I don’t know that I could whittle things down to the three I like best, so I think I’ll just tell you about three projects I love and why I love them.
- Blackwork Christmas Stocking – My Christmas stocking (the red one) was quite a departure for me. First off it was on red canvas. I rarely use bright or dark canvas because I find it hard to see. Second I used only one color of thread (Kreinik vintage gold) and I always mix things up. Third it has lots of appliqued ribbon roses on it, an idea I got from a Pat Mazu project in an ANG Chapter Project Book our chapter did years ago.
I do love it.
- Maggie Co. Stash Pillow – These pillows from Maggie Co, are reproductions of vintage folk art needlepoint. The original stitcher pretty clearly used what she had and could get from friends because it has lots of colors and the originals seem to use many kinds of thread.
I decided to take the same approach and used what I had. I think I bought 2 small skeins of yarn for a 14″ pillow. The rest I had or got from friends.
I’ve completed one other, on 18 mesh, all in silk (none bought). I have two more in progress, one mostly done and one about 20% done. There’s one other, all in reds and pinks, in my stash.
I know I’m going to buy more when I find them.
- Whimsey & grace Cross – I’m making my series of Christmas ornaments crosses and Chrismons for our Jesus tree. I used this one as a test of an idea I had for a background using overdyed threads. It’s T Stitch all the stitches in one direction done first, then all the stitches in the other direction completing the background.
I also like the subtle difference by using two different golds, one in the small crosses and one in the large.



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
I really do admire the patience it takes to do your neddlepoint. Your projects are amazing.
Thanks.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Lovely work., I just wouldn’t sit still long enough to attempt cross stitch