Beware! UPDATED

The owner of Needlepoint for Fun has just discovered someone has copied their domain name almost exactly and is selling needlepoint supplies pretending to be the Needlepoint for Fun shop.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/6656646167745818/

Since not everyone has a Facebook account and cannot read what was posted to NP Nation, I'll quote Patricia Dee (the owner of Needlepoint for Fun) here:

"Buyers Beware! I've recently discovered that a group has duplicated the needlepoint-for-fun website and is calling themselves "Needlepointforfun.shop". The two companies are not related in any way. The Needlepoint-for-fun shop is currently disabled because of this issue. If you google Needlepoint-for-fun you will be directed to the other shop. If you purchase from this site you do so at your own risk, and the prices on the canvases and accessories have no relationship to those sold on Needlepoint-for-fun."

It's pretty low to copy a well established shop's name and domain to steal their business.  Stay away from this website.  Anyone trying to steal another's good name is likely not honest in other ways.

Once the real Needlepoint for Fun figures out how to combat this nasty behavior and is back online, I'll let you know.

UPDATE:  The real Needlepoint-for-Fun is back!  The link is below.  The fake needlepointforfun.shop shows up in Google searches so don't use that.  Use the right link with the dashes in the name and watch for the girl on the red sofa logo in the upper left corner of the website to make sure you are dealing with the original shop, not someone who stole their name to steal their business.  You don't want to deal with crooks online.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 5, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Best Travel Tools

Needlepoint for Fun's latest newsletter talks about the best tools for traveling.  They have great ideas, including a style of project bag I've not seen before, but their best tip is to take an extra packet of needles.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/needlepoint-tools-and-accessories-for-travel?_pos=5&_sid=599a225dd&_ss=r&ml_subscriber=1952192320992450487&ml_subscriber_hash=k3r9

In fact, put a packet of needles in your wallet or purse so you have them at all times.  Needles are easy to loose and very hard to replace on vacation.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 17, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Beginner's Guide to Couching

Needlepoint for Fun's latest article is about couching and how it is done.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/needlepoint-couching?_pos=1&_sid=788884724&_ss=r&ml_subscriber=1931898778055350092&ml_subscriber_hash=k6h6&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_stitch_zip_kits_plus_new_abstract_sea_critters_from_melissa_prince&utm_term=2022-04-19

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Threads Create a Focal Point

Needlepoint for Fun's latest essay is all about using threads to create a focal point on your canvas.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/blogs/needlepoint-for-fun-blog/use-thread-to-create-a-focal-point-on-your-needlepoint-canvas?ml_subscriber=1881203531478733967&ml_subscriber_hash=o4f2

Basically they advocate using a thicker thread (or more plies if you are using a floss) for areas you want to stand out and thinner threads for backgrounds or less important details.  The article discusses thread types they use and show how their technique is used on a candy cane from Danji.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Favorite Shop Stitches (with Diagrams)

Stuck choosing stitches?  Two shops have posted about favorite stitches, and this might give you ideas.  First up (alphabetically) is Needlepoint For Fun's article on the balloon stitch and variations on this classic stitch which is perfect for rounded areas.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/how-to-stitch-a-needlepoint-balloon-stitch-and-the-best-places-to-use-it?_pos=3&_sid=e65a13e16&_ss=r&ml_subscriber=1759401998219744710&ml_subscriber_hash=y5w2

The Needlepointer has a long article about basic stitches, followed by their favorites they return to over and over again.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/needlepoint-stitches/?goal=0_3621358244-b15c891cb7-69335125&mc_cid=b15c891cb7&mc_eid=73961ee0ea

Needlepoint shops are a fabulous source of information.  If you don't have a favorite in your area, consider making one of the online shops your Go To shop.  They have lots of information they happily share.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 24, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitches for Broad Stripes

Needlepoint for Fun's latest tutorial covers stitches to use for broad stripes in a background.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/blogs/needlepoint-for-fun-blog/how-to-needlepoint-those-bold-stripes?ml_subscriber=1668130590311847109&ml_subscriber_hash=a1d0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 20, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Victorian Cross Stitch Tutorial

Needlepoint for Fun has a nice article with diagrams teaching you how to do Victorian cross stitch.  The stitch rows are always worked from right to left and you work each cross stitch's leg / \ to make an X before you move to the left and work the next.  These are done in hand in a scoop stitching style.  

