Wrapped Chain Stitch Tutorial

Lynndlpt over at Instagram has posted a video tutorial on using wrapped chain stitch for lettering.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYdnQtssVwq/

The chain stitch is worked in Petite Very Velvet for the narrower part of the letters and regular Very Velvet for the wider parts.  The wraps over the underlying chain stitch are worked with Neon Rays.

Note that Lynndlpt used a flat iron (the kind for hair but buy a cheap one to use just for threads--no hair product on your threads, please!) to smooth the Neon Rays, a laying tool to help the Neon Rays lay flat, and Fray Check to protect the Neon Rays once they are stitched.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 18, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How Long Does It Take to Paint A Canvas?

Clare at Oz Needle and Thread explains how long it takes her to paint some of her canvases.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DX9sZWvPBNb/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved

Let Me Introduce You to Jenny Henry

Have you met Jenny Henry?  If not, you can read about her decades (Yikes!  Has it been that long?!) as a needlepoint designer here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXcHtBhkVo4/?img_index=1

If you already know Jenny, go visit her website.  She does lovely ornaments (that Bookshop is a keeper), stockings both large and small, frames, 3-D mini ornament houses, fabulous animals (the sheep and tiger are sold out but the swan's still available), and geometrics and more.  The newest designs are posted on her Instagram page (second link below).

https://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXsikajEROn/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 3, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Oz Goes to Florida

Clare of Oz Needle and Thread went to the Spring trade show in Orlando and had a blast!  If you are curious about what goes on at the trade shows, she talks about what she saw and did in these short Instagram videos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXgAa0gDIKP/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXigOvsDKNa/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXlBzLzjEdM/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXnEIiBEUqK/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Threadaholic Alert: Starry and Soie Tissee Metal

Stitch-Stash shows off a new thread called Starry on their Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWcvhyKtZSm/

Patti says Starry is an overdyed wool with a touch of silver mixed in that is for 13 count needlepoint canvas.  The label says it is 75% super washed Merino wool, 20% nylon, and 5% silver.  There are 43 yards in a skein.  The thread is from Moondrake Company, which is a knitting fiber distributor.  You can see the available colors and a closeup of the thread on the Stitch-Stash website.

https://stitch-stash.com/collections/fibers

Emily's Stitchery shows off Silk Road Fiber's brand new Soie Tissee Metal.  It's so new, it isn't even on the Silk Road Fiber's website yet.  Apparently it is silk with a strand of gold, silver or white metallic woven in.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXIkPrwjGF_/

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. 

Printed versus Hand Painted Needlepoint Canvas

Oz Needle and Thread talks about the costs of printed needlepoint canvases versus hand painted needlepoint canvases.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DV_xYonD_fM/

If the topic of the business of needlepoint fascinates you, this article by Atlantic Blue Canvas explaining their needlepoint canvas painting business might be of interest.

https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/blogs/blogs/needlepoint-painted-canvases-explained-what-they-are-why-they-matter-and-how-designers-can-scale-smarter

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

"Snow; Strong, Silent, Beautiful"

This isn't needlepoint, but Jenny Adin-Christie's winter bear piece is stunning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DV_PUQCjE59/?img_index=1

Make sure you use the right side arrow to see more detail of this wonderful embroidery.  

Jenny's website is here--

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 18, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Anchor Thread Without a Knot

Want to learn the easy way to anchor threads without a knot?  Watch the video gabrielle.ndlpt did for her Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVOf2BGES2R/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 27, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Secure Thread When Doing Long Stitches

Patricia Sone has posted a short video on her Instagram account showing us how to use a pin stitch (I call these Locking L stitches because of their shape) to secure a thread before you work a series of long stitches.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVMji6DDgP0/

It's really pretty easy.  This is a technique used in Japanese embroidery and it does hold well.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 26, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Compensation Tip

Her Heartland Soul has an interesting compensation tip for working background around lettering.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUziLG_jIrT/

Basically, she works the outside of the background stitch in columns to help keep her place as she works around the cursive letters in her saying.  Clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

About Needlepoint Trade Shows (and Much More)

Clare of Oz Needle and Thread talks about the two main wholesale trade shows for needlepoint in this interesting video.  I thought you might like to know a bit more about these shows since the Orlando show is in a couple of days.   Note that these are not open to the public.  Only shop owners, designers and tool/thread makers are allowed to go.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEvgnDD0X2/

