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.

New Stitch Monday Talks Water Stitches

Stephanie at Ridgewood talks water stitches for this week's New Stitch Monday posting.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-218/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 22, 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.

New Stitch Monday Shows Simple Decorative Stitches

Stephanie at Ridgewood dedicated this week's New Stitch Monday to simple decorative stitches, perfect for those who have mastered tent stitch and want to try something a bit fancier that isn't hard.  Mosaic stitch and cashmere stitch are perfect starter stitches when you are branching out.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-208/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitch Names Are Confusing

Mary Legallet of Whimsical Stitch talks a bit about stitch names in her weekly Wednesday posting of a stitch diagram.  Bottom line:  the same stitch may have multiple names!  (and multiple variations:  the Chilly Hollow Stitch, for example, has four-five variations I know of)

https://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2026/03/18

Stitches can't be copyrighted, but the diagrams can be and are, which is why many social media sites don't let you post a stitch diagram without the author's permission.

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.

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.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sheena!

Last summer Sheena James died after a long illness, but thanks to the generousity of her family, her wonderful stitch diagrams will live on in a new blog called Sheena's Sweet Stitches Diagrammed. 

https://sheenassweetstitchesdiagrammed.blogspot.com/

Every Saturday one of Sheena's fabulous stitch diagrams will be posted at the new blog.  Eventually they will be catagorized by type (stitches for hearts, grass, leaves, backgrounds, clothing, etc.) once I have enough items posted to create tabs for each stitch.  You are welcome to use the stitch for your own personal projects but remember to credit Sheena when you do.  She may be stitching away in heaven, but her copyright lives on.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sheena!  Miss you! 💙💚💛💜💗

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

A Stitch at a Time, by Stephanie Chase

"A Stitch at a Time" is now available from your favorite shop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DP83nPRkci-/

This is the new book by teacher and stitch guide writer Stephanie Chase.  I've not seen it myself but it appears to mix stitch diagrams with stitched examples in color with tutorials to make sure you master the stitch easily.  There are thread tips and ideas where to use the stitches inside, too.  This little movie on Stephanie's website gives you a glimpse inside the book.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0aa3a2_49c93fa3068b4ac987b2f326f678fca5/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 9, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ridgewood Explores Brick Stitch for New Stitch Monday

Ridgewood Needlepoint is exploring brick stitch as part of their New Stitch Monday series.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-189/

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-190/

Now Ridgewood looks at fancier variations on brick stitch.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-191/

Instructions for brick stitch beading are included.  Be warned, though.  Depending on the size of your canvas and beads, the beading thread and the underlying canvas may show.  That can provide some interesting shading effects or contrasts if you experiment with colors a bit.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-194/

Brick stitch is quite versatile.  You can add a bead to the stitch after your needle comes up from the back and it will settle in the middle hole.  You can work brick stitch in vertical columns, which is particularly useful if you are doing the stitch on black or dark navy where it is hard to see where to put your needle.  You can also work brick stitch over threads laid in the ditch between threads which gives a fun effect if you use two colors or add a metallic as the laid thread.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 24, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Change a Stitch's Direction: The Movie

Lori at Waste Knot shows how easily you can make a stitch diagram change direction to fit your design.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1927363554831656

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 20, 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.

A Stitch for Curly Hair

Quail Run posted a diagram of what they call Loop Stitch on their Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1191839979638071&set=a.635108881977853

It's actually turkey work, but with the loops uncut.  This isn't quite as easy as yesterday's stitch for Santa's beard, but that's not because it is a hard stitch.  It just gets difficult to see where to put the needle once you do 3-4 rows of this.  I recommend you work from the top down to make seeing easier.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

New Stitch Monday Celebrates Hanukkah and Christmas

Ridgewood celebrates Hanukkah with stitch diagrams for menorahs and dreidels.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-192/

Then they celebrate Christmas with bows, trees and holly.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-193/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Byzantine Stitches

Ridgewood Needlepoint has posted diagrams of Byzantine stitch and several variations of it, all perfect for areas that need slants, such as sleeves, leaning tree branches, etc.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-178/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

The Beetle Stitch

The Flying Needles profiles the beetle stitch on their website.

https://theflyingneedles.com/blogs/news/beetle-stitch?se_activity_id=164932747490&syclid=d2h3lmo5vdes73c85890&utm_campaign=New+12+Stitches+in+12+Months+Stitch+is+Live%21_164932747490&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Beetle Stitch is an oval stitch, great for backgrounds and large areas like a skirt.  Because it is a straight stitch, you'll need to use a thread that is thick enough to cover well.   A laying tool will come in handy if you use silk or cotton floss for this.  The sheen in silk floss is beautiful if it is well laid to be smooth.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 17, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bats, Spiders and a Pumpkin

Ridgewood Needlepoint is celebrating Halloween by posting some fun Halloween finishes plus stitch diagrams for bats, spiders and a charming pumpkin.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-happy-halloween-2/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 27, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Basketweave for Lefties (and Others)

Saturnalia Stitching posted both a stitch diagram and a demonstration video of how she works basketweave from the lower left up towards the upper right.  This is how I've seen people teach left handed stitchers to do basketweave although sometimes I do this myself in an awkward space.  Basically, anyone can do this.  You don't have to be left-handed!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DND6ndPssrY/?img_index=1

Use the side arrow to switch between the diagram and the video.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 9, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Lean Left, Lean Right, Stand Straight (Diagonal Mosaic for the Win)

Coco Frank Studio shows off the versatile Diagonal Mosaic stitch.

https://cocofrankstudio.com/blogs/blog/diagonal-mosaic-stitch?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=Diagonal+Mosaic&utm_id=01K20ASN2GTXT673265A7V99FV&_kx=fpwRhZR6oWBP-QRpljb7pZMDJB9SEzHyKJegAKdmP8-TPQzDcjAtm1ktAvh5CV4x.XYMb7E

This stitch can slant to the right or left or just run in vertical columns, making it exceptionally useful.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 7, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Stitch Monday Does Basket Stitches

Ridgewood's New Stitch Monday blog entries has taken up stitches perfect for creating baskets on your needlepoint.  Stephanie starts us out with three stitches, with both diagrams and stitch samples.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-175/

Here are three more, all suitable for roofs, too.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-176/

And the last set of basket-like stitches is here!

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-177/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 21, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.