In an article on Yahoo earlier this week, needlepoint is cited as being the crafting trend for next year.
For a change for articles of this kind, it actually cites some trends and evidence of growth in our art.
But I love the last paragraph best:
For those interested in taking up the hobby, enthusiasts say it’s well worth the time investment. Says Hoverson: “It’s portable, relaxing and, most of all, beautiful!”
Now go out there and stitch!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Well gosh darn, I am about to sound like a meanie pants. I love love LOVE needlepoint and would very much like to see it get bigger. Unfortunately, I don’t know if it will get as big as it could. I’ve been looking through the designs of all the big names, and I just don’t see all that much that would appeal to younger women in their 20s. Unlike knitting. With the exception of college/sorority letters on belts, that is. Otherwise, I see canvases that look much the same as they did in the 80s and 90s, and not in a retro way. Just traditional stand bys, that sometimes border on cheesy. I think designers ought to- and easily could- update their looks. Do more vintage style purses, cooler belts that would suit today’s looks, and headbands are under utilized. And for god’s sake, get away from “I am soooooo PREPPY!” Tucker Blair is quite enough. I think designers should consider potential clients they never knew they could attract. That’s basically what knitting did- designers refreshed their craft with younger, prettier patterns and it ceased to be an old lady craft. It’s high time needlepoint tried the same approach.