Porte Bonheur (or Lucky Charm) from Clover

Shirley Chin just returned from a trip to Japan where she visited the Miyuki bead store, a fabric store, and a Japanese needlework supplies store.  She and Toni Gerdes do an unboxing.  She purchased Delica beads and Porte Bonheur tools (made by Clover but only available in Japan), plus DMC Japan only tool lines, special little boxes, hand made needles and more.

https://www.facebook.com/ANGSanDiego/videos/1987452045408049/

Here are the little boxes she bought from Misuyabari in Kyoto.  Most are sewing kits, with lovely little tools inside.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1108244764631402

If you want to see more about the various places Shirley visited, scroll down to May 1, 2025 on the San Diego Chapter ANG website and start exploring.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Fine Merino Wool Collections from AFE

The Royal School of Embroidery sells color sets of fine Australian merino wool (think crewel weight) from the Japanese thread company AFE.  There are seven sets of colors, all beautiful and all hand dyed in Japan.

https://royal-needlework.org.uk/product/fine-merino-crewel-wool-colour-packs-by-art-fiber-endo/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Japanese Needle Sharpeners

While looking for something else, I stumbled across these adorable Japanese ceramic needle sharpeners.  They are made by a small company called Kawara, have magnets inside that polish the needles, and I think they are distributed by Cohana who sell beautiful Japanese enameled scissors (second link below).  Four colors are available:  white, blue, green and yellow.  

https://www.snugglymonkey.com/collections/needleminders/products/awaji-kawara-magnetic-needle-sharpener?variant=40901162205295

https://cohana.shop/collections/scissors

The same website also sells Macaron magnetic needle sharpeners, also made in Japan, but distributed by Clover.

https://www.snugglymonkey.com/products/macaron-magnetic-needle-sharpener?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=351725776&pr_rec_pid=6578672795759&pr_ref_pid=7033867796591&pr_seq=uniform

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 13, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Today's Hari-Kuyo

The days are flying past me here in Chilly Hollow, but Pamela reminded me that today is Hari-Kuyo, the Japanese day to honor our needles.

https://hokkaidokudasai.blogspot.com/2024/02/hari-kuyo.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Embroidery Scissors from Japan

I am a big fan of Japanese embroidery tools so I was thrilled to learn that Cohana has embroidery scissors as well as tiny snips.  Their mini scissors and thread snips are at the top of the page.  The embroidery scissors (which are around four inches long and have blunt tips) are at the bottom of the page.

https://cohana.shop/collections/scissors

These are all beautifully handmade and the embroidery scissors have laquered handles so they aren't cheap.  Usage tips are at the bottom of the page.  Please note that the tips are blunt and that some people are allergic to the lacquer handles.

Occasionally Cohana offers limited edition colors in the handles.  Most of these appear to be sold out.

https://cohana.shop/blogs/news2/on-sale-today-small-scissors-with-lacquered-handles-spring-limited-edition

I found a pink pair on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1445040657/cohana-fine-scissors-with-laquer-sakura?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cohana+scissors&ref=sr_gallery-1-9&frs=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

I also found a yellow pair still available.

https://www.oneofakindheirlooms.com/product-page/cohana-spring-limited-edition-cohana-scissors-with-lacquered-handles-nanohan

Cohana and their partners make all sorts of embroidery tools. You can browse a selection of other items besides scissors here.

https://www.suespargo.com/shop?search=cohana&noFuzzy=true&order=name+asc

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 29, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cosmo Updated

I am a huge fan of Cosmo, which is a Japanese six ply cotton floss, available in hundreds of colors and even in about thirty overdyes. Trish Burr is working with Cosmo's manufacturer in Japan to package color ranges for sale.  If you've ever despaired about finding 5-7 shades of a color for a design, Cosmo has what you need.  

https://trishburr.com/2023/01/27/cosmo-floss/

If you don't want to do mail order or Trish runs out of these limited edition packs, check with quilt shops in your area.  Many carry Cosmo.  I love stitching with it.  Of all the cotton flosses available, Cosmo is my favorite by far due to the huge color range, the silky feel as you stitch with it, and the quality of the cotton thread itself.