Here is what it costs a designer to go to the Orlando, Florida show.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWPOcEVgVcq/

Here is how you put your canvases and stitched samples on display at the shows.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DW1gSksj5eb/

If you enjoyed the above, you might like to listen to the interview Fiber Talk just did with Claire.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/04/19/talking-needlepoint-with-clare-vickery-of-oz-needle-thread/

Here is the Needlepoint Angels website, in case you want to participate.

https://www.needlepointangels.com/

Here are the padded hanger canvases that Oz Needle and Thread sells.

https://www.ozneedleandthread.com/collections/hangers

Here is the finishing video plus links to where to buy the plain padded hangers.

https://www.ozneedleandthread.com/pages/instructional-videos-and-resources

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 20, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Do You Speak Needlepoint?

Do you speak needlepoint?  Needle Arts Studio in New Orleans (known as NOLA) does!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRABIAeDht9/

You can visit the shop here if you can't get to New Orleans today.

https://www.needlenola.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Make Your Own Variagated Thread: The Movie

OzNeedleandThread on Instagram has a tutorial on how to make your own variegated thread.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUoKAG4AcjM/

As a bonus, she shows how Splendor naturally comes apart into three bundles of four plies each.  Pull one bundle out and separate further, repeat until you have the number of plies you need.

By the way, here's the champagne cork canvas she uses as an example.  There is a matching needle minder!

https://shop.app/products/7182159904901/champagne-cork-pillow?fromShop=true

https://shop.app/products/7223341154437/champagne-cork-needleminder?fromShop=true

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I Couldn't Stop Giggling

Mywifeplaysmahjong and majwithbrooke have collaborated on this bit of Instagram humor involving needlepoint and mahjong.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DURkHDzDi_Z/

I couldn't stop giggling.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 4, 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.

"A needlepoint magazine for all who know it’s not just a hobby, it’s a culture"

I just discovered a new needlepoint magazine came out in April 2026.  It is called ThreadLines and the first issue is for Spring 2026.  It's going to come out twice yearly from what I understand.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10164066601904630&set=gm.26222651420718668&idorvanity=108537025890131

There doesn't appear to be a website but I found an Instagram page for ThreadLines.

https://www.instagram.com/threadlinesndlpt/

You can see a glimpse inside the first issue here-https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZ6xD0kTDd/

Look for the weekly postings full of fun news and happenings!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWdD5-XCuhs/

And look for the Life Well Stitched podcast.

https://open.spotify.com/show/60EhwwhuCUaJQ0GvT9CHJS

You can preorder from some of our lovely shops.

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/threadlines-spring-2026

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.

Printing a Simple Canvas At Home

Jhandy_creates has posted a quick printed canvas tutorial on her Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DT8oNcyEaz-/

She says she used a Epson America Eco Tank.  Unfortunately, there are many models in the Epson Eco Tank line so I can't tell for sure which one she used, but I am guessing it might be an ET-2400 or an ET-3850 which are the only ones I saw that costs less than $200.  I think the important thing is that the printer will take needlepoint canvas through its rollers without jamming.  

By the way, handy_creates has a more extensive series of videos about this process.  Start here, then use the left side arrow to move to the next video.  There are four.  (You will need Photoshop and Canvas software.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUGaJFiETsA/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Creating Smooth Curves and Circles: The Movies

Elizabeth Brooke has started posting tutorials on her Instagram account, and I've linked to two of them that are particularly relevant for those who are frustrated because their circles and curves on needlepoint canvas look jagged.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTO5uQyEarB/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTJsQ69ERXQ/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 27, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making Woven Picot Seagrass: The Movie

kb_threads demonstrates just how easy a woven picot is on her Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ7I6v-gHVP/

It really is just that easy.  Want to have woven picots you can bend to shape?  Use an upside down V-shaped piece of beading wire, poke each leg through the canvas holes and secure on the back side, then use a waste stitch at the top to secure the tip like shown in the video.  Come up with your thread in the base of your upside down V and go down at the tip to make the third leg.  Then weave as shown above!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Wrapped Back Stitch: The Movie

Colleen at The Wool and The Floss demonstrates wrapped back stitch, which gives you a smooth curved line.  It's perfect for stems, leaf veins, whiskers, even straight hair (although if you do rows of this, it is a bit tricky to wrap without catching neighboring threads).

https://www.facebook.com/reel/907245541792120

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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