Summer Stitch Challenge

Summer is my favorite season… I love the longer days, the relaxed pace, the fresh produce from the Farmer’s Market, heavenly heirloom roses, and, of course, juicy tomato sandwiches. Yep – I’m definitely a summertime kinda’ gal. 😉 And since Labor Day is right around the corner, signaling the unofficial end of summer, I want to invite you to join me in celebrating this splendiferous season with a brand new Summer Stitch Challenge!

Not sure what a Stitch Challenge is?

Well, it’s a fun-filled opportunity to learn more about some really cool decorative stitches that you can use to make your needlepoint canvases come to life! I cooked up the first-ever official Stitch Challenge back in 2020 and we’ve been hosting at least one every year ever since.

We’ll begin our 2023 Summer Stitch Challenge on Sunday, August 27th and we’ll wrap things up on Thursday, August 31st.

Since so many people are traveling right now on summer vacation, I’m hosting this Stitch Challenge a little differently. 😉

Every day at noon CDT, Sunday through Thursday, I’ll share a new stitch with you in an email. 

I’ll include the diagram plus the link to watch a “how-to” demonstration so you can try it yourself. (And if you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I L-O-V-E to shower my students with lagniappe, so there will definitely be surprises for you tucked into each email!)

Let me tell you a little more about how it’s going to work…

First, you’ll need to sign up so you get all of the emails.

Click here to sign up today.

Then, you’ll want to get yourself a piece of blank needlepoint canvas – either 13 or 18 mesh.

I recommend that it be 8″ x 8″. You’ll want to mount it on stretcher bars, too. (It’ll take two pairs of 8″ stretchers to make a frame.)

Here’s a picture of a sample doodle canvas for you. (And nope – those aren’t the stitches we’ll be doing in the Summer Stitch Challenge. 😉 )

A doodle canvas is a place to practice different stitches – and stitch/thread combinations – so that you can see what the stitch actually looks like. I always start a new doodle canvas with every project – and if the project is large, I might have 2 or 3. 🙂

But I digress…

Next, you’ll want to gather up some threads.

I recommend using colors that you’ll find in nature since this is a Summer Stitch Challenge. 😉

This is the perfect opportunity to go stash diving, too; use some of your leftover threads from previous projects.  Smooth single strand threads will work best.

Think Perle cotton #5, PepperPot Silk, or Planet Earth Wool for 18 mesh canvas. If you prefer working on 13 mesh canvas, Silk and Ivory, Planet Earth Silk, and Pearl Cotton #3 are all lovely choices.

And, of course, you’ll need a needle.

A #22 tapestry needle will fit the bill for 13 mesh canvas and a #24 tapestry needle will work very nicely on 18 mesh. A needle threader will come in super-handy, too. 

Wondering why you should participate in the Summer Stitch Challenge?

Well, it’s gonna be oodles of F-U-N!

And it’s free!

You’ll build your needlepoint skills and add to your stitch repertoire, too, so how can you resist? 😉

Remember – you have to complete this form to get the daily emails, so hop on over and do that now. 

Alrighty – I believe that’s all for now, my friend! 

I sure hope you’ll join me for the 2023 Summer Stitch Challenge. It’s going to be ahhh-mazing!! 

Thank you ever so much for stopping by today and, until next week, happy stitching.

XOXO!

Ellen Johnson