UPDATE:  Rittenhouse just posted that they stock Cosmo.  There are tons of shades!

https://www.facebook.com/rittenhouse.needlepoint/photos/a.640836352697490/5802869793160761/

Here is their website ordering page in case you can't resist.

https://myneedlepoint.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Cosmo+6+stranded+embroidery+floss

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 27, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Soie Et from Fujix

The Needlework Retailer posted a short article on Fujix Soie Et silks from Japan.

https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2022/12/fujix-soie-et-silk-embroidery-threads.html

Of course I had to know more!  Looks like you can buy it from Etsy sellers.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/948254879/fujix-soie-et-silk-embroidery-floss-no25?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fujix+silk&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

It looks like Fujix also sells silks on spools for machine embroidery.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/888241584/fujix-tire-silk-sewing-thread-100-silk?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=fujix+silk&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 10, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Book from Jane Nicholas

Jane Nicholas has a new book coming out.  It's called Japanese Motifs in Stumpwork and Goldwork.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2022/08/japanese-motifs-in-stumpwork-goldwork-by-jane-nicholas-a-pre-review.html

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Is it November yet?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 19, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Folding Twig Scissors for Travel

Just stumbled across these Japanese folding scissors.  They appear to be around five+ inches long, so they are bigger than most embroidery scissors.

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/collections/notions/products/japanese-scissors

They are called Plus Pen Style Twiggy Scissors.  They fold into the pen shape and are locked when you put the cap on.  They are plastic and I suspect not that durable but they are a great pair of scissors to toss into your stitching bag for travel.  Note that I don't know how airport security would look at these, but they aren't very expensive if they are confiscated.

https://kawaiipenshop.com/products/plus-twiggy-pen-style-scissors

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 7, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert! Soie et

A new silk imported from Japan is showing up on needle artists' radar.  It is called Soie et and it is manufactured by Fujix.

https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2021/07/fujix-silk-embroidery-flosses-soie-et.html

Soie et is three ply, hand dyed, and available in 25 variegated shades and 45 solids.

http://www.emmacreation.com/sub_thread/page/fujix-soie-et.html

Fujix sells all sorts of threads for both embroidery and industrial uses.  Their persimmon hand dyed sewing threads are unique in that they change color over time and exposure to the environment.

https://www.fjx.co.jp/english/catalog/household/index.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 28, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Japanese Embroidery Scissors

I have two pair of Japanese embroidery scissors I love.  I don't know the brand (they don't have any name on them) but they have stayed sharp for years and I just love them.  So I noticed when Tanja Berlin announced she carries KAI brand Japanese scissors in her shop now.
https://berlinembroidery.com/blog/new-kai-hand-embroidery-scissors/

https://berlinembroidery.com/product-tag/kai/

My scissors don't appear to be from KAI but if these are half as good as the ones I own, they are a great bargain.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 10, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jolly Red in Japan

Kelly of Jolly Red just got back from a trip to Japan to promote the British company and their needlepoint designs and kits.  She had a lovely time meeting both Japanese needlepointers and other British creatives.
https://www.jollyred.co.uk/jolly-japan/

If you are not familiar with Jolly Red's kits and printed designs, click on Home at the link above and explore all of their happy pieces.  Most are on 10 or 12 count and meant to be stitched with tapestry wool, making them perfect for a fast stitch or for someone who's vision isn't as sharp as it once was.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 25, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Miniature Scissors from Japan

I find Japanese scissors to be very high quality so I was thrilled when someone on Facebook mentioned Cohana Seiko Mini Scissors.  They are said to cut very well.
https://www.connectingthreads.com/cohana-seki-mini-scissors/p/82673?media=PPCBNBT&msclkid=75b6ae003e521c5ed084f2d58c665742&utm_source=media&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=PPCBNBT

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Kyo-Temari UPDATED TO MIYAKO

