How to Open Pepper Pot Skeins

KC Needlepoint has posted an interesting video on their website demonstrating how to open a skein of Pepper Pot Silk without tangling.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/news/dont-get-your-threads-tangled-up-learn-to-open-a-skein

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 11, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pepper Pot Silk: The Movie UPDATED

Needlepoint.com describes Pepper Pot from Planet Earth.  The thread comes in 30 yard skeins and also on 10 yard cards when you just need a touch of Pepper Pot.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/thread-talks-all-about-pepper-pot

KC Needlepoint explains how to decide whether you need a skein or a card of Pepper Pot.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/fiber-facts/pepper-pot-and-essentials-skeins-vs-cards

Needlepoint.com's also done a video is about opening a skein of Pepper Pot Silk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBFTbtg7OvY&goal=0_6eed0b10d5-93ee6d513f-579725333&mc_cid=93ee6d513f&mc_eid=3a360cb48b

I don't recommend cutting skeins into stitchable lengths ahead of time.  You never know when you'll need a longer length.  But if this is how you always stitch, you might want to follow these instructions.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 14, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All About Pepper Pot

Suzie at Enriched Stitch says that Pepper Pot Silk is her best-selling thread in the shop.  It is wildly popular, but like Suzie, I find it too thick for 18 count.  If I ply it, it works, but it will have slubs and thick/thin spots.  Regardless, you'll want to check this thread out and read Suzie's information.
http://astheneedleturns.com/thread-thursday/

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

Pepperpot Skin Again

Seeing Stars Santa with Pepperpot Face

Last November I showed off my new set of Pepperpot Silk skeins in various skin tones.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2015/11/pepperpot-skins.html

I finally got around to stitching a face with it.  Above is Leigh Design's Seeing Stars Santa from her Seashore Santa series.  As you can see, my tent stitches aren't totally even in this extreme closeup but if your stitch tension is tighter than mine and you really like Pepperpot Silk, the colors are lovely and good matches to certain skin tones.  I normally use 2 plies of silk floss for faces so I am not used to pulling threads tight as you can see.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp835x.html

I used Pepperpot's "Baked Alaska" for Santa's skin and "Cotton Candy" for his pink cheeks.  Cotton Candy isn't one of the skin tone set; Baked Alaska is.  Pepperpot Silks come in a huge range of tans so I think you could pick darker shades for the person you are stitching if they are not particularly fair.
http://www.planetearthfiber.com/index.php/needlepoint-fiber/pepper-pot-silk

This is a thread well worth adding to your stash.  I like my Santa's face and will use this again the next time I stitch a person.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 26, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pepperpot Skin

Pepperpot Silks in Skin Tones

I have a new batch of thread that I'm looking forward to using--Pepperpot Silk's new skin tones!  There are six shades which you can tell from the photograph.  I included a photograph of Melissa Shirley's new "Angel with Tree"so you can see how the colors coordinate with painted canvas faces.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?index=7865&cat=70

This design is on 18 count, by the way.  Pepperpot Silk generally does good tent stitch coverage on 18 count but I like to split each strand into three as my stitch tension is fairly loose.  As long as I am careful to cut out the thick or thin spots in the plies, it works nicely for me.    If your stitching tension is tighter than mine, you'll find a strand of Pepperpot Silk as it comes off the skein perfect for 18 count tent stitches.

The colors are (left to right) --
Baked Alaska 192
Fondant 190
Fresh 191
Powder Puff 193
Shell 195
Tippy Toes 194

I will probably use 195 and 192 for the rosy cheeks and 194 or 190 for the rest of her skin.  If you want to see larger photos, try these at the Planet Earth Fiber website.  Each skein has 30 yards of thread, by the way.
http://www.planetearthfiber.com/index.php/needlepoint-fiber/pepper-pot-silk

I've seen a lot of shops announcing they have these new colors in stock, so ask at your favorite local shop to pick up a set if you like stitching folks a lot like I do and you enjoy using Pepperpot Silk.

