitch and want to try something a bit fancier that isn't hard.  Mosaic stitch and cashmere stitch are perfect starter stitches when you are branching out.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Mohonk Retreat Report

Stitch by Stitch Larchmont just finished their annual shop retreat at Mohonk and of course members of NJNA went.  (Make sure you use the right side arrow to see all the photos in each set.)

Spoiler:  Everyone had a great time!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 3, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 8, 2026

Breaking News: Labors of Love Needlepoint Shop Moving UPDATED

Mark just announced that the Labors of Love shop in Atlanta is moving a short distance away this summer, probably late July/early August, 2026.  The new location is close to the current shop but is double the space.  They will have to close for a couple of days to move everything and unpack, but this will give them room for more threads, classes, canvases--and fun!

UPDATE:  Finishing and special orders won't be impacted by The Move.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Touring M's Canvashouse (Lexington, KY)

Melita visited M's Canvashouse in Lexington, Kentucky and discovered more beads and sequins in one place than she's ever seen.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 7, 2026

New Stitch Monday Makes Snowballs

It's funny that this will post in June when cold weather is just a memory, but Ridgewood has created snowballs for a background in their latest New Stitch Monday posting.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Spellbound Stitchery Gets Real About Propelling a Business Forward

Spellbound Stitchery talks about growing pains once a new designer launches their business and then needs funding to make it grow more.

Small business owners are real heroes in my book.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 5, 2026

Removing Creases from Needlepoint Canvas: The Movie

Penny Linn has posted a video on their Facebook page explaining how to get creases out of needlepoint canvas.

To summarize for those who don't have a FB account, get a clean white towel, put the canvas down on top of the towel near an edge, then fold over the towel to make a sandwich of towel-canvas-towel.  Use an iron on the cotton/wool setting and press down on the towel.  Go over the entire canvas area with the iron.  You may have to do this several times.  They don't mention using steam, but you can, although it softens the canvas threads slightly so the piece is no longer quite as stiff.  Probably better to just use pretty high heat on your iron.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Threadaholic Alert: Silky Thread

Stitch-Stash is now stocking a new silk fiber called Silky Thread from Moon Drake and Company.  Here are the colors available.  There are 26 yards to a skein.  This is mulberry silk, which I think means the silkworms are fed exclusively on mulberry tree leaves.  

The thread looks like it is a loose twist meant to be used as a single strand.  Ask Stitch-Stash for specifics before you order.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 1, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Why Is Tent Stitch Called Tent Stitch?

Poppy Monk tries to get to the bottom of why tent stitches are called--tent stitches.

By the way, if you are intrigued by the essays that Poppy Monk does on their website, listen to the interview with their founder, Brenda Stimpson on Fiber Talk.  It's fascinating!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 29, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

"Friends,"Johanna Virtanen's Mystery Class

"Friends" by Johanna Virtanen is Bedecked and Beadazzled's Mystery class for Summer 2026. What do you think is going on between the cat and the bird?!  Ruth will gradually Reveal All and I'll update this mystery class as she does.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 1, 2026

Does Taylor Swift Needlepoint? A Mystery



"Evermore" by Bexley Needlepoint via Etsy

Does Taylor Swift needlepoint?  I've been pondering this question today.  I cannot find any direct evidence for her being a needlepointer except for this--

If you look carefully at the framed needlework, it appears to be embroidery. It's fitted smoothly in a hoop, which is difficult to do with needlepoint canvas.  The slightly frayed edge of the ground fabric doesn't look like needlepoint canvas to me, either.  Do you suppose it's a case of folks who wouldn't recognize needlepoint if they fell over it calling what we do "knitting" again?  Except this time it's hand embroidery being mislabeled as needlepoint?

Only Taylor Swift knows for sure.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 27, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.