This morning I stumbled across Barbara Suess's temari website again.  This is the best website I know about for learning the Japanese craft of making temari balls.  I've not been there in a while so of course I did a little browse, aiming to enjoy the gallery of Barbara's finished temari.  That's when I stumbled across Barbara's page about Kyo, a thread made from cupro.  Cupro is waste from the processing of cotton fibers.  It sounds really fascinating!  Breathes like cotton but it has the sheen (and the unruliness) of nylon threads and there are metallic versions as well.  Here's the link for all those who love tracking down and trying new threads in their stitching.
http://www.japanesetemari.com/Kyo/Kyo.thread.html

The link to a website that sells kyo doesn't work but I was able to find this Australian site.
http://www.temariaddictaustralia.bigcartel.com/product/rayon-temari-thread

Kudos to Barbara for all her work introducing us to temari.

UPDATE:  I heard from Barb Suess herself!  Here is what she has to say—

"Hi Jane! Alas, I need to update my website. Kyo thread is no longer being carried by Ai (the link on my website). However she is carrying another thread that is very similar. It's called Miyako. You can buy a whole set in a beautiful box for color indulgence.
http://www.tentemari.com/AIs_store.html

The box is Chiyotemari
http://www.tentemari.com/shop/chiyotemaripage1.html

Thank you for the compliments on my temari - I'll update that page!
Barb Suess"

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 29, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cosmo

Scarlett Johannsen on the Cover of Cosmo

No, I have not been asked to be a cover girl for Cosmopolitan magazine!  (I'd fit right in, though, don't you think?)

Not that long ago a friend [Hi, SL!] told me about Cosmo, a six ply Japanese cotton floss, which she said is very silky to stitch with, and which comes in an amazing range of shades of color.  She also told me I could buy it at a quilt shop over the mountain from my house.  So when I needed to take the dog to the vet's offices only a short distance from the quilt shop, I made a visit.  

Six Pink Cosmo Skeins

This is what I bought--six skeins of shades of pink.  The quilt shop sells them for $1.10 each so I ended up paying $6.83 since I have to pay state tax as well.  The amazing thing was that there were at least 15-20 shades of pink to choose from!  Plus Cosmo comes in variegated colors. This is great news for those looking for a huge range of one color for designs like Patricia Spence's "Twister"which requires seven shades of one color.  

For those who don't live near me or near any quilt shops (as far as I know this is a thread carried mostly by quilt stores), the shop I visited has an online store.  They carry all 442 solid Cosmo colors and the 80 variegated shades.  (They also carry Presencia's Finca perle cotton in both size 8 and size 12.)
http://www.webfabrics.net/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?cart_id=1105655.IP64.79.49.145IP.12769.s0&lastmenu=&menu=submenu-1100.html

I found a bit more about the thread plus a DMC conversion chart here.
http://www.thimblecreek.com/cosmo.php

According to this website, Cosmo has a small metallic thread line called Sparkles.  This I haven't seen.
http://thimblecreek.com/product.php?product=88

I've stitched with my Cosmo floss several times since then and find it very high quality.   The color range is amazing (although not every color has as many variations as the reds, blues, and purples).  I think if you are stitching something that needs lots of shades, this is the thread to use.
http://www.stitchers-paradise.com/Canvas_Embroidery/CETwister.html

UPDATE:  Rittenhouse has a little video on this wonderful cotton floss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlAHzSX9rqQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 17, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Is Blue and White a New Trend in Needlepoint?

I just added these to the Destination Dallas 2016 tab--

Lycette Designs is partnering with Indigo Home Shop to bring some of their lovely work to needlepoint canvases.
http://stitchstyleblog.com/2016/10/indigo-home-shop-lycette-designs/

Blue Dogwood Designs has a few special sachets with matching canvases. The sachets are made from Japanese indigo-dyed fabrics.
https://www.facebook.com/BlueDogwoodDesigns/photos/a.200573464851.166776.200567374851/10155635572324852/?type=3&theater

I'm starting to think blue and white is a new trend in needlepoint....

