Blanket Versus Buttonhole

Thanks to Anna Scott, I found this article about the different between the buttonhole and blanket stitch on Nordic Needle's website.  

Sorry, but Nordic Needle's website seems to be down.  Perhaps permanently?  Anyway, the article is gone but I did find this.
https://togs-from-bogs.blogspot.com/2009/10/blanket-stitch-vs-buttonhole-stitch.html

And this.
https://stitchfloral.blogspot.com/2017/06/buttonhole-stitch-lesson-1-basics.html

To me it sounds like what I've always called the buttonhole stitch is actually a blanket stitch.  Mary Corbett helps define the two, and now I can keep calling what I do the buttonhole stitch!
https://www.needlenthread.com/2017/10/buttonhole-stitch-vs-blanket-stitch-the-name-debate.html

I mention this here not to confuse you, but to point out that one stitch can have many different names.  What really matters to me is that I understand the stitch's construction to create it properly and use it to the best effect in a thread that will show it off properly.

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

BREAKING NEWS: Nordic Needle is Closing

I've been hearing rumors for two weeks but it's official—Nordic Needle is closing their physical store and may close their online store as well. That's not been decided yet.
http://www.inforum.com/business/4335993-fargos-nordic-needle-store-close-fall

https://www.nordicneedle.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 2, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The History of Needlepoint

Nordic Needle has posted a quick history of needlepoint in their latest newsletter.
https://sendy.nordicneedle.com/sendy/w/Ms763rEz7ISjJcVJerZDpxCw/cnYPGf1UY29qb763KiNfi6zg/r763Ho5ALtxTS8M892mxp6julA#.WPyOGi1b7xE.facebook

I can't say that I agree with everything they say—Medieval stitchers were creating wall hangings, rugs and a sort of table cover, not upholstery as we think of it today plus I think basketweave wears much better than continental—but it's still interesting, with lots of great photographs.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All About Laying Tools

Nordic Needle's newest newsletter is all about laying tools, from what they are made of to how to protect them.
http://www.nordicneedle.net/guides/stitching-materials-guides/laying-tools/?utm_source=weekly_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=specials

A bonus tip is to look in the right hand column at prior newsletters. There's lots to read and enjoy!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

200 Different Thread Colors

Sometimes when I am working on a stitch guide I look at the 30-40 different items I've used and think I have gone a bit overboard. Turns out I am a serious beginner when it comes to using a lot of different threads! Mary Corbet is about to start a project that uses 200 different flosses.  Yep, I'm a rank amateur!
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/09/how-to-organize-thread-for-large-needlework-projects.html

The way she plans to organize her threads looks very logical, although expensive.  But if you do a lot of this kind of thing, you'll definitely want to look into Annie's Keepers.
http://www.annieskeepers.com

By the way, Traditional Stitches is a great online shop if you are Canadian and Nordic Needle is amazing if you are in the United States.
http://www.traditionalstitches.com

http://www.nordicneedle.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hand Health

Sharp-eyed Wendy noticed this article from Nordic Needle about hand health and passed it along to me.  Not much is worse than developing arthritis or repetitive stress injuries that keep us from our stitching so I hope you'll read through the article and use the tips to minimize problems.
http://www.nordicneedle.net/guides/hand-health/

I will add this link to the Health Section on Blog in the right hand column so you can always find it again.  Everyone stitch safely!

Thank you, Wendy.  This is much appreciated.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2015 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.

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Actually I haven't HAD a summer vacation in years but luckily Kathy and DMB took summer trips to places that had needlework shops.  Kathy talks in detail about Nordic Needle in the first two links below.  The third link is to the Nordic Needle website.  Sign up for their newsletter if you haven't already.  It's always interesting even if it is rarely about needlepoint.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2014/08/19/hello-from-nordic-needle-in-fargo/

http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2014/08/28/nordic-needle-bits-and-bobs/

http://www.nordicneedle.com

DMB went to Long Island and stumbled across Altman's Needle and Fiber Arts.  She had a blast exploring (first link) and I've included the shop website (second link below) so you can do a little exploring, too.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/18/needlework-shop-on-north-shore-of-long-island/

http://altmansneedlearts.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 19, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Shop and Thread News

Just got word today that Nordic Needle has new owners.   Many thanks to Needlework Retailer for posting the link to this article announcing the change.  If you have not visited the website for this iconic shop which does mail order all over the world, the second link below will be a treat to visit.
http://www.inforum.com/content/stitch-time-business-1975-nordic-needle-has-new-owners

By the way, the NN website has a notice on the home page saying Dinky-Dyes has discontinued their cotton flosses and perles.  Stock up now if you are a fan.
http://www.nordicneedle.com

The other bit of shop news is from Meredith Willet who just announced via newsletter that she is closing the Louisville branch of M's Canvashouse as she just doesn't have the time to devote to two shops.  The Lexington shop will happily care for Louisville customers in the future.  Everything in the Louisville shop will be thirty percent off from September 8-12 to help empty the inventory.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com

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

Is There a Brain Fixer?

