Monday, May 6, 2019

Adding Omph to Your Smyrna Cross

BeStitched's newest video shows an Alternating Smyrna Cross.  Jill shows how to add an extra touch to the Smyrna Cross to make it even more raised.  Very clever!
https://vimeo.com/148676053?inf_contact_key=986fe0c232d6733bbb9219661d6cbcd4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 25, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Sandy's Favorite Tools

Sandy Arthur shows off some of her favorite tools from Merry L. and Accoutrement Designs.
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2019/03/beautiful-day-in-kentucky-sunny-but.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 23, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Woodstock for Christmas 2019

Purple Palm Woodstock Christmas Logo

Purple Palm Designs introduced a variety of licensed Woodstock music festival logo canvases last year. You can see some of them here.  I think there are others, too.
http://www.knit1needlepoint2.com/shop/Needlepoint-Canvas/Needlepoint-Canvas-by-Designer/PURPLE-PALM-DESIGNS.htm

I've decided to stitch one of them as a Christmas ornament (above) and am going to show off my progress here for those who would like to stitch along.  My Woodstock Christmas ornament is 3 inches around on 18 count canvas.  I've mounted it on 8 inch stretcher bars and am rummaging in my thread stash for supplies.

Stay tuned!  (Or should I say Rock On?  LOL)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 30, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, May 3, 2019

How to Do the Binding Stitch: A Video

M's Canvashouse does a lot of finishing and has created a video tutorial on the blinding stitch.  This stitch is used for the edges of belts before finishing.  However, not every belt finisher wants you to use the binding stitch as some finishing styles don't require it.  So ask before you add the binding stitch.  You may be ruling out the finisher and finishing style you are planning to use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6kenW41SbQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Bobbin and Fred Use Knitting Yarn for Needlepoint UPDATED

Shannan of Bobbin and Fred talks about using Stylecraft's Special DK and Chunky knitting yarns for a needlepoint project based on a friend's artwork.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/03/is-stylecraft-special-dk-good.html

I don't knit so I don't know if these brands of knitting yarn are available here in the USA, but I imagine you can use any sort of yarn you can lay your hands on for a small test project like a glasses case.

UPDATE:  Liz has a warning for those thinking about using knitting yarn for a needlepoint project.  Thanks, Liz!

Knitting yarn for needlepoint? Depends. If you are looking for a special effect of some kind, use what you need to succeed! However, for "regular" needlepoint be wary. Knitting yarn tends to be a lot stretchier than needlepoint yarn and you really have to watch your tension. These folks seem to be using 10-count, so I'm guessing they are using worsted weight so, yes, you can get a very good price, if you are going to work a very large piece! It is a false economy if you are buying a big skein of knitting yarn when all you need is a few yards of something. And they mentioned machine wash & dry, so it is probably acrylic or at least a blend which would make your needlepoint piece just about impossible to block. So, can you use knitting yarn for needlepoint? Yes, but.....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.