Rainbow Ribbons Pillow (Kam Wenzloff)

Melita and her Main Line Chapter of ANG stitched Kam Wenzloff's "Rainbow Ribbons" design as a chapter project.  Melita had hers finished into a pillow, which you can see here along with the other color ways ANG members came up with. Everyone used overdyes from Colour Complements (second link below).

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/02/11/rainbow-ribbons-pillow/

https://colourcomplements.com/

If you are tempted to try this, it was in the November/December 2019 issue of ANG's Needle Pointers magazine.  This is available to members only but you can often find copies for sale on eBay.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

No Tariff on Canadian Needlepoint Supplies (NJNA)

The latest newsletter from the New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of ANG is out.  The really important news is that if you buy needle art supplies from Canada, as long as you spend less than $800, tariffs don't apply!

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2025/03/09/whats-happening-at-njna-3-8-25/

That's great news if you are stocking up on threads or kits from Colour Complements.

https://colourcomplements.com/

The newsletter has plenty of ANG news, classes, new products and more.   As always, it's a fun read and informative, too.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Variegated Threads the DIY Way

Needlepoint.com has an interesting blog post about making your own variegated threads to create a unique custom look on a project.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/how-to-make-your-own-variegated-threads

Of course if you don't want to take this much trouble, Coloured Complements sells thread sample assortments with the overdyed colors coordinated for you.

https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/embroidery-sampler-thread-kits

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 28, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

In Praise of Overdyed Cotton Floss

Lorraine at Colour Complements in Canada has written a lovely little essay about hand dyed cotton floss.

https://colourcomplements.com/2024/02/the-benefits-of-using-hand-dyed-embroidery-floss.html#

If you are tempted, here is her shop. You can choose between cotton floss or size 5, 8 and 12 perle cottons.

https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/hand-dyed-perle-cotton-and-floss-vibrant-colours

She also does a "sampler" set of cotton flosses in various colors if you want to play.

https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/hand-dyed-embroidery-floss-samplers

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

New Sampler Thread Kits

Colour Complements is releasing new Sampler Thread Kits for Spring 2024.  Each selection includes a rayon metallic, a silk perle, two skeins of size 5 perle cotton, one skein of size 8 perle cotton, and a skein of floss, all dyed in CC's beautiful color range and chosen because the various colors work well together.  If you struggle to pull together color combinations or you are a threadaholic who just wants to try out new threads and colors, this is a $20 well spent.

https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/embroidery-sampler-thread-kits

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.

Gift Cards with Leaves

If you remember Kam Wenzloff's Leaf Wreath project featured in Needlepoint Now magazine, 

https://www.needlepointnow.com/needlepoint-now-stitch-club/

you might have decided that the finishing costs for each leaf were going to be too high to tackle this.  Colour Complements learned of a lady who had the idea of adding a background behind each leaf and using them as inserts in greeting cards.

https://colourcomplements.com/2024/01/highlighting-56-needlepoint-leaves-design.html

The blank cards come in various sizes so that the window opening can vary.  This website will give you some idea of what they are like.  Shop around as prices vary, although this place has several choices of window shapes and for card stock colors.  

https://www.stitchtastic.com/store/accessories-blank-cards

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Colour Complements Sale

Colour Complements is having a sale!  If you are a fan of overdyed cotton flosses and perles, time to stock up.  The sale is for individual skeins that Lorraine dyed too many of and for samples of coordinating colors that are odds and ends of inventory she wants to clear out.  It's a good time to experiment with color!

https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/sale

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 4, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Color Theory from Colour Complements

Colour Complements has started a series about color theory using their overdyed threads. 

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/using-colour-theory-for-needlework-projects.html

It's a fun way to learn about color, tint and shade.  What do they mean?  How do you apply color theory to your projects?  Lorraine will Tell All, so I'll update this article with her wisdom as she posts more.

This next article mixes cherry red with pinks.  It's really pretty!

