Stitch-along Notice: I heard from Pocket Full of Stitches on Tuesday. They would love to be of service to you to get your canvas for the SAL. Right now you can order it from them for 20% off the list price. It’s a great deal on a really fun piece. Both of us are looking forward to having you join the party! If you want to order the thread kit, find the link at the bottom of this post.
Infusion Update: It went very well on Tuesday, but it was a long day. No more until January if all goes well.
I have been using my threaded needle holder (reviewed here) pretty much daily and I have a bunch of tips to share with you.
When you are loading the threaded needle, make your tails about 3″ long, this helps keep the thread in the needle as you wind. If you need to, adjust the tail length after you pull out the needle. If the thread is not going into the holder as you wind it, your needle has come unthread (that’s how I learned this). Pull out the thread and needle, and start over.
Threaded needles should be pushed in as far as you can because you can use the thread to pull them out. Don’t push empty needles that far, it’s hard to get them out without the thread.
Use the case as a holder for the needles you have used. Put them in empty slots as you go. You won’t lose needles this way.
The case has a one-way slot in it. The dome has a tab, make sure the tab goes into the slot to hold the top on securely.
The slots are numbered and I use those to load and unload. I got from low to high to load and from high to low to load.
this makes it easier to remove the needles. It’s hard for me to see the numbers, so I added a mark & an arrow with white paint on the blue above the tenth slot. Do not put these on the cream! only the blue part moves. If you don’t want to do this, the upper part of the blue will help you. Notice it has the rounded dots. Between two of these is the word Clover. Make the needle under the dot opposite Clover #1.
Be careful using multiple strands of wool in this because wool threads don’t do a good job of sticking to each other. I had huge problem using multiple needles with three strands of crewel wool in each.
Usually the needle and thread comes out easily. If it doesn’t try pulling straight out. If that doesn’t work, hold the thread near the blue ring and pull gently.
This tool is so great for car stitching. I was able to tuck into the armrest beside and stitch easily in the car, something I have not been able to do much recently because of threading needles.
This tool is not only keeping me organized, it is also helping me plan. I can decide what I want to stitch during the day then when I need a break I load up the dome and then I can stitch without having to thread a needle.
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
Wow – your second infusion already? Seems like #1 was last week, Glad to hear that all went well.
The first one gets split into two halves to be sure there’s no reactions. Next one is in January
(6 months).
Keep stitching,
Janet