French Knot Versus Colonial Knot

Ever wonder what the difference is between French knots and Colonial knots?  Or maybe you loathe making French knots and want an alternative?  Melita explains all here--

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/22/how-to-make-a-colonial-knot-versus-a-french-knot/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 23, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: The French Knot's New Owner

The French Knot in Fort Worth, Texas has a new owner!  Karen and Paula are retiring but they are leaving the shop in good hands--long time custom artist Leigh Pauling is taking over the store, with expert guidance from Karen and Paula.  

We wish everyone a fun time in retirement--Karen and Paula in their new adventure and Leigh after retiring from her teaching job to do needlepoint store ownership now.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Santas from Petei

Everyone who has stitched for a few years is familiar with Petei's Santas.  They are small, charming, and fun to stitch.  Petei has finally released new Santas--they are ornament sized portraits.  Here are the ones I've seen:

African Round

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=87904

Iceland Round

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=87903

Mongolian Round

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=87902

Netherlands Round

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=87901

Scandinavian Round

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=87900

Irish Round

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=87905

If you haven't seen the Petei Santas that Diana Bosworth stitched, here's the link.  Her guides are still available from The French Knot as far as I know.

https://www.thefrenchknot.com/petei-santas.htm

These and all of Petei's other designs are available from Painted Pony.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 15, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Needle Art Love Story, Chapter XI

Historic Fort Worth in Texas is sponsoring the 9th year of A Needle Art Love Story June 9-12.

https://historicfortworth.org/events-tours/na/

Aren't in Fort Worth?  This year Historic Fort Worth is offering tickets to a Zoom tour.  You can either take the tour June 11 as it happens, or view a recording later.  (The recording will be available for ticket holders to watch until December 31, 2022.). 

https://shop.historicfortworth.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NALS%5FVT

Want to pick up one of the heart fund raiser canvases available this year?  EyeCandy did the design.  These are available in the Fort Worth area.  I think the French Knot usually carries them (second link below).  They may also be for sale at Historic Fort Worth although they are not mentioned on their website.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/06/a-needle-art-love-story-chapter-9.html

https://www.thefrenchknot.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

The French Knot Has a New Website

The French Knot in Fort Worth, Texas, has a new website.  All the old favorites are there but now you can shop online.  Of particular interest is the Shop New Arrivals link on the home page.

https://www.thefrenchknot.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 24, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Petei Show

Stephanie is treating us to a show of Petei characters, mostly Santas. Are they not FAB?!!
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2015/12/petei-extravaganza.html

If you are in love with these --and who isn't?!-- The French Knot in Texas has a huge array of the Santas, most with a stitch guide from Diana Bosworth.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/x-petei.htm

Of course if you like doing your own thing, check with your favorite shop.  Most have a nice little stock of Petei characters.  Or you can browse Painted Pony's website (they distribute Petei) and choose the canvas or the set that amuses you most, then ask your shop to order for you.
http://www.petei.com/line_list/line_contents.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 31, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Needlepoint Love Story, 2016 Entry UPDATED

Thistle Hill is holding its third annual needlepoint exhibit from February 24-38 in Fort Worth, Texas.   This show is called "A Needlepoint Love Story" and because it is the third annual exhibit, the organizers are calling this Chapter Three. This year the exhibit (which raises funds for Historic Fort Worth) will have three exclusive heart canvases that celebrate Thistle Hill.  The French Knot in Fort Worth did the stitch guides and will sell a limited number of the canvases during the show.  Fancy Stitches in Cleburne will also have some of the hearts available.  You can also pre-order the heart canvases although I am not sure where.  I am sure the two shops helping with this (links below) will be able to advise you.  Needlepoint This will have tickets to the exhibit and may be able to order hearts as well.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-needlepoint-love-story-chapter-three.html

http://www.fancystitches.com

http://www.thefrenchknot.com

http://www.needlepointthis.com

UPDATE:  Please read the comments below for exact information on where to buy the canvases, the threads and the stitch guide.  Thanks!
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-needlepoint-love-story-chapter-three.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 17, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Beard for Christmas

This time of the year all the great holiday ornaments folks have displayed will tempt us to purchase a Santa canvas to stitch for the 2016 holidays.  Then we are faced with the task of coming up with a great beard stitch. One of the beard masters is Janet Zigler Casey, who teaches a very popular line of holiday ornaments.  I thought you'd like to see all her beards.  Click on each thumbnail portrait to get a better look.
http://www.jzcdesigns.com/christmas.htm

If you stitch a lot of Santa Clauses and don't already own Diana Bosworth's little booklet Beards I Have Known, put it on your Christmas wish list.  It is full of great ideas for stitches and threads to make fabulous beards.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/product/needlepoint-stitch-reference-book-beards-that-i-have-known-by-diana-bosworth/

Diana herself is another beard expert.  Check out the Petei Santas at the French Knot in Texas, most of which Diana stitched!
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/x-petei.htm

Merry Christmas, Santa!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Tulip and The Mole

Linda at Split the Needles is stitching away on a mole, using Tulips.  Her canvas one of a series of little autumn animals from Melissa Shirley that The French Knot is doing as a club (second link below). Linda's already finished the bunny.
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2015/06/mole-head.html

http://www.thefrenchknot.com/z-thanksgiving.htm

Tulips is a subtle colored kid mohair thread from Gumnut in Australia. Purl Soho describes it a beautifully here but it looks like they've sold out.
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7701-Gumnut-Yarns-Tulips-

Not to worry, though.  If you want a sample to play with and your local shop doesn't carry it, Alex Paras will sell you whatever you like.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/gumnutyarns.html

Here is the Gumnut color card for Tulips.  Custom House is the distributor in the US.
http://www.customhouseofneedlearts.com/gumnut/tulippic.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Make a Ribbon Flower

Elizabeth made a video at In Stitches of Janet demonstrating how to make a ribbon rose flower.  This is a technique that Janet learned at the TNNA Winter show.  Basically you come up with your silk ribbon, then make a Colonial knot followed by a French knot followed by several running stitches, then you go down through the canvas with your needle.  It's not hard but you probably want to see the video to understand.  The silk ribbon with the different colored edge is from Planet Earth Fiber.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=656298941158846&set=o.108537025890131&type=2&theater

By the way, Janet agreed to Elizabeth's making and sharing the video with us.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Why We Love Petei Santas

If you have ever wondered why folks love Petei's little Santas, Stephanie will demonstrate their charms for you here.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2015/01/petei-wonderland.html

If you want more eye candy, just head over to The French Knot's website and look at their display of Petei Santas.  All these have stitch guides available from Diana Bosworth.  Just ask French Knot to help you with guides.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/x-petei.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I'm a Sucker

I'm a sucker for a good Nativity set, so I was thrilled to see Diane's Nativity progress on her Carol Dupree Creche set.  She's only got the angel to go, so pretty soon I hope we will have photos of the finished set made up into figures.
http://www.dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.com/2014/03/my-nativity-is-almost-finished.html

Here's the link to the set offered by The French Knot in Fort Worth, which has sponsored this monthly club.
http://thefrenchknot.com/current-series.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Blue Russian Inspiration: A Collection of Fur and Beards

When I knew I was going to be stitching the Blue Russian, I started collecting links to fur and Santa beards I liked.  I thought you might find them inspiring, too.   Stephanie has done some wonderful Russian Santas from Heartstrings, which are distributed by Artists Collection.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/12/russian-style-santas-from-kathy-schenkel.html

Stephanie has also posted great Santa photos from a variety of designers.  Some of these she has stitched, some are from her SWANs group and some are from her local shops.  They really illustrate the diversity of fur and beards we can create.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/12/santa-baby.html

I love Suzanne's polar bear stocking.  I think he might have been stitched using Fuzzy Stuff from Rainbow Gallery.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2013/12/happy-polar-bear.html

Summer has done some wonderful Santa ornaments, working from her stash threads.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/12/two-melissa-shirley-ornaments-completed.html

Becki's Melissa Shirley Santa has a lovely beard and gorgeous fur trim.  The fur trim is Colonial knots in a variety of threads.
http://astheneedleturns.com/russian-santas-club/

Finally, wait'll you see Anne's traditional Medici beard!
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-wild-and-hairy-guy.html

I also referred to my copy of Beards I Have Known, which shows off the various beards Diana Bosworth has stitched for The French Knot in Texas.
http://www.pfos.com/SalePages/PocketFullofStitchesNeedlepointBooks.htm

