Embroidery Stitches for Embellished Needlepoint

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has started an interesting series on using embroidery stitches to embellish your needlepoint projects.  The first stitch is chain stitch, great for outlines, curves and drawing attention to sections of your design you want to highlight.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/using-embroidery-stitches-in-needlepoint-part-1-the-chain-stitch

The second article in the series talks about how many fancy stitches versus plain ones to use.  You don't want to go overboard (unless you are stitching a portrait of Dolly Parton--then too much is a good thing!) and you need to consider just how durable your want your stitching to be.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/decorative-needlepoint-stitches-how-many-is-too-many

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 22, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Corduroy Stitch

Poppy Monk highlights corduroy stitch, which is perfect for backgrounds and clothing.  It makes good walls, too, especially if you have paneling.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/spotlight-on-the-needlepoint-corduroy-stitch

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 24, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wicker Stitch for the Win

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's blog has chosen to highlight one of my favorite stitches for texture and backgrounds this month--wicker stitch.  You may know it as woven stitch.  It's a very pretty stitch and can be worked in all types of threads, from twisted perles to flat strands of silk.  It is especially beautiful in silk flosses if it is laid carefully but it makes a quick and easy background in perle cotton or crewel wool as well.  

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/spotlight-on-the-needlepoint-wicker-stitch

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 15. 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Darning Stitches, Diagrams and Book Recommendations

Poppy Monk talks darning stitches in their latest article and recommends SharonG's book, It's About Darn Time, for diagrams of these stitches.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/raindrops-keep-falling-on-my-canvas-the-amazing-versatility-of-darning-patterns

If you can find SuZy Murphy's Suzy's Darn Stitches, it has a ton of darning stitch diagrams.

https://www.theneedlepointgallery.com/product-page/suzy-s-darn-stitches-by-suzy-murphy

Many books by Ruth Schmuff, Brenda Hart, and Mary Legallet have sections that are all about darning stitches, so check the books you own to see if you can find a chapter about these great background stitches.  Mary Legallet has some tips for you if you try to use them here--

https://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2015/6/9/whimsicalwednesday

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 19, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Advice for Teaching Needlepoint to Kids

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has some fabulous advise for those who plan to teach needlepoint to kids this summer.  She lays out the benefits, strategies for teaching, and tips to make it more interesting to children.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/teaching-needlepoint-to-screen-native-kids

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 24, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Why Is Tent Stitch Called Tent Stitch?

Poppy Monk tries to get to the bottom of why tent stitches are called--tent stitches.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-tent-stitch-fun-facts

By the way, if you are intrigued by the essays that Poppy Monk does on their website, listen to the interview with their founder, Brenda Stimpson on Fiber Talk.  It's fascinating!

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/04/05/poppy-monk-opens-the-door-to-needlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 29, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Two Stitches Walked Into a Bar....

Poppy Monk tackles the question of what to do when a straight stitch meets a diagonal stitch in this essay.  To sum up, generally you work the diagonal stitches first, then the straight stitches, but like everything else, there are exceptions to the rule.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/straight-vs-diagonal-needlepoint-stitches-what-should-you-stitch-first

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 22, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Eliminate Basketweave Ridges

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's blog has five tips to make your basketweave smooth.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/five-tips-for-smoother-needlepoint-basketweave

I'll add my own tip:  If you are a beginner, avoid tightly twisted perle cotton threads.  Wools and wool/silk blends are more forgiving and will spread a bit to fill the holes and lie nicely next to each other.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 9, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Four Fun Background Stitches

Let's wrap up February with some fun background stitches, courtesy of Poppy Monk.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-kits-with-fun-background-stitches

When you are trying to choose a background stitch that is decorative, make sure you can do at least three repeats of the pattern.  Otherwise, the fancy stitch won't show up well and you are better off with something small and plain.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 5, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Talk Tension

Let's talk tension--and I don't mean worry and fretting--I mean stitch tension.  As Poppy Monk points out on their blog, stitch tension is an important but overlooked means of improving the look of your stitching.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/stitch-chill-the-guide-to-perfect-needlepoint-tension

I've discovered stitching when I'm upset or worried is not a good idea if I want my stitching to match previous stitching, so having an all tent stitch project I can pick up to relax at those times works well for me since I find it easier to control tension in basketweave than in any other stitch.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Separate Strands of Thread: The Movie

Poppy Monk demonstrates how --and how not to-- separate threads that you need to ply in these two short videos.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/how-to-separate-strands-of-needlepoint-thread

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 11, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

If Your New Year's Resolution Involves Not Having to Block Your Canvas....

If one of your New Year's Resolutions involves not having to block your canvas after stitching it, this article by Poppy Monk with tips for avoiding distortion in your needlepoint is for you.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/four-tips-to-prevent-needlepoint-canvas-distortion

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stripes are Slimming

We all have heard that stripes are slimming, but they are also great for needlepoint backgrounds.  Poppy Monk has an article about six different stitches for striped backgrounds, plus a tip for making the stripes dynamic if that's what you want for your background.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-stitches-perfect-for-stripes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 26, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Poppy Monk's Five Fun Stitches

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's blog has diagramed what they describe as "five fun needlepoint background stitches."

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/five-fun-needlepoint-background-stitches

The stitches are not your usual stitches, except for Diagonal Mosaic which is a personal favorite I use quite a bit.  Note that Poppy Monk recommends these for larger areas, although if you can do three full repeats, you can squeeze them in anywhere.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 15, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needle Threading Tips

If you have trouble threading your needle, Poppy Monk's got a series of tips that might help.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-tips-threading-your-needle

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Poppy Monk Talks Balloon Stitch

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's latest blog post is all about the balloon stitch, a very useful background stitch.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/spotlight-on-the-needlepoint-balloon-stitch

It's one of my favorites but I use a smaller scale version from Brenda Hart.  You can omit the horizontal stitches under each balloon stitch element but it's very pretty if you do the main stitch in silk and the horizontals in a coordinating metallic.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Why I Stitch

Poppy Monk muses over why she needlepoints in this thought-provoking essay.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/why-i-stitch-the-unexpected-beauty-of-needlepoint

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 1, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips on Mending a Cut, Torn, Ripped or Damaged Needlepoint Canvas UPDATED

Melita lists tips on mending a cut in your needlepoint canvas in this blog posting. 

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/09/29/tips-to-fix-repair-or-mend-a-torn-or-ripped-canvas/

UPDATE:  Poppy Monk also has a tutorial on fixing cuts fast, showcasing two methods for repairs.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/save-your-stitch-how-to-fix-a-cut-needlepoint-canvas-in-minutes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 2, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Poppy Monk Talks Waves

Poppy Monk shows off a wave patterned stitch that works seamlessly between background and lettering.  It is a very simple row of straight stitches but after you work five rows, the wave starts to appear.  It is particularly great in the sample they show because you use one stitch and only change colors when you get to the lettering but the stitch looks different because of the color change.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/wave-pattern-needlepoint-stitch

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 20, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Poppy Monk's Six Small Stitches

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has a new article on their blog about six stitches that fit well in small spaces.  They have stitch diagrams and colored photos of the stitches on various canvases, too.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/six-needlepoint-stitches-for-small-spaces

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 28, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.