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/cherry-red-embroidery-stitch-sample-feature.html

This article explains how to pick other threads to go with an overdye that is shades of just one color.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/playing-with-an-analagous-colour-palette.html

Lorraine talks about peach being a blend of orange, pink and cherry red, which helps pick colors to go with a peach overdye.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/creating-a-cross-stitch-design-using-peach-colour-inspiration.html

This month's essay talks about using value (lightness or darkness of a color) to work with pastels.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/pastel-colour-palette-feature.html

Here is a color combination everyone liked!  The second link is a design using it.  The third link show how you can make this pastel work in a much louder design.  Clever!

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/colour-combinations-using-a-harmonious-thread-palette.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/using-a-pastel-colour-palette-to-create-a-needlepoint-design.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/using-a-bold-colour-palette-like-colour-23.html

This palette is autumn-themed with plenty of ideas how to work with it.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/05/our-autumn-palette-including-colour-48.html

This time the color wheel chooses an unexpected pairing.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/05/using-different-colour-palette-combinations-in-your-project.html

The next color pairing is purple, navy and teal, a classic.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/06/one-of-our-popular-colour-combinations-colour-186.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 6, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Is 2023 the Year of the Gnome?

After I heard that ANG's going to publish six Marilyn Owen gnome designs in Needle Pointers in 2023, I started to wonder if this is going to be The Year of the Gnome.  Colour Complements is going to do thread kits for these designs, by the way.  You can see the first here.

https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/welcome-gnome-colour-complements

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/colourful-bargello-pattern-welcome-gnome-series.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/03/welcome-gnome-florentina.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/using-blue-and-orange-palette-for-dotti.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/06/bright-tropical-colour-palette-for-swirly-welcome-gnome.html

There are lots of gnome canvases available now.

https://familyartsneedlework.com/search?page=1&q=gnome

I know because I started looking when I also heard Needlepoint by Laura has new gnome designs.

https://www.stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/search-results?q=needlepoint+by+laura&type=products&collections=What%27s+New+2022&utm_campaign=fc06db20-426e-4a21-96d7-c0d4e92c5f56&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&cid=68c6d8c4-6311-4db7-a6af-6c56ebef78b3

Looks like it's going to be a good year for little guys with big noses and beards.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 1, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stained Glass Hearts

Colour Complements in Canada has a fun take on stained glass hearts that would be easy to copy.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/08/stained-glass.html

If you are making hearts for the Hearts for Hospice program and have a stash of overdyed threads you can dip into, give it a try.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 23, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Great Heart from Color Complements

Colour Complements has posted a lot of great heart designs on their blog.  Here's the latest--

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/03/squares-and-crosses-pattern-for-hearts-for-hospice.html

This is easy to create.  First draw a shape on your canvas.  It can be a heart, a square or rectangle, whatever you like.  Note that you'll have to compensate at the edges if you choose a heart or circle.  

Next do a vertical line down the middle made up of Smyrna crosses.  Each Smyrna cross shares holes with its neighbor.

https://pieceworkmagazine.com/a-stitch-in-time-smyrna-cross-stitch/

Now do a horizontal row down the middle with more Smyrna crosses.

The next step is to do a straight vertical stitch in a contrasting color to separate each Smyrna cross in the horizontal row from its neighbor.  Repeat these straight stitches but oriented horizontally with that same contrasting color for the row that runs vertically.  In other words, for the horizontal row, the separating stitches are vertical and for the vertical row, the separate stitches are horizontal.

Now you have your four quadrants which you will fill with Scotch stitches with two empty threads between each Scotch stitch.  Note that the model was stitched with an overdyed thread, which is how each Scotch stitch changes color.  Also note that each Scotch stitch changes direction compared to its neighbor. This website diagrams both slants for you.

https://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/scotch-stitch.html

The empty threads are covered with straight stitches over those two  empty threads between each Scotch stitch in the same color you used for the Smyrna crosses.  (The model used a metallic but you can use any thread you wish.). Note that the straight stitches are all vertical when you are working the uprights on either side of a Scotch stitch, but the straight stitches are horizontal when you are doing the tops and bottoms over each Scotch stitch.

The final touch is to do a cross stitch at each corner framing the Scotch stitches with a contrasting color. This diagram shows a cross stitch over two on linen but it works the same way on needlepoint canvas.

https://www.better-cross-stitch-patterns.com/over-two-threads.html

The number of plies of thread you use will vary according to the thread you choose.  Do a few test stitches in the margins of your canvas to see what covers well for you.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 23, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Asymmetrical Copper in Pinks

Colour Complements shows off one of Jeff Kulick's little designs in some of their pink overdyed threads.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/02/asymmetrical-copper-colours-78-79.html

"Asymmetrical Copper" was published in ANG's magazine, NeedlePointers, in the November/December 2021 issue.  If you are a fan of Jeff's work and are a member of ANG, it's a great way to use up stash threads and create a fun little color study.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 9, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Colorful Mittens! UPDATED

Colour Complements is starting a mittens series, with a free download of the pattern and diagrams of the stitches used.  Here is the download for the mitten outline.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/01/needlepoint-mitten-series.html

Lorraine's website has a section where all the mitten designs will live eventually.

https://colourcomplements.com/category/needlepoint/mittens

There will be a mitten (or two) each month.  You can use the overdyed threads that Colour Complements sells or just raid your stash.  Regardless, this is going to create a fun quick ornament for your Christmas tree or just to brighten your house all winter.  I'll update this with the new mitten patterns as they appear.

UPDATES:  These Bargello pattern mittens are really darling.  The pattern download is at the very end of the article.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/02/colourful-mittens-12-months-of-mittens.html

The green mitten looks so soft!  I didn't realize perle cotton could look this way with the right stitch.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/03/green-mitten-design-12-months-of-mittens.html

The star mitten is darling.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/04/a-look-at-our-star-mitten-12-months-of-mittens.html

The two diagonal patterns on this one look fabulous.  The small scale of diagonal brick at the cuff looks very fuzzy, just perfect to offset the Byzantine stitch on the body of the mitten.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/05/colourful-mitten-pattern-12-months-of-mittens-series.html

This one looks like winter to me and as a bonus, both stitches used are easy to do.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/06/using-an-alternating-mosaic-stitch-for-needlepoint.html

I am a big fan of PINK so I love this month's pink and yellow mitten.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/07/pink-mitten-12-months-of-mittens-series.html

If you love bright, bold color, this charmer is right up your alley.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/08/colourful-mitten-design.html

Who knew a  hexagon pattern would look so good on mittens?!

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/09/mosaic-hexagon-mitten-patterns.html

This one shows how an overdye really jazzes up a stitch.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/10/how-to-create-this-fall-themed-mitten-pattern.html

The snowflake mittens are adorable.

https://colourcomplements.com/2022/11/how-to-create-a-snowflake-stitch-pattern.html

The icy blues of this mitten are wonderful.  I normally use size 8 perle cotton on 18 count but I can see that the larger size 5 would make these mittens very plush and warm-looking.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/01/creating-this-blue-mitten-pattern-needlepoint-mittens.html

This fun mitten was done using one of Colour Complements' thread kits.  It's random Rhodes rounds and very cute.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/02/custom-mitten-thread-kit.html

I like the checkerboard cuff.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/03/creating-a-mitten-using-a-bold-colour-palette.html

This is a Bargello mitten.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/04/stitching-a-bargello-needlepoint-mitten.html

It's Winter in June with this cool blue mitten.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/06/using-a-cool-colour-combination-to-create-a-wintery-mitten.html

July 2023 has the "Candyland" mitten, full of happy colors.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/07/using-a-bold-palette-of-colour-for-our-12-months-of-mittens.html

The August mitten has an unusual color and stitch combination.  It looks fabulous!

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/08/using-unusual-stitch-combinations-to-create-a-mitten-design.html

This one's a reminder that colorful samplers can come shaped like mittens!

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/09/geometric-mitten-pattern-12-months-of-mittens.html

Since it's October, this is a Halloween mitten in purples and lavenders.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/10/creating-a-halloween-themed-mitten-12-months-of-mittens.html

The November mitten is in icy blues and wintergreens.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/11/using-ocean-inspired-colours-12-months-of-mittens.html

December brings the finale of the mittens, each wonderful in their own way, and all lessons in color.  It's nice to know that Colour Complements will be selling three new mitten PDF designs with thread kits in 2024 in case you need more mittens in your life.

https://colourcomplements.com/2023/12/easy-stitching-projects-with-our-12-months-of-mittens.html

