More About Melita's Books

Melita Glavin shows off two books she got for Christmas:  New Twists on Needlework Embellishment (by Suzanne Howren and Beth Robertson) and Embellishments for Canvas (by Mary Lou Helgesen).

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/18/books-in-my-library-new-twists-on-needlework-embellishment-by-howren-and-robertson-and-embellishments-for-canvas-by-mary-lou-helgesen/

Melita found the sections on using silk ribbons especially interesting.  I own New Twists and found it interesting.  I've not seen the Mary Lou Helgesen book, but it was apparently a companion to her famous Nativity set.  Both are worth seeking out, especially if you are in Texas, which was Mary Lou's stomping ground.

The next set of books from Melita's library are all classics from June McKnight.  I find her Architectural Stitches especially helpful.  Plants and Animals is a good one, too.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/02/23/books-in-my-library-architectural-stitches-plants-and-animals-shading-and-thread-blending-techniques-decorative-backgrounds-and-more-backgrounds-by-june-mcknight/

Many shops carry June's books but if there's one you can't find, contact Old World Designs as June teaches there regularly.  They might be able to help.

https://www.oldworlddesigns.com/

Melita just purchased a copy of Mary's Whimsical Small Stitches, the latest book from Mary Legallet.  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/07/books-in-my-library-marys-whimsical-small-stitches-by-mary-legallet/

Here's Mary's Instagram page so you can see what her diagrams look like.

https://www.instagram.com/whimsicalstitch/

Melita has added Dawn Donnelly's book Transformative Stitching:  Needlework on the Diagonal to her library.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/21/books-in-my-library-transformative-stitching-needlework-on-the-diagonal-by-dawn-donnelly/

Melita has two volumes of Custom House of Needle Art's books--Quick Stitch Variations and More Quick Stitch Reference.  These are very portable with good information and clear diagrams.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/24/books-in-my-library-quick-stitch-variations-and-more-quick-stitch-reference-by-custom-house-of-needle-arts/

This is a classic book about Bargello followed by more Bargello books.  If I remember correctly, I thought Barbara Snook's Bargello books full of lovely patterns.  Dorothy Kaestner's 4 Way Bargello book has some wonderful patterns, which made my head hurt trying to follow.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/06/books-in-my-library-bargello-florentine-canvas-work-by-elsa-s-williams-1967/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/07/books-in-my-library-florentine-embroidery-by-barbara-snook-1967/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/08/books-in-my-library-bargello-a-pattern-book-by-golden-hands-1972/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/10/books-in-my-library-four-way-bargello-by-dorothy-kaestner-1974/

I've never seen Nancy Kurten's Bargello book, although I'd like to.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/15/books-in-my-library-bargello-sampler-by-nancy-noland-kurten-1975/

This is a fascinating, although confusing for me with my dyslexia, Bargello book.  I don't have trouble with random but following charts that change a lot is almost impossible for me.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/17/books-in-my-library-free-form-bargello-by-gigs-stevens-1977/

I remember this Dorothy Kaestner Bargello book as being very interesting, with a lot of great designs.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/19/books-in-my-library-bargello-antics-by-dorothy-kaestner-1979/

Melita's finished her collection of Bargello books.  Next up is Mary Shipp's wonderful design book.  Her color book is amazing if you can find it.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/28/books-in-my-library-exploring-pattern-in-stitches-by-mary-shipp/

Jane Zimmerman's books are amazing and full of ideas.  Although she is known for her silk and metal designs, this book has a lot of stitches that will work on any type of needlepoint.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/08/13/books-in-my-library-traditional-silk-and-metal-thread-techniques-on-canvas-by-jane-zimmerman/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 19, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Tilli Thomas' Reflections.

The new thread line from Tilli Thomas/Planet Earth is called Reflections, a silk/nylon metallic blend that adds a little metallic sparkle to the silk. It comes on ten yard cards.  Apparently it works best on 18 count but can be used on 13 count depending on the stitch and how comfortable you are with less than complete coverage.

https://stitch-stash.com/collections/reflections

https://tillitomasfiber.com/collections/reflections-multiple-products-collection/products/reflections

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 16, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Theadaholic Alert! Dyeing for Cross Stitch Cotton and Silk Floss

Thanks to Cheryl over at NP Nation, I've learned of the hand dyed cotton and silk flosses from Dyeing for Cross Stitch.

https://dyeing4crossstitch.com/collections/cotton-hand-dyed-floss

https://dyeing4crossstitch.com/collections/silk-hand-dyed-floss

The colors are very beautiful but heed the warning about one and done colors.  Make sure you buy enough, especially if you buy silk floss as all their silk colors are done only once.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 13, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The 25 in 25 Serendipity Needleworks Challenge

Melita is doing the 25 new stitches in 25 days challenge from Serendpity Needleworks.    She shows off the first five stitch samples with her thoughts about where and how to use each.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/11/serendipty-days-1-5-of-25/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/15/serendipty-days-6-10-of-25/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/21/serendipty-days-11-15-of-25/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/26/serendipty-days-16-20-of-25/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/31/serendipty-days-21-25-of-25/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/05/04/stardust-stitch-versus-souffle-stitch/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/05/05/new-phone-new-technology-new-level-of-detail-in-photos/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 12, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thread Exploring at Waste Knot

Lori at Waste Knot* is Instagramming about the various threads the shop carries.  It's a great way to explore various threads that are available for needlepoint, especially if you don't have a shop of your own where you can see thread options in person.

First up, size 3 perle cotton--

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8KeJT2JeE7/

Secondly, size 5 perle cotton--

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8cP-Y8sYBy/

The third thread is Planet Earth's Essentials, a strand of silk/wool perfect for 18 count that comes on 10 yard cards.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ugMFGM9ta/

Now Lori shows you Vineyard Merino Wool.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9A7GtuPlWD/

Followed by Vineyard Silk.  Both are lovely threads, by the way.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9SURiWsNII/

Lori likes Pepper Pot for 18 count but I do find it a little thick for 18 count.  If you have tight tension, you will love it on 18.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kyy1dPBaX/

Next is Kreinik.  Lori has all the sizes and explains how/where to use them here--

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9xGU5qxx9N/

Silk Road Fiber's Straw Silk comes in a huge array of colors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C92nWKKRCmR/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDxl6QtP5Zw/

Planet Earth Silk is a thicker silk for 13 count.  Very pretty colors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Iwan4vtH8/

Lori's right, Gloriana's 12 ply silk has the prettiest colors available. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-aWnc_x76_/ 

Lori shows off Silk n Ivory, which isn't the most wearable silk/wool blend, but it's very pretty and perfect for 13 count.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-sdOAjRMU7/

Next up is Soie d'Alger, a French 7 ply silk in beautiful colors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C--q6E1RnA4/

Lori carries a lot of Impressions, my favorite wool/silk blend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Qe3f2xXUa/

Boucle is a fun thread for curls, bushes and more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_irOskRQw3/

Next Lori shows off Glisten, a wool with a sparkle filament woven in. It's not as shiny as Silk Lame Braid but gives a very nice subtle gleam.  Lori uses one strand on 18 count.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_1NlzOPNnZ/

Floche (from DMC) is the next thread Lori shows off.  It's cotton and comes on big skeins, making it perfect for backgrounds.  It's got a nice subtle sheen to it. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAGmyy3RW9f/

Lori has tips for when you use Very Velvet and Petite Very Velvet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAqj4VVvOAQ/

Here are the two weights of Very Velvet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHbb2WdR3p8/

Next up is Silk Lame Petite, one of my favorites.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9PcL3SOzR/

Silk Lame comes in four sizes now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHbb2WdR3p8/

Entice is similar to Silk Lame but is rayon for the base thread.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBOshwcRTO2/

Lori has some good tips for dealing with the kinks in Neon Rays that appear after it's wound around the Rainbow Gallery card.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBhTKq7PLEG/

The next thread Waste Knot carries is Caron's Watercolours, a favorite of counted thread designers.  Lori doesn't mention the drastic color changes you can get between dye lots of these cotton overdyes; it's wise to buy plenty for your project if you are using it in a large area.

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

With the holidays coming, Lori goes fun with Fuzzy Stuff.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCXBvl9PVm6/

ThreadworX's overdyed cotton floss is a particular favorite of mine.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC6zxc1tN10/

Bella Lusso wool is quite pretty and easy to stitch with.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDM6eRgva5Z/

Burmilana is another fav.  Great animal fur!

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

Gentle Arts' Sampler Threads have lovely muted colors.  This is an overdyed cotton floss that is popular with sampler repo stitches because of the faded look you get.  Perfect for animals!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEnlCsNPYC8/

River Silks silk ribbon is lovely to work with, comes in a variety of widths and colors, and is tough as nails!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5UB9_PRsl/

Another ribbon-like thread is Rainbow Gallery's Sparkle Rays (also available in Petite Sparkle Rays).  You get a bit of sparkle and some pretty pastel colors, plus a really white white.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFLKm0cRotj/

Like Lori, I think Alpaca 18 is too thick for 18 count but it has some fabulous animal coat colors and might make great hair for people.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFdv6_tP04z/

Today Lori's talking Flair, aka Barbie's Panty Hose.  This versatile thread is a delight although you might not like how the cut end unravels.  This is why God invented the Thread Zapper, folks.

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

I like Frosty Rays.  The colors are like sugar coated candy!  Note that Lori only carries the Petite size.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGBO4hdxida/

Next is Fyre Werks.  This Rainbow Gallery 1/16 inch ribbon is a quite shiny metallic.  A laying tool will help it stay flat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGlppM9SXGr/

Lori goes over overdyed threads carried at Waste Knot:  Gloriana silk, Gentle Arts' Sampler and Shaker  cotton threads, ThreadworX cotton, Tilli Thomas Planet Earth Pepper Pot overdye, and Caron's three ply cotton Watercolours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI1daL0sYdb/

Lori now stocks the new Radiance metallic in size 18.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKiIcqHBb4K/

Lori talks very briefly about Au Ver a Soie's metallic, which she stocks in sizes 12 and 16.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNoL6M5OMZl/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 16, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.