Poppy Monk Tackles Round Areas in Needlepoint

Poppy Monk's latest essay is about stitching round items on needlepoint canvas.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-stitch-ideas-for-round-objects

I've noticed that when you tent stitch a round area that the left side often looks ragged because of the way tent stitches slant /.  You can counteract this by doing a \ on top of the outside edge, turning a tent stitch into a cross stitch.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 19, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Very Clever Storage Idea for Needle Minders

Annie just posted photos to NP Nation of her clever storage idea for her magnetic needle minders--she got a wooden cigar box from the local cigar place, ordered a metal sheet the right size to fit in the bottom, glued it in position, and now she has a neat place to keep her magnets!  You can see photos on NP Nation.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/6084418764968564/

It's a very smart idea and wins Annie this month's Smart Cookie Award!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 18, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Mary's Whimsical Small Stitches is Out UPDATED

Mary Legallet's fourth book, Mary's Whimsical Small Stitches, is out.  As the title says, this 6x9 inche spiral bound book covers small stitches.  There are five sections:  Classic, Balanced, Diagonal, Layered and Straight.

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

Mary's website has a bit about the newest volume in her series of stitch diagram books. It looks like volume four has QR codes so you can go straight to a stitch sample with your smart phone instead of having to type in a URL.  I can't confirm this, however.  I haven't seen the book yet.  But Homestead Needle Arts confirmed this (see Update #2 below).

https://www.whimsicalstitch.com/marys-whimsical-stitches

You'll have to order from your favorite shop.  Mary doesn't sell directly to stitchers.

UPDATE:  Just heard the new Small Stitches will start shipping in June.  i of the Needle describes the book this way:

"It's filled with the content you love, with a specific focus on small stitches. 

Content includes:
Just over 200 small stitches, including updated and sequenced diagrams from the #whimsicalwednesday blog and a cache of previously unpublished stitches from class projects and private lessons.
Guidance on overall stitch planning with detailed insight on selecting the right small stitches for your project. 

Upgraded navigation insight. Navigation insight is provided on select stitches to help a stitcher confidently manage the stitch. Insight ranges from open stitch sequencing and tricks to minimize visible threads from the back of the canvas, help with complex stitches, and/or offer explanations on how to approach variations of the same stitch (as needed). 

Five chapters of stitches, including Classic, Balanced, Diagonal, Layered, and Straight.
The popular chapter and alphabetical indexes are included in Volume 4. Full-coverage stitches are called out in the indexes, making them easier to find."

UPDATE #2:  Homestead Needle Arts has a nice mini review in their shop newsletter.  Note that now you can scan a QR code to see the stitch sample of the stitch using your smart phone!  

https://www.homesteadneedlearts.com/new-book-trunk-show-more/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 10, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stereotypes About Men and Women Stitching Persist

Dr. Jessica Grimm, a specialist in medieval embroidery, has a fascinating article on her blog about the modern stereotypes we have about male and female stitchers--which were firmly in place in the 14th and 15th Century!

https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/image-and-reality-embroiderers-in-the-medieval-period

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 17, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Attaching Canvas to Scroll Frame: The Movie

Lori of Waste Knot shows how to use masking tape to attach a canvas to the scroll frame of a Lee's table stand.  You can use the same technique to attach your canvas to any scroll frame; it doesn't have to be a Lee's brand.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrBRiCaA8Ki/

Masking tape can leave sticky residue if it is attached a while but you can cut that part of the margins of your canvas off if the tape is there long enough to leave stickiness.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 17, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.