Showing posts with label kits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kits. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

How to Organize Your Threads

Ehrman has just posted a great video on how to organize your threads before you start to stitch one of their kits.  It's full of useful tips for those canvases that have printed color blocks on the edge of one side.

If you have a little free time, you can explore Ehrman's YouTube channel. It has some great profiles of their designers!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 11, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Self-Finishing Paperweights

Needlepoint Crimes by Nancy on Instagram has started stitching small piece that she finishes inside paperweight kits.

She uses PhotoWeights paperweights.  They come in a lot of sizes and shapes but when I wrote this in July, the online store was closed for vacation so I'm not sure what size will work best. You'll have to do a little hunting on your own.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 19, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Answers for Beginners

KC Needlepoint has a nice blog posting answering frequent questions they get from new needlepointers about the beginner kits they sell.

Their beginner kits are quite nice, not childish or too hard.  They come with everything you need, including scissors and one needle.  Needles are easy to lose, though, so I recommend you buy a packet of size 20 or 22 tapestry needles.  Tapestry needles have blunt tips.  Size 20 is a little larger than 22, but either size will work on 13 or 18 count unless you are using a very fat thread.

I have a ton of information for new needlepoints in the tabs just under the header of Blog.  Browse a bit and see what information rings a bell for you.  There are even videos and classes for those who like visual learning.  Take your time.  Wander from link to link and know that there is no rush to learn everything.  

My best tip is to cultivate a relationship with a needlepoint shop.  They will be your best buddy when you have questions, need help, or just want to talk about your new love of making something with your own hands.   

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 6, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Tips on Choosing A Needlepoint Project

Needlepoint.com's latest blog posting is called "How to Choose the Right Needlepoint Kit for You."

The shop sells a lot of kits that include threads, embellishments, stitch guide and canvas.  They also rate their kits as to difficulty level, which is helpful if you are unsure.

Also keep in mind if you are just starting out that threads you have to separate and combine again in the needle's eye is a bit harder than a thread that you just cut off the skein or card and thread into the needle.  If you have any questions, just ask.  Most shops, including Needlepoint.com, are happy to help you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 13, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Happy Stitching with KC Needlepoint

KC Needlepoint has a new venture called Happy Stitching.

The website is a one-stop shopping needlepoint experience where you can buy a kit with everything you need including self-finishing items.  They even have a section of video tutorials to help folks who've not needlepointed or perhaps not used self-finishing goods before.  It's a great idea.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Best Needlepoint Kits: A Review

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has posted an article on their blog with their reviews of what they think are the best needlepoint kits.

I don't agree with many of their choices but they make some good points about what to look for and what threads are easier for a beginner to use (although they skip perle cotton entirely, which is a great and not very expensive choice for designs).

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 4, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, December 3, 2022

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!

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

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

There's a new floral, too.

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.

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Stitch Library Project Kits

Textured Treasures now has kits available for their Stitch Library Project.

Check with their Facebook page for more information.  The designer is in Ottawa so there may be some minor shipping delays to the USA.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Finishing Practice Kits Available

Kelly of Starke Art Designs is not only a needlepoint designer, she's a finisher and is teaching finishing techniques through videos and the Needlepoint Self-Finishers group on Facebook.

Here is her YouTube page of how to finish various types of needlepoint videos.

Here is the link to the Needlepoint Self-Finishers group.  You have to join the group on Facebook to see the postings.

The latest thing Kelly's offering is a practice kit with a simple shaped design and the materials needed to finish it on her Etsy store.  

If you ever wanted to try your hand at finishing, check out Kelly's resources.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, May 23, 2022

A Tip from Elizabeth Bradley

Elizabeth Bradley has a great tip for using those color blocks printed on needlepoint kits:  tie a bit of your thread to the proper block to aid in knowing what thread goes where.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 18, 2022

Buckle Kits from Superfine Stitches

Needlepoint for Fun shows off buckle kits from Superfine Stitches.  The kits include everything you need to stitch it plus instructions for mounting the needlepoint on the buckle.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Vintage Needlepoint

Horse Country Chic is doing a little window shopping for vintage needlepoint.

These are kits with wool but you can easily substitute some or all of the threads in the kit for suitiable colors in that nice stash you have been collecting. I think most of these are from Etsy, although I haven't checked.  I'm avoiding temptation!  

