10 Versus 12

Ehrman, the famous British tapestry kit company, has posted a video showing the difference between their 10 count and 12 count designs.  In Britain these are called "mesh" instead of count but you get the idea.  Even if you aren't interested in the difference, it's fun to see two of their designs and see how their kits are packaged with tapestry wool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjCHyae1ykQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 25, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

UK Church Kneelers Full of Charm

Simon Martin Art takes us on a tour of church kneelers in Norfolk, on the east coast of England.  Use the right side arrows to see dozens of them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUAfk9YDaB3/?img_index=1

They are charming!  Wonder why there is a kneeler with dice?  My favorite is the tractor one.  That was stitched by a farmer's wife.  The tractor is the most important piece of machinery a modern farmer owns.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.co

 and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 31, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Handmade Aficots from Devon

Jenny Adin-Christie sells aficots handmade in Devon, England.   These are used to smooth satin stitches, particularly in whitework.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNV1RD6Mcve/?img_index=1

Some are acrylic and some are wooden.  Jenny points out that the acrylic ones can be washed to remove the oils from your hands, which is great if you are doing whitework or stitching with other very light colored threads.  You can shop Jenny's website if you are interested.

https://jennyadin-christieembroidery.com/product/acrylic-aficots?v=0b3b97fa6688

https://jennyadin-christieembroidery.com/product/aficots-in-exotic-woods?v=0b3b97fa6688

Heck, even if you aren't interested you should look at her site.  The embroidery is out of this world!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Visiting Elizabeth Bradley

Apparently one can visit the Elizabeth Bradley production facility in Wales.   They have classes and retreats in Bangor, North Wales.

https://americas.elizabethbradley.com/blogs/elizabeth-bradley/join-us-for-one-of-a-kind-experiences-in-wales-this-september

There is a video showing the packaging facility at work making kits on the Elizabeth Bradley website.

https://americas.elizabethbradley.com/pages/our-story-new

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thimbles from the Mary Rose

The Mary Rose was Henry VIII's favorite ship.  Sadly, she sank in 1545.

https://maryrose.org/

The wreck was discovered in 1971 and raised in 1982.  Guess what they found onboard?  Thimbles!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1178680860969808&set=a.559825776188656

The thimbles were used to mend sails and perhaps clothing as well.  It's fascinating to think how much we stitchers have in common with the Tudor sailors.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 5, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Anchor Tapestry Wool Discontinued

Breaking News!  Jolly Red says that Anchor tapestry wool is being discontinued!

https://mailchi.mp/jollyred.co.uk/time-to-relax-4882906?e=017cfa488f

This is a bigger deal for UK companies that use tapestry wool from Anchor for their kits, but Jolly Red will use up their stock of Anchor tapestry wool, then switch to Appleton wool (which I prefer, but I know this is a personal choice).

I've not been able to confirm this news anywhere (Anchor doesn't appear to have a website) but I don't doubt that Jolly Red knows what they are talking about.  If you love Anchor's tapestry wool, good luck grabbing what you can now!

As far as I can find out, Anchor cotton floss is not being discontinued. 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 24, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Church Needlepoint from the UK

Tracey of the Stitches and Style Instagram has been touring the UK and is treating us to ecclesiastical needlepoint from Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon...

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6jOtWVr71b/?g=5&img_index=1

...and Westminister Abbey in London.  Use the side arrows to see all the photos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6n7rbmLoWK/?g=5&img_index=7

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

For King and Country

Beth talks about the Fiber Talk interview she and Gary did with staff from the Royal School of Needlework on the restorations and original pieces they prepared for the Coronation of King Charles III last summer.

http://bethsneedleworkstash.blogspot.com/2024/05/rsn-podcast-on-fibertalk.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mounting Canvas on an Elbesee Frame: The Movie

I'd never heard of Elbesee frames, which isn't surprising as it's a UK company and I'm American.

I just stumbled across this video from Latvian Crafts that shows how to assemble the large frame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHRcQQ3ZW4g

Here is how Elbesee says to put them together.  (I love The Twizzler!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIfEpBcntgs

The Mini Clips are slightly different, as well as being smaller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db7tzccLhvY

If you are curious about Elbesee products, here is their website.  They make embroidery hoops, tapestry floor and tapestry table frames, handbag handles, and more.

http://elbesee.co.uk/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Elizabeth Bingham Wants Kneeler Photos

Elizabeth Bingham of the UK has created a website that will document and preserve Great Britain's 20th Century church kneelers for all.  The website is called Parish Kneelers.  

https://parishkneelers.co.uk/

Here is the section of the website explaining how anyone with photos of parish kneelers from the UK can help build the database.  I know that many US needlepointers have visited English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish churches and taken photos of the kneelers.  If you have photos you would like to donate and remember which church they came from, read the instructions on how to contribute here.  Note the churches they have already added to the database at the bottom of the page.  Images are not needed for those.

https://parishkneelers.co.uk/appeal/

By the way, Parish Kneelers has lots of tips for those who want to stitch kneelers for their own church.  There are links to resources for supplies, books, help designing your own, tips for repairs, even places to apply for grants.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 30, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tracy Franklin Interview

Textile Artist has a wonderful interview with the British embroiderer Tracy Franklin.

https://www.textileartist.org/tracy-a-franklin-a-break-with-tradition/

I first noticed Tracy through her goldwork but she does crewel, pulled work and many other types of embroidery which you can see on her website.

https://www.tracyafranklin.com/

If you want to read more about Tracy and her embroidery, this older article from Piecework magazine may be of interest.