Of course, Kate Dickerson and Ehman have had blue and white classic designs for years.
http://www.katedickerson.com/the-fishnet-collection?lightbox=i41vnp

http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Products/Star-Rug__SR.aspx#.WA4oLhQldjc

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 24, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Harikuyo 2016

Sue Dulle reminds us that it is Karikuyo, the Japanese festival that honors needles that bring us so much pleasure in our lives.
https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/harikuyo-broken-needle-festival/

This year I will wrap my used needles in pretty wrapping paper, enclose the gift bundle in aluminum foil for protection and they will go in the trash as that's the safest way to send them to their just reward.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 8, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sharp, Sharper, Sharpest UPDATED

Nothing is more interesting to stitchers than finding just the right pair of scissors for a job. Recently, I've started to notice some very interesting cutting tools recommended here and there.  It seemed time for a roundup of specialty scissors and snips and cutters you might find useful.  Nordic Needle carries the tiny grasshopper scissors for precision cutting of just one thread.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/prod/7178.html

Bohin carries an assortment of seam rippers and snips.  These are squeezable tweezer cutters.
http://www.craftersgallery.com/Hardanger-Embroidery-Scissors/Tweezers-4375--98260/default.aspx?PageID=20&CategoryID=94&ProductID=94701&RootCatCode=03000

I prefer a seam ripper myself.  These are also from Bohin and have a nice little case.
http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com/catalog/TLSBHNRIP.PHP

Lots of people swear by curved blade scissors for trimming turkey work. Nordic Needle carries ten pages of scissors, including several brands of curved blade scissors.  These are just two, a high end and a cheaper set.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/prod/305-371-1527.html

http://www.nordicneedle.com/prod/7250D.html

Other people love scissors with a bend.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/prod/305-476-0003.html

If you have a very steady hand, you might like the surgical seam ripper.
http://www.needlepoint.com/surgical-seam-ripper.html

Whatever type scissor you need, hope you find something just perfect for your needs!

UPDATE:  By chance I stumbled across a mention of Kai scissors on Anna Scott's blog this morning.
http://annascottembroidery.blogspot.com/2015/03/goldwork-plume-progress.html

Here is the company website.  They only carry two styles of small embroidery-type scissors and they are a little larger than the three inch embroidery scissors I prefer,  but I've always been impressed by Japanese workmanship.
http://www.kaiscissors.com/category.php?category_id=50

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

Repurposing a Bento Box

Carol-Anne does a very good job explaining the various styles of bento boxes on her Japanese Embroidery blog.  A bento box is a Japanese lunch box, often made of stackable trays that are divided into sections.  They are made in many styles and of many materials.  You can find some spectacular ones on eBay but shop cautiously.  Condition is key if you are going to splurge on an "antique" box.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/speaking-of-boxes.html

You can see modern bento boxes on these two websites.
http://www.jbox.com/category/820

http://en.bentoandco.com/collections/bento-boxes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Harikuyo 2015 UPDATED AGAIN

Today's the Japanese festival of Harikuyo which honors our needles. Susan has special plans to celebrate. 
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/02/two-days-until-harikuyo-2015.html

UPDATE:  Stay tuned for what Susan has planned!  I'll add the link once it goes live.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-gift-of-harikuyo.html

Me, I am too exhausted from celebrating NP Nation's Fourth Birthday to start making a new needle book.  Instead I will do what I always do on February 8th.  I will take all my old needles out of the pill bottle where I keep them, wrap them in aluminum foil, and then use pretty wrapping paper and ribbons to wrap the foil packet. Then I will ceremoniously put them in the trash.

Where would we be without our needles that have served us so well?  Thank you!

UPDATE #2:  Carol-Anne had an amazing needle adventure in Japan.  You will enjoy this.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-needle-in-market.html

UPDATE #4:  More about Carol-Anne's purchases.
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/needles-and-pins.html

UPDATE #5:  Carol-Anne's sewing kit - I want one!
http://threadsacrosstheweb.blogspot.com/2015/02/travelling-sewing-kit.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 6, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.