New Self-Finishing News

The January newsletter from New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of ANG is out and it's full of news and new products.

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2023/01/28/whats-happening-at-njna-1-28-23/

The new self-finishing wallets from Planet Earth and the retro travel tag's new swivel clip from Hedgehog caught my eye.  Self-finishing is where it's at these days, and designers are coming up with all sorts of goodies for us.

By the way, I've heard one of Evan Burrough's family members have retired from making Evertites so he's having trouble keeping up with orders.  They're still in business, just far behind.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 29, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Cyber Project, New Thread UPDATED

Blue Dogwood's new cyber project for Spring 2023 is called "Mountain Vista."  The canvas is their design and will have all sorts of lovely stitches. It also uses a new thread from South Africa--Vinnis Colours Bamboo, which appears to be a knitting yarn skeined for needlepoint.

https://www.facebook.com/BlueDogwoodDesigns/posts/pfbid0uVsLxBzb6h6gF8E2kuGK6ZbGjR447xrxD8ucV84NafXAtSM7JBfef5DS6gJkTeT5l

https://www.vinniscolours.co.za/#about

Here is the finished design.  Lovely!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/6089917431085364/

Here's all I can find about Vinnis Colours Bamboo.  Pretty colors and a nice sheen!

https://www.fabulousyarn.com/vinnis-bamboo.shtml

UPDATE:  Deborah in South Africa has lots of information about this thread.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/5858848200858956/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 28, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cosmo Updated

I am a huge fan of Cosmo, which is a Japanese six ply cotton floss, available in hundreds of colors and even in about thirty overdyes. Trish Burr is working with Cosmo's manufacturer in Japan to package color ranges for sale.  If you've ever despaired about finding 5-7 shades of a color for a design, Cosmo has what you need.  

https://trishburr.com/2023/01/27/cosmo-floss/

If you don't want to do mail order or Trish runs out of these limited edition packs, check with quilt shops in your area.  Many carry Cosmo.  I love stitching with it.  Of all the cotton flosses available, Cosmo is my favorite by far due to the huge color range, the silky feel as you stitch with it, and the quality of the cotton thread itself.

UPDATE:  Rittenhouse just posted that they stock Cosmo.  There are tons of shades!

https://www.facebook.com/rittenhouse.needlepoint/photos/a.640836352697490/5802869793160761/

Here is their website ordering page in case you can't resist.

https://myneedlepoint.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Cosmo+6+stranded+embroidery+floss

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 27, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Lori Demonstrates Using a Laying Tool

Lori at the Waste Knot* demonstrates the use of a trolley needle as a laying tool in this quick video tutorial.  Regular laying tools are held in the hand but they work the same way.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn2GIG0D6rd/

*Waste Knot is my "local" needlepoint shop and a great shop it is!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 25, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Corbet Tackles Nickel Allergies Updated

I have a dear friend who's allergic to nickel who always has to be careful about what jewelry she wears as she's quite allergic to nickel.  Nickel is everywhere, even in really expensive jewelry, so she had to coat her engagement ring inside with clear fingernail polish occasionally to keep wearing it.  She doesn't stitch but if she did, she'd have trouble with needles that contain nickel.  

Mary Corbet to the rescue! 

https://www.needlenthread.com/2023/01/problem-solving-for-stitchers-needles-without-nickel.html

Actually, it's Pam, The Needle Lady to the rescue, but I wouldn't know about Pam unless Mary mentioned her.

https://theneedlelady.com/stainless-steel-needles/

Pam also sells spiral eye needles, which are easier to thread than regular ones.  If you don't have use of two hands, glue a cork to something near your stitching chair so you can stick the needle into the cork, then thread it.  This will be a lot easier with spiral eye needles than regular ones as you won't have to insert a needle threader into the needle's eye, then add thread. Spiral Eye Needles eliminate that step.

https://theneedlelady.com/spiral-eye-side-threading-needles/

UPDATE:  Several Needlepoint Nation members recommend Pony Black Needles as being nickel free.  They have tapestry and crewel needle packs, betweens and specialty needles.

https://maydel.com/product-category/needles/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 25, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.