https://pieceworkmagazine.com/postcard-from-scotland-durham-cathedral-a-conversation-with-embroiderer-tracy-a-franklin/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 29, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Strawberry Thief Steals Tennis Balls

Jolly Red, a UK tapestry kit company, shows how they translated William Morris' Strawberry Thief design into the Tennis Ball Thief pillow kit.

https://www.facebook.com/mrsjollyred/posts/pfbid0Laidz73ibu51mRBzDhPxUrRFJxJVbJhacwQAsRXc8nHmSqPXkSbcwnKD6vBawdCTl

Here is William Morris' original.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry_Thief_(William_Morris)#/media/File:Strawberrythief.jpg

Here is Jolly Red's printed needlepoint version on 10 count canvas with the tennis ball and the Jack Russell terrier.  Very clever!

https://www.jollyred.co.uk/product/thetennisballthief/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 16, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

British From Sheep to Needle: Fiber Talk Interview

Fiber Talk's latest interview is with the owner and manager of Appletons Wool, founded in 1835. You can hear about the transition from the ownership of the Appleton family, the challenge of replacing old machines, changing the labels from the old white to colorful maroon and grey, modernizing the running of the company, moving the company from London to outside Oxford, etc.  Then you can hear how this entirely British wool fiber is purchased from a wool merchant in Yorkshire, turned into yarns and sold to stitchers, not to mention how the pandemic and their tight supply chain has driven their business, and why they can no longer moth-proof their wools.  You'll learn which countries buy crewel wool and which buy tapestry wool.  And more!

https://wetalkfiber.com/2023/04/29/fiber-talk-with-di-caldron-and-debbie-obrien-appletons-wool/

You can browse the company's website, look at their wool crewel and tapestry threads (which you can buy directly from Appletons now as of a month ago) and check out their tapestry kit lines, here.

https://www.appletons.org.uk/

Appleton crewel is my absolutely favorite wool thread so I loved hearing about the company and how it works.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 7, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Something You Won't See at the Coronation

Something you won't see at King Charles III's coronation is the sacred annointing of oil.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/6119884861421954/

Here is more about the screen.

https://royal-needlework.org.uk/news/

There is more coronation embroidery news on this part of the Royal School's website.

https://royal-needlework.org.uk/news/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 1, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Celia Lewis Designs for UK Needlepoint Kit Company

The UK's Neirloom Needlecraft has added designs from Celia Lewis to their line.  I found two of Celia's designs available as kits here.  Love the barn owl!

https://sewinspiringuk.co.uk/collections/heirloom-needlecraft-collection-tapestry-kits

Also found the barn owl here, along with a lot of British printed kits.  I believe this seller is also in the UK.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignersNeedle?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1333683990&section_id=25054084

Celia's got a website now with the new floral design also available.

https://www.celialewis.co.uk/tapestry-and-needlepoint-kits

There's a new floral, too.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10229318279765270&set=gm.5860449087365534&idorvanity=108537025890131

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Liberty Fabric Needle Magnets

Jenny Henry now offers needle minders covered in Liberty's classic fabrics.

https://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/collections/all

A limited selection of scisssors cases in Liberty fabrics is also offered.

https://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/products/liberty-fabrics-scissor-holder-cosmo-flower

Jenny also offers needle minders covered in vintage Thibaut toile fabrics.

https://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/products/needle-minder-made-with-vintage-thibaut-toile-fabrics

Besides all of the above, Jenny Henry does fun needlepoint designs and kits.  You can read more about her starting here--

https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/02/lets-meet-jenny-henry-designs.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 12, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sara Dennis: Embroidery and Restoration

Fiber Talk interviews embroidery expert and restoration Sara Dennis.  "You are never too old to learn."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj6E8Gj5tV0

She has a studio in Lancaster Castle and also has appeared on a dozen episodes of the BBC program, The Repair Shop.  Currently the program has some seasons available on Discovery Channel.

https://saradennisembroidery.co.uk

Remember, you aren't "cutting off the wrong leg!"

https://www.instagram.com/saradennisembroidery/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 11, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Chelsea Pensioners and Needlepoint

Elizabeth Bradley has posted a bit about the inspiration behind their Chelsea Pensioners line of small designs on their blog.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/5097844086959375/

You can see the three Pensioners designs plus the poppy here--

https://needlepoint.com/pages/search-results-page?q=chelsea+pensioner

The Kirk and Bradley "garden" kits are here--

https://elizabethbradley.com/collections/kirk-and-bradley-for-elizabeth-bradley-needlepoint-kits

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 18, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Profile of Kaffe Fassett

Ehrman Tapestry has updated their website with a new profile of Kaffe Fassett.  There are lots of videos to watch about a man who has dominated the needlepoint, knitwear, and fabric worlds with his unique mastery of color.

https://www.ehrmantapestry.com/our-designers/kaffe-fassett/?fbclid=IwAR3Dr7CN_AmZ0u9ICPiFFGIESi2fK8W_UZWE2V6YJa5Iio1QYUNffI4PW3U

If you aren't familiar with the kits of his work Ehrman sells, you can click on "View All" at the very bottom of the page and see what Ehrman has available now from his designs.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Need a Bargello Pillow?

Need a colorful Bargello pillow that you don't have to stitch yourself?

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/colourfulcushionsuk?fbclid=IwAR0VlGURIKooWiQ3n4MfQH1IgbR8PzwyujetEWCIeFsHu8b3wGTSuRAGK48

These are stitched in the UK and the shipping is free.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 18, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.