End of the Year for NJNA

By the time this publishes it'll be 2026, but the New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG newsletters are timeless!

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2025/12/27/whats-happening-at-njna-12-27-25/

As usual there is lots of ANG news, plus they let us know about a new, light weight needlework stand called Miraneks.  It looks like it was meant for cross stitch and won't hold a big project or maybe even Evertites, but it looks very good for travel.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLD6EOJp2WF/

By the way, if you are interested in highlighter tape, shop around.  It's available a lot of places but the prices vary wildly.

https://marvgolden.com/highlighter-tape/?sku=APX1096-Green-1&msclkid=82f50792b929176116966ec381c844e6&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shop%20-%20Catch%20All&utm_term=4585581971649712&utm_content=Catch%20All

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Pirate + Robin Overdyed Floss

Rittenhouse has started carrying a new overdyed cotton floss from Pirate + Robin.  It is a soft six-stranded floss and "wonderful hand-painted colors."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRAQX1fgOT0/

Rittenhouse recommends 1-2 plies for cross stitch,  3-4 for 18 count needlepoint canvas and all 6 plies for 13 count.  Ten yards come to a skein.  You can see the 194 colors Rittenhouse carries on their website.

https://rittenhouseneedlepoint.com/search?q=pirate+%2B+robin&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&type=product&id=50866379555096&quantity=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 14, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Podcast from Penny Linn

Penny Linn Designs has started a podcast.  You can watch the latest on their website...

https://pennylinn.com/blogs/news/introducing-the-penny-linn-podcast?srsltid=AfmBOoqCc099ivxEfwa86FiilG9adlaKjpQ5V1CCzbEI0wIWQZ_f5vVe&_kx=_J_rdnNvxpl-p5ox0M-sxKe_dW8vBdau0gAV5QbqAX3Q5z_adzzshb4gk-wH2HbP.RWeQns

...or you can view them all from the beginning on YouTube.  You'll learn a lot about Penny Linn, and the business of needlepoint in general.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvCNGZWFvaI&list=PL0y3qkrbYvekPZu526TFePVoz0e084Bmd

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Creating Feathers with Buttonhole Stitch: The Movie

The Wool and the Floss has posted a video tutorial on how to use buttonhole stitch for turkey feathers.  Here it is on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1138795315082441&set=gm.25008479295469226&idorvanity=108537025890131

It's actually quite easy.  Note that you will use a pretty fat thread but it won't completely cover the canvas.  If this bothers you, tent stitch the feathers with 1-2 plies of cotton floss first, then add the buttonhole stitch with your fatter thread on top.  If you go this route, use a slightly larger needle than usual for the button hole stitches.  Here's the video on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ5M_Q8kdOv/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thread Chart from A Dragon's Tale

A Dragon's Tale has posted a very useful thread chart for you to print out.  It tells you a bit about various thread types (Merino wool, perle cotton, etc.)  and hints at the mesh sizes it works best on.

https://mcusercontent.com/2936be6434d47d78d94ec8f0c/files/33cd3f59-151b-bca3-57c7-898ec555a372/THREADCHARTFINISH.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.