These are one-of-a-kind now, so if you see something that calls to you, better snap it up.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 29, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Superfine

Superfine Stitches sells kits with silks, a needle and instructions plus some nice printed designs.

Because they aren't hand painted, they are cheaper and perfect to try out needlepoint if you are a beginner.  

Their website links to a great tutorial on basketweave.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 28, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 5, 2021

New Monogrammed Scissor Fob Kits

Abigail Cecile has added custom monogram scissor fob kits to her store.  You specify the monogram you want and the kit will arrive with Essentials wool-silk thread from Planet Earth.  This makes it a fast project for a gift or a good one for a stitcher just learning.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 30, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, December 4, 2020

Gifts for the New (or Not) Stitcher

It's that time of year when we are racking our brains, trying to find the perfect gift for a stitching friend—or for a brand new stitcher.  I thought I'd assemble a few gift ideas from a couple of shops to make it easy to do mail order.  Remember, the delivery services are overwhelmed so if you don't have a local you can visit, order ASAP.  Already the post office's Priority Mail which normally takes two days is taking six!

First up, you can't stitch without scissors or needles.  How about these cute (and sharp) little pastel scissors?  They are great for a beginner or for a spare pair, or for travel.  These come in pink, lavender and blue but only pink are in stock right now at this shop.

You always need needles.  Bohin needles are wonderful.  Gift your stitching friends an assortment and remind them to keep spares in their wallets.  Size 22 is perfect for 18 count canvas but if your buddy prefers 13 count designs, buy them size 18 or 20.  

Many stitchers love magnets to put on their canvas to temporarily park a needle until they need it again.  They come in many styles and sizes, so you can find one that suits anyone.

How about a tote bag for that project canvas, threads and tools?  These come in various sizes and protect your project when you travel.  A bonus is you can easily see which project to grab when you are ready to stitch.

Of course you can gift a friend a stitch dictionary so they always have great stitches to choose from.  Stitches to Go is a classic and it is small enough to go anywhere.  True, it doesn't tell you where to use the stitches, but this little book distills the three volumes of the fabulous Stitches for Effect series into one little volume.

Another great portable choice is Carole Lake's Just in the Knick of Time, a book with both useful stitches and information on how and where to use them.

If you want to spend just a little more, how about you gift someone a fabulous cyberclass to keep them entertained this winter?  There's something to appeal to almost anyone here.

Hope this gives you some good gift ideas, even if it is just for your own wish list.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 3, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, October 16, 2020

The Francophile and Templeton Dean

Templeton Dean Hancock has moved to France where he's purchased a chateau he's renovating.  He's decided to raise funds for the renovation through his needlepoint hobby by selling kits.  

Are you on the hunt for a 12 count kit with Appleton crewel wool that expresses your Francophile urges?  Templeton Dean's designs are for you!  Right now Templeton's website isn't ready so he's selling his designs via Etsy.  Have fun exploring these unique and colorful and VERY French designs.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 30, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

StitchBinge.com's Science Designs

StitchBinge.com has kits for beginners geared for pre-teens and older.  There are a few beginner kits for younger kids, too.
https://stitchbinge.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Ehrman Has a New Website

Ehrman Tapestry in England has updated their website.  They always have spectacular designs for their kits (printed canvas shipped with the wool needed to complete) which are usually on 10 or 12 count canvas. 
https://www.ehrmantapestry.com

If you have a favorite Ehrman designer, you can see just their work, or you can browse their collections to look at florals, birds, seaside, Asian, etc. themes.  The website is set up to filter canvases by overall size, too, just in case you only want pillows or rugs, etc.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Hello Bargello

If you are charmed by Bargello designs and want to try one for yourself, Hello Bargello has some nice tips videos and sells kits and patterns to download.   
https://hellobargello.com

Click on Learn Bargello to find the video tips.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 11, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Pucci Needlepoint

Horse Country Chic is an admirer of the original Emilo Pucci designs so she was charmed to discover there were needlepoint kits in the mid-1970s made under Pucci's supervision.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/02/preference-for-pucci.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/08/archives/needlepoint-from-pucci.html

These are no longer available but they do turn up on eBay and other auction sites periodically.
https://www.ebth.com/items/6944841-vintage-emilio-pucci-needlepoint-kits

If you want Pucci-inspired painted canvases, check Sally Corey, Kate Dickerson, Janet Gregg, and Julie Mar's offerings.
https://needlepointjoint.com/products/pucci-butterfly-bag-pbb550

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 23, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.