Nuts about Needlepoint » cross stitch

Design Celtic Knotwork for Stitching on your Computer

Janet Perry — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:15:31 +0000

Celtic knotwork and interlacing is so lovely and complex. It always makes for lovely designs. But charting it from scratch can be tedious and time-consuming. Trolling around the web Thursday I came upon a totally cool product — a program of knotwork already charted on a grid.

That means from your computer you can just type and create the pattern. You can find (and buy) the product, Charted Grid Style Set, just past halfway at Highland Creative Stamps. While there take a look at their other sets which create knotwork in other crafts and media. Right below it there is another charted font, this one for diagonal or rectangular grids. This could be used as well as long as you use rectangular-shaped stitches.

If you want to see examples (other than the one at the beginning of the article) made from patterns created from this font, look at their companion site, The Celtic Knot Font. The picture is of machine embroidery, but think how cool this would be in needlepoint! Or what about this amazing needlepoint box top by Maria Lee, below?

There you can find examples and links to companies selling charts based on this work, tutorials both on using the software and on designing knots, a gallery of designs, and a network of people designing with the software. I’m enchanted.

I’ve already bought mine.

Blackwork Accessories Class

Janet Perry — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:02:37 +0000

Learn how to create shading in Blackwork with this checkbook cover

Blackwork can be done on any countable ground, linen, needlepoint canvas, or evenweave fabric. It’s historic, easy and fresh.

In my new on-line class, beginning, August 1 (that’s in less than 2 weeks), you’ll learn Blackwork, whether on fabric or canvas, while making three charming accessories: a change purse, pictured above, a checkbook cover, and a photo album inset.

The class is done via email and Yahoo group, so you can take it at your own pace. You’ll pick your own fabric and thread, so the finished projects will be unique. In the Yahoo group there will be several bonus patterns created for the class.

In the class you’ll learn:

history of Blackwork
how to select the correct thread for Blackwork
methods for stitching Blackwork on different types of grounds
techniques for using overdyed and hand-dyed threads
three methods to transfer designs
shading
different types of fill patterns
Blackwork borders

The class is only $20. Participants will get all lessons, bonus patterns, and instructions in the Yahoo group and an opportunity to buy discounted ebook versions of my book, Blackwork Beauties, packed with more projects and patterns.

You can sign up for the class today using the button below:

Blackwork Accessories Cyberclass Now Open

Janet Perry — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:05:31 +0000

One of three projects in this class

Explore the traditional needleart of Blackwork while making three charming accessories in my next cyberclass. Each project teaches you different types of patterns and techniques while creating small, useful items you can finish yourself.

The Change Purse, stitching pictured above, uses “crazy” patchwork to look at three types of Blackwork patterns. The Photo Album creates a variety of Blackwork borders in an unusual offset pattern. The Checkbook Cover looks at shading in Blackwork by filling patterns. The first, non-stitching lesson covers the history of Blackwork, basic techniques ans specialized tips for stitching blackwork when using overdyed threads.

Stitched on 18 count Aida or canvas using either solid or overdyed flower thread and a metallic, you can customize the project to suit your tastes. In addition to the projects, you’ll also learn about the history of Blackwork, how to choose threads for great results, and how to understand Blackwork charts and patterns. It’s a great introduction to this historic form of needlework.

The four lesson class is only $20. You can register by clicking on the button above. The class is held as part of Counted Wishes and begins August 1.

As a special bonus, attendees to the class will be able to buy my book, Blackwork Beauties as an ebook at a special price.

Rhodes Stitch Free Project

Janet Perry — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:19:35 +0000

Rhodes Stitch biscornu pincushion from Kincavel Krosses

The Rhodes Stitch (named for legendary stitcher Mary Rhodes) is a very flexible stitch. It can be any size. It can be any shape. It also attracts attention wherever you use it.

And for many stitchers learning to make Rhodes Stitches can be a problem. Kincavel Krosses has recently published this simply delightful Rhodes Stitch Biscournu. Designed to be done on fabric, it will give you lots of practice making squares and butterflies in Rhodes Stitches.

Imagine how great this would be in a multi-colored thread!

If you have never seen a biscornu, they are eight-sided pincushions often made from fabric. You can also make them from needlepoint. A lovely illustrated tutorial on making biscornu is at Own Two Hands. Another charming biscornu instruction site, with pictures of several biscornu is from Pretty Impressive Stuff.

