Kumihimo Braid to Trim Needlepoint UPDATED

Wendy at One Off Needlework explains just how to use Kumihimo Braiding to make lovely trim for needlepoint.
http://www.oneoffneedlework.co.uk/blog/making-my-own-cord-trim/

It looks pretty easy once you have the disk.  Let me know if you try this!

UPDATE:  Check the comments for more information and resources from Blog readers.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 25, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stretching

One Off Needlework talks about how they "stretch" canvases sent to them for finishing. (We call it blocking.)  Personally I think stitch tension has a lot to do with whether a piece done all in basketweave needs blocking, whether it was worked on a frame or not.  However, it's my impression that British needlepointers rarely use a frame, so that may be involved here, too.
http://www.oneoffneedlework.co.uk/blog/to-stretch-or-not/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Not Exactly New... UPDATED

...but these lovely things are new to me. Did you know The Needlepointer has a kits page on their website?  They all seem to be British kits with wool on larger count, perfect for a quick and relaxing stitch when you need a new pillow that will stand up to rowdy kids.  (By the way, they've added a specials section to their website.  Scroll down to the bottom to see the specials for August which happen to be Rebecca Wood Christmas stockings.)
http://theneedlepointer.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=112

For Medici and Needle Necessities fans, Needle in a Haystack has hanks of French wool, which is the overdyed Medici from Needle Necessities.  Their online catalogue has been updated to show the colors available.  They have some of the original overdyed Kreinik from NN available as well.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2012/08/we-have-a-few-colors-of-needle-necessities-hand-dyed-medici.html

I started poking around Needle in a Haystack's website and discovered some new and unusual needle magnets from Embellishments Plus!  I'd never heard of them before but I sure like their cameo style magnets!  Plus, some come in two sizes so you can get smaller or larger of the style you prefer.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/EmbellishmentsPlus.html

UPDATE:  Quail Run has these Embellishments Plus! magnets on order and has posted a chart that shows the designs and sizes.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/08/sugar-skull-needle-minders-and-more.html

UPDATE:  Absolutely Needlepoint has posted photographs of their latest painted canvases. Not all are new, but all are wonderful.
http://absolutelyneedlepoint.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/hot-arrivals/

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