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/the-victorian-cross-stitch-for-needlepoint?_pos=1&_sid=49abc0a20&_ss=r&ml_subscriber=1614477756802799082&ml_subscriber_hash=j9q1

They use Victorian cross stitch for their little panda kit from Animal Fayre if you want to see what it looks like when stitched.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/needlepoint-stitch-guide-for-animal-fayre-little-panda?_pos=4&_sid=49abc0a20&_ss=r&ml_subscriber=1614477756802799082&ml_subscriber_hash=j9q1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 6, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mountains and Hills

Are you always stumped when you have to find stitches for mountains and hills?  Needlepoint for Fun  has an article explaining how to pick a stitch, with four stitch diagrams you can use.  

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/four-needlepoint-stitches-for-mountains-and-hills?_pos=3&_sid=8e030dbe4&_ss=r&ml_subscriber=1607230741295404991&ml_subscriber_hash=k7x0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

A Trip to Needlepoint for Fun

Melita's latest road trip was for the newish Needlepoint for Fun shop in Pennsylvania.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2020/09/04/needlepoint-for-fun-in-lititz-pa/

Needlepoint for Fun started out as an online only shop that imported a lot of English and Australian and New Zealand needlepoint projects.  They have a nice newsletter that comes out once a week, too. Or you can visit the How To section of their website.
https://needlepoint-for-fun.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Sept. 4, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Spider Web Stitch

Needlepoint for Fun has a great essay (with diagrams) about how to do the spider web stitch. This is a great stitch for silk ribbon roses but it works for just about anything round since you can make the spoke foundation visible or invisible. Read all about it here—
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-spider-web-needlepoint-stitch.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Gobelin with Many Variations

In the same week both Sheena and Needlepoint for Fun talked about gobelin stitch and some of its many variations. (Great minds think alike!)  Needlepoint for Fun has diagrams and stitched examples of regular and encroaching gobelin stitch.  I particularly like that they show it slanting both left and right as well as upright and turned to the side.  This makes it easy to use various slants on a piece of clothing, for example.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-gobelin-and-encroaching-gobelin-needlepoint-stitches.htm

Sheena goes one step further by showing what she calls slanting encroaching gobelin (I call it interlocking gobelin) and then combining several versions to create a unique and interesting stitch that would work for animals so that you can do the legs, chest and head of a dog for example in a related stitch that bends and turns as the dog's body does.
https://www.sheenasstitches.com/october-fun/

I love these stitches for fur and am wondering how they'd work for bird feathers….

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

Tips for Stitching On Black with Black

Needlepoint for Fun's latest e-newsletter has tips for stitching on dark areas with dark threads, such as black and dark navy.  I do have to admit using talc doesn't help me much but your eyes may be different than mine.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/stitching-dark-canvases-in-needlepoint-and-how-to-see-them-better.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 8, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bird Feathers, Leaves and Dragon Scales

Needlepoint for Fun's latest e-newsletter is all about the ray stitch. It's perfect for leaves, for bird feathers and for scales on critters like alligators and snakes and dragons.  They have a great diagram and a second variant of ray stitch that is slightly taller, plus good photos to show you where this stitch has been used to good effect.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/the-ray-stitch-in-needlepoint-how-to-do-it-and-the-best-places-to-use-it.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 6, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Using Running Stitch for Colorful Backgrounds

Needlepoint For Fun's latest e-newsletter is about using a running stitch and Flair to cover a colorful background.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-running-stitch-for-the-background-on-your-needlepoint-canvas.htm