Mary Corbet has written a short article about a tool new to me called the Stitch Fixer. It looks really useful and is something I've not seen before, so I thought you'd like to read about it, too. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2014/01/needlework-tool-thread-tucker-tweaker-fixer-thingy.html

You can buy them from Nordic Needle and apparently the metal rods come in a wide variety of sizes in the same range as needle sizes.  Interesting!  I guess this will go on my Wish List for Santa for 2014.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/ctgy/E30-00-00.html

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.

Profile: Sharlotte DeVere

When we first moved to Virginia, we lived in the quaint little Colonial town of Leesburg, only about two miles from the downtown area which has a small and fascinating counted thread shop called The Queen's Stitch. It was great fun to visit to admire the silk gauze kits, the little perforated paper boxes, to look at the skeins of Paternayan hung against the wall, and to generally enjoy the atmosphere of a good stitching shop, so I was heartbroken when the owner Sharlotte decided to move back home to the family farm in Pennsylvania.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered Sharlotte will be back in the area to teach at the Loudoun Sampler Guild!  The guild also posted a link to a Nordic Needle interview with Sharlotte which I think you'll find interesting.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/newsletters/_300/358.shtml

Great stitchers are found in unexpected places but what really amazes me about our art is the diversity of folks who are drawn to make things with their hands.  I think we are involved in a universal impulse to create with the needle, don't you?

Enjoy the article. If you are at the EGA Seminar this year, hug Sharlotte for me and tell me I remember the Queen's Stitch very fondly.

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.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

I've been stitching my brains out here in CH and neglecting updating you on various things, so here goes--

First of all, Robin shows off some new mini socks from A. Bradley that will premier at the June Columbus TNNA show.  If you want to be surprised, don't look.

http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/05/bradley-needle-arts-inc-has-gone-to.html

Ditto the new Mindy designs on Pocket Full of Stitches' blog.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-from-mindy.html

Liz is stitching a fractals project based on fractal artwork that will be a Kindle cover.

http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/digits-fractal-by-kerry-mitchell.html

Ruth Schmuff is making flowers out of ribbon and French knots, and throwing in buttons made from felt to boot!

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/05/let-games-begin.html

Nordic Needle has a new line of disappearing markers available.  Heat from your blow dryer will make the lines disappear.  But be careful!  If you leave a project in a car on a hot day, bet that heat will make the lines disappear, too!

http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2011/05/heat-removable-marking-pens-from-nordic-needle.html

In the Totally Different Department, Nimble Needle has a clipboard with a needlepoint band at the bottom.  

http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/04/keep-it-clipped.html

Patt and Lee Designs tells you how to tell their stitch painted canvases from their gilcee print ones, just in case to want to know before you order from an online shop.

http://pattandleedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/design-lines.html

Mary Corbet has written a review of a new crewel designter's latest chart.

http://www.needlenthread.com/2011/04/royal-persian-crewel-design-review.html

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

Lots and Lots Of Things

Lots is happening on the Internet this week.  First of all, I've updated the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog with an article about Brenda Hart and her guides.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2011/01/brenda-hart-stitch-guides.html

Nordic Needle has put their yearly catalog online in PDF format!
http://www.nordicneedle.com/catalogs/j11.pdf

Needle in a Haystack is adding the new Rainbow Gallery colors to their website.  Expect photos soon.  Some photos of the new things are on the RG website (second link).
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2011/01/new-rainbow-gallery-thread-colors-released.html

http://www.rainbowgallery.com/whatsnew.cfm

Kreinik has written about their new Hot Wire thread--wired metallic!  Make sure you read Sue Jenning's tip on using this thread.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2011/01/out-of-box-adding-dimension-with-hot.html

Finally, here are two book reviews.  Mary Corbet talks about the new book on crewel embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework and...
http://www.needlenthread.com/2011/01/book-review-rsn-essential-stitch-guide-for-crewelwork.html

...Janet Perry reviews Summer Truswell's new book which is in the Kindle format.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/the-stitch-starts-here-book-review