It's a great little book but if you are not willing to spend money on a book you will only use occasionally, you can browse the photos of Diana's Peteis on the French Knot website.  I believe all the stitch guides for these creations are still available from the French Knot.
http://thefrenchknot.com/x-petei.htm

Hope you found all this as inspirational as I did!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 2, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Background Touch

I like to stitch my backgrounds first, or nearly first, when I work on a painted canvas. I think they are so important that I like to have them out of the way so that the rest of the canvas rests lightly on what stitches and threads I've chosen. Their importance is emphasized by this posting at the Stitching Up a Storm in Alamo City blog.  What to see what Diana Bosworth did for other backgrounds in her Petei Santa stitch guides?  Visit the second link.
http://janew1102.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/02/english-pearly-santa.html

http://www.thefrenchknot.com/x-petei.htm

Many of the backgrounds are tent stitched but many aren't, even though there isn't much background behind the Santas to work with.  Diana's a genius, isn't she?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Knotty Reminder

BeStitched reminds us of the various uses of French knots.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/bestitched-needlepoint-is-getting-all-knotted-up/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Hearts and Humbugs UPDATED

Diane's been taking time out to stitch little heart canvases from Associated Talents, using the stitch guides and kits provided by the French Knot in Fort Worth, Texas.  Aren't they perfect little Valentines?
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-heart-you.html

The stitch guides are all by the wildly talented Diana Bosworth.  You can see the entire series that Diana has done to date on the French Knot website.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/z-hearts.htm

In other spring design news, Ada Hayden shares how her Eye Candy humbugs are made up into the humbug shape.  You will have seen this pattern in Needlepoint Now if you subscribe, so Ada kindly explains how to make this up if you decided to stitch her design.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2013/01/spring-garden-humbug-plus-decision-has.html

Linda of The Stitching Sisters is enjoying the Easter Egg series she has been stitching.  The eggs are from a club from The Needle House called From Russia With Love.  The canvases are designed by Renaissance Designs to be miniature Faberge eggs in needlepoint.  UPDATE:  Elizabeth, who is also stitching these, says the designer is A Collection of Designs.  Sorry for the error!
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2013/01/another-egg-finished.html

http://www.theneedlehouse.com/jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=102

Spring themes in needlepoint are wonderful, especially if you are looking at them during the depths of winter.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Other Uses for Mini Socks

I think you'll enjoy a good long look at Jane's Twelve Days of Christmas mini socks. I am pretty sure they are from Tapestry Tent and Jane says the club was from the French Knot in Texas, so you too can stitch these if you've a mind to.  She used hers for silverware holders at dinner parties, which must have looked wonderful!  Christmas can happen any month of the year, besides....
http://janew1102.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/12/totally-missed-out.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Another October Newsletter

The French Knot's latest newsletter has a thread sale, announces their newest monthly club to start in the spring, and has their finishing deadlines for Christmas.  You can read it yourself here.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=f77e64cab&v=0011-h27AIlENi8BAhmHx7P_lhj3akbqFfEZN-a3lK8uEZTrmaA-JPITGnz_DyA7R_zaLtmBh50jh259WMl4cCgKgkCy5k87mY_4AIWq_7gRlTWH56YwBC30bKc7lf-Pqz5CvU7A7UPxrw%3D

or use this Tiny URL
http://tinyurl.com/8lofxsl
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Visiting The French Knot

Katherine took a trip when Hurricane Isaac came to call, and managed to make a nice long visit to The French Knot in Fort Worth.   It is great to peek inside the shop and see what other stitchers Katherine met are working on.
http://bootsandbeads.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-power-of-community.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Monthly Clubs Update

Needle House has updated their monthly clubs page with new models for their Fabrege Eggs club. These beauties are from A Collection of Designs.
http://www.theneedlehouse.com/jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=102

Also from A Collection of Designs is this Halloween tree, complete with spooked snowman tree topper and plenty of spooky ornaments.  This club is being offered by The French Knot.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/z-halloween.htm

Chandail is adding a witch hat series from Kelly Clark to their clubs.
http://www.chandailneedlework.com/series/WitchHatsSeries.php

Ada si showing off the Seasonal Owls series that Eye Candy is doing for a lot of shops.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/03/winters-snowy-owl-from-hoot-owl-series.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com