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

Sandy and the Skein of Pepperpot

Sandy Arthur just taught her students in her "Harvest" mystery cyber class (pumpkins and grapes and fall flowers from Robbyn's Nest) how to open a skein of Pepperpot silk.  And now she is sharing that tutorial with the rest of us.  Thank you, Sandy!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2015/05/silk-beautiful-pepper-pot-silk-i-have.html

Here's "Harvest," for those who are curious.  It's a mystery so only her students know how things are progressing....
http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/

Not to worry, though.  Once class is over and the mystery solved, Sandy will probably be willing to sell kits to those who missed class.  If you ask nicely, that is.

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

New Threads

Several new threads were introduced at Market or were more widely available after being introduced at the January Market.   I thought I'd list them all here because, let's face it!  I'm a threadaholic!

First up, new colors of Pepperpot Silk.  I like it, but it is not my favorite thread.  It is very shiny and excellent for tent stitches on 18 count. It probably works on 13 count also but I haven't tried it there yet as my current project is 18 count.   It can be divided into three parts and stitched with.  It keeps the shiny look if split into smaller plies but there are slubs so you have to watch as you stitch with it divided and not use the slightly thicker areas or you will spoil the look.  I think it gives a very luxurious shine but I think it might be too tender for upholstery items.  
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/05/new-colors-are-you-looking-to-complete.html

If you like couched threads, Access Commodities has the threads for you.  Their newest is Russian Braid (available in four shades of silver with four matching shades in silver A Ver A Soie silk to couch it), but they offer silk wrapped purl that aren't on their website.  You can see them here.  I'm waiting for the Gilt Sylke Purl myself.
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/shop/sundries/index.html

They also have a new Wire thread.  I don't know if this is for couching or if it will go through NP canvas holes.  I also don't know how stiff it is.
http://www.accesscommodities.com/img/pimages/wirethreads0.jpg

Their Filament Silk Gimp is probably somewhat stitchable but I'd couch it myself or use it on surface stitches like detached buttonhole or maybe French knots.
http://accesscommodities.com/img/pimages/filamentsilkgimp-russetbrown0.jpg

I think Rainbow Gallery has a variegated Gold Rush 14!  Rainbow Gallery has introduced lots of new colors in various lines, anyway.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2014/05/sunday-sampler-of-new-quail-run-designs.html

Pocket Full of Stitches summaries the new threads here.  They say that Access Commodities has a new fine leather cord in eight colors but that's not on the Access Commodities website.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2014/05/threads-more-threads.html

You'll notice that PFOS mentions the new Silken Straw.  This is similar to Thread Gatherer's Sea Grass except it is wider, shinier and doesn't give the effect of paper when stitched.  I've used it for tent stitches and for longer stitches.  It works either way but longer stitches show off the slight shine better. I also think it is a little cramped on 18 count but 13 count should work well.  It comes packaged for needlepointers in tone on tone and variegated colors.  This is a knitting fiber being packaged for needlepoint.  If you have a well-stocked knitting store in your area and plenty of friends to share with, see if you can pick up a skein there.  I understand there are other threads in the Alchemy Yarns line that may make the jump to smaller packaging for needlepoint.  Check out Sparky, for example.
http://www.alchemyyarns.com/yarns.html

I see lots of stitching fun in our future!

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.

Pepper Pot Silk UPDATED

Planet Earth has a new thread, a silk that is called Pepper Pot Silk.  I haven't seen it myself, but it apparently about the diameter of Caron's Impressions and covers well on 18 count canvas. It doesn't look plyable.  Janet Perry's done a review.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/pig-tail-silk-thread-review


Here is the Pepper Pot Silk website with all the colors.  Click on any thumbnail to see the skein in greater detail.
http://www.pepperpotsilk.com/

If your local shop doesn't carry this thread and you want a sample to play with, I've found one shop that carries it.
http://familyartsneedlework.com/Family_Arts_Annual_Tea_ZRTY.html

UPDATE:  My spies report that Bedecked and Beaddazzled in Baltimore carries Pepper Pot Silk.  Anyone else know other locations where it is available?
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/


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