Katherine's latest book, New Crewel, The Motif Collection, comes complete with a CD of motifs, basic stitch and technique instructions, 24 motifs, and 8 crewel projects. All of the designs are noteably modern and clean looking and in my mind have a sense of tradition shining through. I love a book that's both pretty and inspiring as well as useful, and this definitely falls into that category.

I recently had a chance to ask Katherine a few questions which she graciously answered for We Love French Knots readers. Thank you Katherine! 

Bari: When did you start embroidering and how did you learn?

Katherine: My mother taught me to embroider when I was about five or six years old.

Katherine: Yes, I love Appleton wool from England. But I am looking into some the wool Made-in-the-USA. Although there are lots of people making wool for knitting and crocheting, it's hard to come by crewel wool.

Katherine: I love those little antique stork scissors, but recently came across little brass chicken scissors, and since I'm a fan of backyard hens, these are my new favorites. I prefer the traditional hardwood embroidery hoops. They only get better as they are used, like any carefully made tool.

Katherine: Start simple with a basic kit with just a few stitches and a few colors. But most importantly, try to have someone SHOW you the basics - threading your needle, making a french knot, doing the split stitch. Being shown something in person is well worth it. Take a class if possible.

Katherine: Yes, I love to organize my threads on a wooden ring. Basically, I cut a skein of wool (about 27 yards) down to about seventy 14" strands, then loosely tie them onto the ring. I give instructions in my latest book. It really helps keep them from getting all tangled and mixed up with other colors and your threads are already cut and ready to go every time you need to start a new thread. 

Katherine: I did a teaching tour this summer on the east coast and in the south. I don't have anything scheduled at the moment, but will probably do a class in New York City in the March. My website, fb, blog is a good place to find out. Better yet, I have a mailing list. That works well.

Katherine: I recently launched four new kits from my lastest book. They are on my website.

Katherine: On my website, woolandhoop.com, is a list of all the stores (both brick-n-mortar and online) that carry Wool & Hoop kits and supplies. 

Use the code CYBERBUNNY for 20% off!
Just today! So hurry on over!!

Le Sigh. I want these and there's no way in tiddlywinks I'm gonna get them. Aherm. $540.

But a girl can dream. Fancy a couple cowgirl motifs? At least I can be inspired.

An awesome ornament blog hop has started and I, of course, am late to tell you. I'm using being sick as an excuse, and it's true, I swear. I'm just coming back to life here after quilt market induced illness took me over.

So here's the lowdown. Each of this year's Aurifil Designers of the Month, including me, has designed an ornament to share with you! Here's the list of designers and places to stop to get all of them!

November 6th

Sherri Falls 

Gail Pan

Amy Ellis  

The new Aurifil Designer of the month block is up! Time to go check it out...And don't forget to post your blocks in the Flickr group!

This week, our friend Betz gave us more reasons to love her! Her Wildlife with Love collection of patterns is not only adorabe, it's features loads of handstitching and it's also charitable. The collection raises awareness and supports The National Wildlife Federation. The collection of five patterns features a quilt, applique and embroidery and 3 fabulous softie patterns... each beyond cute and SO Betz White. You just know when you see it, it has to be from Betz.

When I designed my newest fabric line, Splendor 1920, I had images of the ladies of Downton Abbey doing their beautiful embroidery work that you see on the set here and there. I'm not sure if they would have done cross-stitch, but I was anamored by the look of it. So, I designed a piece that you can both embroider and cross stitch right on top of to embellish. The only problem was, I really wanted a way of giving you some sort of kit to just grab the colors and go. So, I contacted the fabulous people of Aurifil, and asked if they might be interested in doing a box set of 12 of the colors in the line. And much to my surprise, they said yes! 

It's been a couple months coming, but I'm so happy to be able to show it to you now... A 12 spool box of 12wt Aurifil Cotton Mako threads for you to use with Splendor 1920 ... and any other projects you might see fit. It's awesome for both hand and machine stitching with a top stitch needle. I absolutely love this stuff, and I'm sure you will too.

The cross stitch piece in Splendor 1920 was designed to go from selvedge to selvedge. The thinking being, if you were to use the whole width for say, I child's dress, it would drape beautifully. The bottom part of the design features 3 border prints of differing widths and then the top part of the design is a tossed mix of cross stitch. I like the idea of using the borders for quilt borders, edges of skirts and coats, tea towels, pillows and so much more. I'll be showing you more of how it can be used on project in the days, weeks and months to come.

I know the power of French knots for fill. I love them. I could do them all day. But Kimberly Becker's work will probably have me amazed for some time to come. 

Kimberly is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (a school I'm trying to get my 16 year old daugter interested in, btw) with a degree in textile design. Currently she designs gorgeous cross stitch patterns and has a new love of French knots. She's been turning her paintings into stitched French knot art. I am thouroughly smitten.

the painting

the French knot art

Amazing right?

Check out more of Kimberly's work on her blog and on her website.

This season Anthropolgie is featuring several heavily embroidered pieces. Looks "crewel" to me! And super inspirational for us hand embroiderers. Oh, the possibilities!

This is from Anthro's Embroidered Fountain Shift:

And this piece is a closeup of The Tulipa Embroiderd Skirt

Shelly from Prairie Moon Quilts and Hazel's Diary has an embroidery quilt-along going on right now... it's already 2 blocks and counting so, hop on board! I love these beautiful blocks. And if you are interested in perfecting lots of stitches, this has plenty to try out.