Of course there are other ways to handle a background with a lot of color changes.  You can frame the piece over gold lame' fabric without stitching anything in the background, for example.  You can use a single ply of cotton or silk floss in a medium shade taken from the background.  You can use thin metallics as well and work random sized boxes all over the piece.  There are a lot of fun things you can do to enhance the background.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 27, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching Owl Eyes

Owl from Tapestry Fair's Belleza

With Halloween in the air, October 1 is a great time to post this link to Needlepoint for Fun's article on stitching owl eyes.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/grandma-what-big-eyes-you-have---the-best-needlepoint-stitches-for-owls-eyes.htm

The owl above is one I stitched with sequins and beads for eyes.  The design is an element in Manuel Salas' Belleza de Halloween (Halloween Beauty), adapted for needlepoint canvas by Tapestry Fair.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Some of My Favorites

The newest Needlepoint for Fun newsletter talks about some of my favorite stitches—the woven stitch group of woven stitch, double woven and woven trellis variation.  All these are wonderful backgrounds for Asian-themed designs, among others.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-woven-needlepoint-sitch-and-its-variations-and-the-best-places-to-use-them.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 12, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Four Wool Threads Compared (Plus a New Crewel Wool)

Needlepoint for Fun's latest adventure is a comparison of four new wool threads on the market.    You'll learn about Vineyards Merino, Essentials, Glisten and Planet Earth Wool, especially their characteristics and what canvas count (13 or 18) and type of stitch they work well for.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/comparison-of-three-wool-threads-for-your-needlepoint--vineyards-merino-essentials-by-tilli-tomas-and-glisten-by-rainbow-gallery.htm

As a bonus, a stitch guide is being written for the Steven Klein canvas used as a demonstration project.  Your favorite shop can order the canvas from Julie Mar and Friends, or you can ask Needlepoint for Fun for the canvas when you get their guide.

As an aside since we are talking about wool, Painter's Thread now has a crewel wool on a machine embroidery spool.  The second link below is their website with a good look at the colors available.
https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2019/08/painters-thread-crewel-wool.html

https://threadnuts.com/shop?olsPage=t%2Fcrewel-wool-soft

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 28, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Studio Stitches: An Interview with Barbara Reinfeld

I love reading about new needlepoint designers from all over the world, so I was thrilled when Needlepoint for Fun published this interview with Barbara Reinfeld of Studio Stitches.
http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=741718&f=10538&s=11216&m=394269&t=10bfd1d682bdcd7b3d7e5b30144e5d1c3da8cfc81f6c09170be7d7e898ef1035

If you aren't familiar with Barbara's work as Studio Stitches, here are her kits available through Needlepoint for Fun.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/shop/Kits/Studio-Stitches-Needlepoint-Kits.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 31, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Deconstructing a Complex Stitch

Needlepoint for Fun Makes This Easy

Needlepoint for Fun's latest article covers how to dissect a complicated, multiple step stitch so that you can understand how it is created and easily recreate it on your canvas.  If you look at a diagram like the above and panic, this article is for you!
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-dissect-a-complicated-stitch-in-needlepoint-to-make-it-simple.htm

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.

Breaking News: Needlepoint For Fun Shop Opens

I've been enjoying the newsletters from Needlepoint for Fun for several years now, and I'm sure you have been, too. They are fun and educational, but the shop was always online only. Now they have opened up a physical shop in the Amish Country of Pennsylvania!
http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=741718&f=10538&s=15482&m=394608&t=7690ffdc97f8d6f6bd572e0a634f2c41646ac7876716726d9925f5a49a49c567

(By the way, if you aren't familiar with their weekly e-newsletter, here's the latest.  It's all about one of my favorite versatile stitches—Double Stitch.)
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-double-stitch-in-needlepoint-and-the-best-places-to-use-it.htm

The company is still a major importer of canvases from Australia and New Zealand and of course their online shop is still there for those of us who aren't visiting Lititz, PA anytime soon.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com

Hope the shop has a red couch like their logo!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 14, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.