For 2024, Colour Complements is going to do Mitten Kits, complete with downloadable PDF file charting the stitches and all the threads you need to do two mittens or maybe use the excess from one mitten in finishing.

https://colourcomplements.com/2024/01/introducing-circus-a-new-colourful-mitten-pattern.html#

https://colourcomplements.com/product-category/custom-thread-kits

https://colourcomplements.com/product/cozy-autumn-needlepoint-mitten-kit

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 31, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Design from Colour Complements

Colour Complements has a free stitch sampler for download called "Summer Stitch Sampler" and it's darling.

https://colourcomplements.com/2021/08/downloadable-needlepoint-summer-stitch-sampler-available.html

Of course they sell the threads to stitch it as you see it here, but you can substitute your own threads on scrap canvas and try your own colors.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 30, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Uses for a Small Heart

Color Complements has a great idea for small ornaments and hearts--put them on the front of a special card!

https://colourcomplements.com/2021/08/making-a-needlepoint-heart-greeting-card.html

I'm currently stitching a quite small heart that would make a lovely card ornamentation.  Plus, the trend for small 2x3 canvases means you have a source of tiny decorations for a special Christmas or birthday card.  The big box craft stores are good sources for blank card stock.

https://www.joann.com/paper-crafts-scrapbooking/card-making/blank-cards/#posY=2158

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 23, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Free Mini Sampler

Color Complements has a free mini sampler chart for download on their blog.  It looks like spring to me!

https://colourcomplements.com/2021/03/march-mini-sampler-complimentary-pattern.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 26, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Series of Monthly Mini Stitch Samplers

Colour Complements has started a series of monthly postings of tiny samplers using their threads.

https://colourcomplements.com/2021/01/mini-sampler-needlepoint-hand-dyed-threads.html

They will either tell you where to find the chart or post a stitch diagram.  You can use their threads, of course, or rummage in your stash as you stitch up a variety of new stitches.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 29, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cleopatria's Heart Explained (and UPDATED)

Colour Complements has a short article about "Cleopatria's Heart," a counted canvaswork project you'll see in the January/February 2021 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine.  The inspiration behind the various stitch elements is fun to read.

https://colourcomplements.com/2021/01/cleopatras-heart-needlepoint-now.html

Susan Harrington, the brains behind Dragonlady Canvasworks Designs, is the designer of this beauty and she happens to belong to the same guild as Lorraine, the owner of Colour Complements in Canada.  Colour Complements has a partial thread kit using Colour Complements overdyes if you want to stitch Cleopatria's Heart using the same colors as Susan did.

https://colourcomplements.com/product/cleopatras-heart-thread-kit

Susan doesn't have a website but you can see more of her work on her Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/dragonladycanvaswork/?__tn__=-UC*F

By the way, Needlepoint Now plans to publish the charts for two more hearts from Susan.  Stay tuned!

https://www.needlepointnow.com/sneak-peak-into-2021/

UPDATE:  Here is Susan's second heart, "Mardi Gras."

https://colourcomplements.com/2021/03/mardis-gras-needlepoint-heart.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 22, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pincushions and Needle Books

I love wool felt needle books, so I was very interested when Lorraine at Colour Complements highlighted those that Fiberluscious makes and sells on Etsy. 
https://colourcomplements.com/2020/08/wool-needle-case-with-hand-dyed-threads.html

Right now Jill's Etsy store only has pincushions for sale, but they come in five different styles and they are all charming—and all filled with emery to keep your needles sharp and rust free.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/fiberluscious?sort_order=date_desc

I hope by the time this publishes there will be needle books for sale again.  I just love needle books with pages of real wool felt to keep your needles in!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 17, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New DMC Inventory Sheets to Buy and Download

Stitch Palettes has a new inventory sheet download available called "Thread Inventory Color Chart."
https://stitchpalettes.com/downloads/thread-inventory-color-chart/

The inventory sheets are for DMC's cotton floss, as well as other thread lines they carry.  Each sheet has the printed color, color number, color name, a long space for a real thread sample you can attach, and a column for the number of skeins you have in your stash.  You can read more about it here in Colour Complements' review.
https://colourcomplements.com/2020/07/thread-inventory-colour-chart-stitch-palettes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 31, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.