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.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-208/

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.

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.)

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2026/04/02/stitch-by-stitch-mohonk-retreat/

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.

Breaking News: Labors of Love Needlepoint Shop Moving

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!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1468311418312235

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.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/03/30/ms-canvashouse-in-lexington-ky/

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.

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.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-207/

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/915441187947520

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.

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.  

https://stitch-stash.com/collections/silky-thread

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.

Why Is Tent Stitch Called Tent Stitch?

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

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-tent-stitch-fun-facts

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!

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/04/05/poppy-monk-opens-the-door-to-needlepoint/

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.

"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.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/04/these-two-are-up-to-something/

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.

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--

https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/taylor-swift-made-needlepoint-ed-sheeran-34957078

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.