Why Not Have A Go?

Appletons has a new designer-David Smith.  He does lovely graphic patterns that are a delight.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Uyb6ANQkx/?g=5&img_index=1

Here are his currently available tapestry kits.

https://www.appletons.org.uk/?s=David+smith&post_type=product&dgwt_wcas=1

Here's a bit about David and how he started designing needlepoint.

https://www.appletons.org.uk/david-smith/

http://www.davidsmith-tapestry.co.uk/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

From Sheep to Appletons Wool: The Movies

Appletons Wool has posted two videos on their Instagram account showing how sheep are sheered, the wool processed into thread and then dyed to make Appleton tapestry and crewel wools.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-vSWYdoIZy/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Appleton Teaches Corduroy Stitch

Appleton Wool's Instagram video demonstrates corduroy stitch.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C53SEjXob3S/

As a bonus for those who love Bargello designs, Appleton's also posted a series of photos of patterns done in their lovely wools.  Click the right side arrow (the one inside the photo, not outside the text box) to see them all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5lqKpbNOsO/?g=5&img_index=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: A Comparison of Crewel Wools WITH MORE

Mary Corbet has started a series about crewel-weight embroidery wool.  She's starting out by comparing what Appleton crewel, Fine d'Aubusson wool, Heathway, and DMC's Eco Vita are like when just cut from their skeins.  You'll see how thick they are, learn the number of colors and shades available from each brand, and compare prices for each.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/03/crewel-threads-a-close-look-at-wool-embroidery-threads.html

Here's how each of the four stitch up.  Remember, the examples are done on cross stitch fabric, so what you get on needlepoint canvas will be a bit different.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/03/wool-embroidery-threads-stitched-news.html

Next, Mary uses her four wools in long and short and satin stitch so you can see how they look when stitched in these filling stitches.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/03/wool-thread-comparisons-fillings.html

Mary is continuing her exploration of crewel wools with five more:  Bella Lusso (Fleur de Paris), Simply Wool (Gentle Arts), La Nollin (formerly Renaissance Dyeing), Overdyed Italian Wool (ThreadworX's overdyed Bella Lusso), and Array Wool (Zollie). Hang on!  It's going to be fun!

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/04/more-wools-for-crewel-embroidery.html

The next crewel weight wool Mary is exploring in depth is Array Wool from Zollie.  It's originally intended for weavers.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/04/wool-on-spools-array-wool-hooks-fillings.html

Mary continues to look at Array Wool, Bello Lusso, ThreadworX, Renaissance Dyeing, and Simply Wool brands of crewel wools.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/05/wool-comparisons-5-more-for-your-consideration.html

Next up, Mary introduces a lovely crewel wool from Australia's Gumnut Yarns.  I've been lucky enough to buy some of this and it's got lovely, lovely colors.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/05/delicious-colors-fibers-gumnut-yarns-up-close.html

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/06/gumnut-yarns-stitched.html

By the way, Mary's creating an article index so you can find all the crewel wool articles easier.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2024/04/wool-embroidery-threads-article-index.html

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.

British From Sheep to Needle: Fiber Talk Interview

Fiber Talk's latest interview is with the owner and manager of Appletons Wool, founded in 1835. You can hear about the transition from the ownership of the Appleton family, the challenge of replacing old machines, changing the labels from the old white to colorful maroon and grey, modernizing the running of the company, moving the company from London to outside Oxford, etc.  Then you can hear how this entirely British wool fiber is purchased from a wool merchant in Yorkshire, turned into yarns and sold to stitchers, not to mention how the pandemic and their tight supply chain has driven their business, and why they can no longer moth-proof their wools.  You'll learn which countries buy crewel wool and which buy tapestry wool.  And more!

https://wetalkfiber.com/2023/04/29/fiber-talk-with-di-caldron-and-debbie-obrien-appletons-wool/

You can browse the company's website, look at their wool crewel and tapestry threads (which you can buy directly from Appletons now as of a month ago) and check out their tapestry kit lines, here.

https://www.appletons.org.uk/

Appleton crewel is my absolutely favorite wool thread so I loved hearing about the company and how it works.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 7, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.