Penelope Canvas: What It Is and How To Stitch on Penelope

The NJNA newsletter I wrote about two days ago had a link to a great discussion of penelope canvas.   I wanted to mention it separately here on Blog so that anyone searching for information about penelope canvas could find it using Blogger's search engine.

https://www.jenisandberg.com/blog/2021/11/20/a-beginners-guide-to-penelope-canvas-for-needlepoint?goal=0_94f8f95c9c-c6dc461640-471272985&mc_cid=c6dc461640&mc_eid=12872b76d6

Jeni Sandberg explains what penelope is, how to stitch on it, what threads work best and how to work the smaller areas next to the larger with compensation.  It's a great article with lots of examples for you to study and the most thorough exploration of penelope I've seen.

Needlepoint shops often have blank penelope canvas.

https://needlepointjoint.com/products/penelope

Some large needlepoint shops still sell designs on penelope canvas.

https://needlepointus.com/

Canvases with pre-worked centers are also easily available on Etsy or eBay.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1278284426/vintage-penelope-needlepoint-canvas-tco1

Again, many thanks to NJNA for discovering this wonderful article!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Virtuosew's Latest Adventures Begin

Rachel at Virtuosew stitched an original design a while back that she tucked away in a drawer until her sister begged for it and turned it into a fabulous pillow. 

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/02/08/another-new-project-to-think-about/

Her sister wants a similar design so Rachel's starting to mull over the possibilities.  I'll update this as she starts to create something new, perhaps in greens....

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/05/24/a-site-visit/

And we are done!  I'm so glad this has a good home.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/07/19/last-details/

Rachel's also starting to stitch an old kit she found.  She plans to use the scale differences possible in penelope canvas to her advantage.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2021/12/28/something-that-wants-finishing/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/02/15/getting-going-on-that-canvaswork-picture/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/06/28/a-second-conversation/

Rachel's take on the dog and horse having a conversation is fabulous!

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/07/12/dobbin/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/08/02/adding-the-saddlecloth-and-other-details/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/08/23/william-himself/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/09/06/bemusements-and-puzzles/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/09/20/moving-on-with-william/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/10/04/more-thinking-about-that-border-design/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/10/18/williams-border-the-background/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/01/still-working-on-that-border/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/15/border-design-finally-nailed/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/29/border-transfer/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/12/17/raising-a-needle-at-last/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Victorian Needlepoint for Sale

Susan of SJ Designs has a lovely Victorian needlepoint for sale that illustrates the use of penelope canvas and overstitching to create realistic faces.  Click on the thumbnail photos to study this beauty.
http://sj-designs.net/product/c1860-needlepoint-tapestry-in-the-medieval-style-45-x-46/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 24, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

And You Thought Penelope Canvas Was Just for Needlepoint!

Kris's latest miniatures tutorial is how to make a 1 inch scale model basket out of needlepoint canvas.  It's a fascinating process. If you have friends into miniature making, save your scrapes of needlepoint canvas, particularly penelope, to give them to make their own baskets.
http://1inchminisbykris.blogspot.com/2018/03/1-inch-scale-sewing-basket-how-to-make.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

What is Penelope Canvas?

While you are shopping you may run across designs printed on penelope canvas and wonder how you stitch on it. Here's an explanation.
https://www.thespruce.com/double-thread-needlepoint-canvas-3861783

Penelope normally comes in 10/20 count although you can find 12/24 count.  Try working fine crewel wool or DMC cotton floss or size 12 perle cotton on it.  It is rougher than mono canvas and the holes are smaller, especially when you split the pairs to stitch smaller detail.
http://www.needleworkdiscount.com/penelope

Here's more information on penelope including the definition of gros pointe and petitpoint.
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/penelope-needlepoint.htm

Needlepoint for Fun also carries penelope canvases.  They are generally printed.  (I've never seen any hand painted penelope canvases.)   You may have seen canvases where the center design is stitched and the background is to be stitched by the purchaser.  These are generally on penelope canvas.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/shop/Kits-/Penelope-Needlepoint-Designs.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.