Thanks to Denise from Craft Gossip for pointing this out.

MOL Chart Available

Janet Perry — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:43:51 +0000

Originally posted 2008-06-10 05:29:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

John Young who commented about the Railroad coasters post, has made his chart of the logo for MOL (a container shipping company) available.

This history of this little guy is fascinating and worth reading about.

It is free for you to use for any non-commercial purpose.

Announcing Needlepoint Plaids Site

Janet Perry — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:42:17 +0000

Instructions for the birthday plaid are now available

I’m am, to use a cliche, mad for plaid. In particular, I’m mad for needlepoint plaids of all kinds. I have gathered up my information and handy order forms as well as some new plaid products, and put them all together on my new site, Needlepoint Plaids.

There you can find articles about different types of plaids, basic instructions on stitching a plaid, and a shop for buying my needlepoint plaid products. You can also find a free plaid pattern.

Joining the custom tartan and personal plaid orders are a list of inexpensive already charted tartans and, for the first time publicly available, my Birthday Plaid Mini-sock project pack, pictured above.

For guild chapters and other groups, there is also information about doing a personal plaid cyberclass in needlepoint, cross stitch, or both.

Visit us today!

Thinking Outside the Box – Adapting a Chart to Needlepoint

Janet Perry — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:07:07 +0000

rose cross stitch chart from Cross Me Not

Often I’m frustrated and a little jealous. As a needlepointer there are so many charts out there for cross stitchers. They’re free and often quite beautiful. But also, alas, often not adaptable to needlepoint.

Take heart! This isn’t always the case. If you know what makes a good chart to adapt, you’ll find lots of inspiration for free on the Web.

Most importantly, look for charts that have whole stitches only. The partial stitches that make curves in cross stitch can’t be done on needlepoint canvas. Also look for charts that have a minimum of backstitching, especially for important design elements. While you can Backstitch on needlepoint canvas, it’s hard to adapt and many charts like this won’t work well.

The best charts to adapt are those that have large blocks of color. These, once outlines or counted, can be done in a textured stitch.

This free rose chart from Cross Me Not is a perfect example of this. Stitch the outlines of the petal and leaf, then the darkest part of the rose, all in Tent Stitch.

Then, using an hand-dyed or overdyed thread in a lovely rose color, find a textured stitch (there’s lots under Stitch Dictionary in this blog) and stitch the rest of the petals. Pick another stitch and a matte thread for the leaves.

There’s plenty of inspiration for the needlepointer in the dozens of free cross stitch charts on the Internet. My favorite place to find them is Denise’s Needlework column on Craft Gossip.

Charming Free Folks Art Animal Charts

Janet Perry — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:42:20 +0000

lion sampler by Aliola

Thanks and a tip of the hat to Denise at Craft Gossip for alerting me to these charming animals samplers from Aliola. There are links to the entire collection.

I just love the folk art, almost primative style of them. I can see them done as a set in a rough thread, maybe Pebbly Perle, linen, or Wildflowers and used as the basis to decorate a nursery or child’s room.

Aliola’s blog is in Russian, as are the names of the animals on the charts. but this just adds to their charm.

Easy Adaptation to Needlepoint

Janet Perry — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:07:02 +0000

Design from Friends of Type

As I’ve said in the past, letters and typefaces can be a wonderful source of inspiration for needlepoint. But rarely have I seen anything that screamed “Needlepoint!” to me as much as this design from Friends of Type.

My DD sent the link to me. It’s called “Wake Up!” and is inspired by the faces of digital clocks. Click on the link to see it full size.

I could see it done in Blackwork, as needlepoint or as Cross Stitch, on black canvas or fabric of course. I’m not fond of working on black, but I’d make an exception here.

A Needlepoint iPhone?

Janet Perry — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:18:00 +0000

iphone screen

At the moment I’m mostly free from consume lust. There aren’t many things I want but can’t have.

The iPhone is one of them. Not that AT&T works as a cellphone on Mare Island (it doesn’t) or that my life is such that I wouldn’t need one if it did. But I still want one.

Australian needlepoint and cross stitch designer Happy Threads has published a whole stitch chart (suitable for cross stitch or needlepoint) of the iPhone screen.

I could always stitch that and pretend.