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Monthly Clubs and Big January Sales

A great many needlepoint shops have a January sale going on now.  Here are the ones I know about:

Needlepoint in the 21st Century has painted and printed canvases on sale.  Check out the home page and also the Clearance page for some big bargains.  I don't think any of their great book collection is on sale, however.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/

Old World Designs will sell in-stock painted canvases at 25% off from January 15-29.  Books, some threads and accessories are also on sale but the newsletter didn't spell out what or how much off.  They have a Shorebird Studio trunk show until January 12 if you are a fan of Kate Molineux's designs like I am.
http://www.oldworlddesigns.com/

http://shorebirdstudio.com/

The French Knot in Texas has a one day sale on 1/8/11 with in stock painted canvases between 30-85% off and some threads a dollar a skein.  They also will special order canvases at a 20% discount.  Remember, this is a one day only sale.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/

Chaparral Needlepoint in Texas is putting almost everything in the shop on sale at 20% off from January 10-15.
http://www.ndlpt.com/

Needlepoint.com has added to their 50% off sale canvases page.  Note the sale runs until Jan. 15.
http://www.needlepoint.com/index.php/sale-items.html

When it comes to monthly clubs, ads in the needlepoint magazines are full of new items.  The Needlepointer hasn't updated their monthly club page yet, but they plan a ribbon candy canvas club, a club featuring Melissa Shirley's tiny fancy pumpkins that spell out Thanksgiving, and a peppermint patty club of double sided canvases that make sweet treats for all stitchers.  All these start this month, so hopefully the website will have this information soon.
http://www.theneedlepointer.com/monthly_clubs.php

Do you love Christmas and train sets?  Then the Toy Express series from Needleworks in Birmingham, Alabama is for you.
http://web.me.com/gritsnp/Site/Toy_Express_Train.html

Nordic Needle is jumping into the monthly club business with their counted canvaswork Seasonal Snowflakes.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/CLUB03.html

Chandail is working with Melissa Shirley to create Santa Bells, a series of her classic Santa designs in "snow globe bell" form.  Each bell is 5 inches high so these can be made up into ornaments or finished as a series of stand up designs.  You can see the first three Santa bells on their home page.  Follow the links for nice big photos.  My favorite is the red Santa holding the bird tree but you may prefer one of the more over-the-top designs that still manage to be elegant in true Chandail style.
http://www.chandailneedlework.com/

A Stitch in Time is offering Raymond Crawford flowers of the month in a cheerful club that will bring spring to you any month of the year.
http://www.needlepoint-knitting.com/stitch-clubs.htm

Finally, Old Town Needlework in Arizona is doing a kimono club.  The designs are darling but sadly only the details are on their website. No pictures!  The 3 x 3 1/2 inch kimonos are all from Lee or Patt and Lee Designs.
http://www.oldtownneedlework.com/KimonoClub.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

What's A Threadaholic To Do?

I am pretty much stuck at home under 18-24 inches of snow, depending on where I measure.  Some of us love snow!  We eat it, we lay in it, we run around like a maniac in it.

But some of us don't!  (Especially when it is still falling.  The white streaks above are snowflakes coming down hard.)  I'm one of the latter group.  So what's a threadaholic to do when they are stuck at home four days before Christmas?  Why, do Internet shopping, of course!

Fireside Stitchery sent an email this morning reminding me of their yearly clubs which are about to start up again.  My favorite is their unique Thread Collectors Club.  Have a thread you adore that you can't get locally?  For a monthly fee, have a selection of colors sent to your door. You collect your favorite brand at a discount a month at a time.  Here are all the thread brands they offer this way.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/clubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=getClubList&CategoryId=2&showStart=1&groupNo=1

Nordic Needle also emailed me this morning.  Their weekly newsletter has specials, including a pages and pages of threads on sale.  There is a lot of Kreinik metallics available, mostly in Cord and the larger 12, 16 and 24 sizes, and they have selected colors of Silk Mori and Silk Serica also on sale.  Check out the selection here.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=NN&Offset=0&Category_Code=L06-00-00&ph=&pl=&CpField=&CpValue=&show=&SortBy=&Search=

If you are more interested in monthly canvas clubs, how about the feathers and fur group, the nature set, or the Getting Ready for Christmas club What's the Point offers?  Click on the photo of the stitched example to see the entire set.  By the way, if you are a Buckeye fan, click on the Buckeye Corner link on the left side of the page to see Ohio-specific canvases.
http://www.whatsthepoint.biz/clubs.php

That ought to keep us busy until all the snow melts!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow