Let's Talk Hair Some More

I planned to reveal Red Geisha's hair this weekend but I ran out of one of the threads I'm using and my replacement skein won't be here until next week, so I am going to be working on Luna's cloak instead. (Remember Luna from the Ladies of the Night series?  I've got miles of cloak lining to stitch for her.)  You'll have to wait another week or so to see the geisha's wig.  Sorry!

So why don't we talk about needlepoint hair in general?  Do you have a favorite hair treatment you use over and over again?  Do you have a link to an online photo of great hair you want to send me?  Are you working on a canvas right now (or plan to work on one) with hair that has you stumped?  Tell All!

Use the comments section below this article to send links, to ask questions about hair, to brag, to show off great needlepointed hair, anything you like.  It just has to be about stitching hair.  If the Comments don't work for you, not to worry.  You can email me directly at chilly hollow athotmail dotcom and I'll post your comments here for you.  Let me start with a link to a couple of great hair treatments--

A smooth Grecian style, probably satin stitches over padding.  This was stitched by Amy Bunger and I think she has a stitch guide written for it.
http://www.needlepoint.org/WhatIs/2001/ebony.php

This is masterful hair, stitched by Mary Santosstefano under Susan Portra's direction.  I think it is stem stitches in silk, carefully laid with very close attention to how hair actually flows.
http://www.needlepoint.org/WhatIs/2001/the_bird_lady.php

This hair is totally unrealistic but beautifully braided and perfect for this design.  The stitch guide for this piece was written by David McCaskill and the piece was stitched by Brenda Ramsdell.
http://www.needlepoint.org/WhatIs/2007/images/505np-21.jpg

Only a tiny bit of hair shows here but it was very carefully planned to complement the fancy fur trimmed hat.  Stitched by Pam Pabst.
http://www.needlepoint.org/WhatIs/2005/images/4003P.jpg

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

If You Are A Texan Halloween Fan...

...or you plan to be in Texas in July, you'll want to read about the special Kelly Clark Halloween classes that Needle Works is planning.
http://theneedleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/HALLOWEEN-IN-JULY.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Stitching Hair

I've been really looking forward to stitching Red Geisha's wig.  Geisha wear heavy wigs shaped into traditional styles.  This means that more traditional stitched hair treatments like the bullion curls in the little Melissa Shirley mermaid,
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2010/06/final-product-mermaid-purse.html

or the long flyaway locks mixed with beads of Kelly Clark's Elivira witch,
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/04/face-anyone-could-love.html

or the French knot curls of Baby Jesus (Mary has stem stitched hair) are not right for this design.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2009/06/madonna-and-child-clothed.html

I've stitched geisha hair before as this older Blog article illustrates.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2010/08/break-for-beauty-shop-part-eight.html

But this time I want to do something totally different.  While I ponder this, you may be interested in this video of wig styling for Kabuki theatre which shows the process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_61hv7tPU4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Terry Christopher's Stitch Guides

The CH Stitch Guides blog has a new short article about Terry Christopher's stitch guides, complete with a photo album of her work posted by Melissa Shirley.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2011/04/terry-christopher-2-point-needlepoint.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Thread Plus Wire Talk

As most of you know, DMC has a new thread that is wire wrapped with DMC floss.  This is called Memory Thread.  Kreinik also has a new thread that is their 1/16" metallic braid with wire threaded through the middle.  This is called Hot Wire.  I'm starting to see project photos using these two new threads.  First up is a note from the Needlework Retailer showing off a Kelly Clark mermaid canvas with Memory Thread details.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2011/04/under-the-sea-canvas-from-kelly-clark-needlepoint.html

The second is one of Robin King's Needle Deeva Halloween ornaments which is a witch sporting Hot Wire granny glasses.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/04/seeing-clearly-with-kreinik-hot-wire.html

What fun!  Now I need to figure out what project I have in the stash that might be enhanced by one of these wonderful threads.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com