Kit or Canvas? How to Choose a Beginner's Needlepoint

Needlepoint.com's blog has some sensible advice when you are picking a needlepoint project for a beginner--

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/where-to-start-kit-vs-canvas

Frankly, I'd also think about whether they have done cross-stitch (they'll have some stash) and whether there's a needlepoint shop in their area so they can shop and personalize their own design.  It's fun to start someone on the path toNeedlepoint Nirvana, but you do have to think about their starting point.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meet Jen Matlock Through Coco Frank Studio

Coco Frank Studio interviews Jen Matlock on their blog.  Learn how she survived having three children under the age of two--hint, needlepoint might have been involved!

https://cocofrankstudio.com/blogs/blog/stitcher-spotlight-jen-medlock?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=Stitcher+Spotlight%3A+Jen+Medlock&utm_id=01K5VMDDNH2FQPTE44AW4ST34C&_kx=fpwRhZR6oWBP-QRpljb7pZMDJB9SEzHyKJegAKdmP8-TPQzDcjAtm1ktAvh5CV4x.XYMb7E

You can follow Jen's colorful needle adventures on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/lynndlpt/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

And the Winner for Best Bullion Knots Is--

The winner for Best Bullion Knots 2025 is definitely Judy!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DO87xFmibWs/

She was nominated by her shop, The West, in Tucson.  

https://thewestinc.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 24, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thread Price Increases in 2026

Lycette Designs alerts us to thread price increases in 2026.  Check with your favorite shop (like Lycette they may be planning to not pass some of the increases to you the customer) and plan ahead.  

https://www.facebook.com/lycettedesigns/posts/pfbid02Kpo5CyyEXARAL43g37Gnp4DyAPrYgHan1BKmwhTVDE29BZ53YHXAu4GbSVEqyK9Ll

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 6, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Shop Trend

Stitches and Style has been traveling a lot this summer, visiting quite a few needlepoint shops, and has seen a new trend in two of them--free boxes!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DO1E_fakfHU/?img_index=1

Basically, customers leave threads from their stash in a box marked Free in the shop.  These are threads they have not used (or only used a bit of) that other folks might like to try out.  So if your favorite shop wants to climb on the bandwagon, see what cards or skeins of threads you have -- or perhaps a pair of scissors you've never used, a packet of needles that you bought and found were duplicates of 74 other packets at home-- maybe it will make another stitcher very happy to use what you don't use.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.