January curbs your enthusiasm, doesn’t it? Holidays are over, we’re back to work and school, the cold makes your bones ache, while snow puts an icy damper on excursions. Can we choose to celebrate this most uncolorful month of January? Can we turn to our favorite indoorsy activity, stitching, to make the days brighter? Yes, let’s do that! Let me shine a few metallic threads your way, spotlighting the colors of snow. Use them to stitch some beautiful snowy scenery while tucked in to your warm home this month.
While snow is made of clear ice crystals, it often takes on color. That means you can use your creativity in picking shades of white, silver, blue, and other pearls. (Shown are Kreinik Blending Filament colors)Do you prefer your snow stitches to be pure white (like Kreinik color 5760 Marshmallow), or a little prismatic (like Kreinik color 032 Pearl)?If you like to add a blue hue to your snowflake stitches, my favorite is this soft Kreinik shade, color 194, in Fine #8 Braid or Very Fine #4 Braid. Also good (not shown) is color 1432.For those who prefer an edgier take on snow stitches, how about, ahem, yellow snow? I like Kreinik color 5555, or 191 or 091.
Snow is falling like stitches here in the Mid-Atlantic of the United States: silently, methodically, rhythmically, beautifully, one by one, forming a whole. I am trying to enjoy it. Do you like snow? Whether stitched or in real life, snowflakes can still warm the heart, and somehow make January a little brighter.
“The snow is sparkling like a million little suns.” (Lama Willa Miller)
Stitching snow can make winter downright enjoyable. Play with metallic threads to create realistic looking snow, have fun with a variety of stitches, and create something beautiful this month. Canvas by Associated Talents needlepoint company.
If you want modern cross stitch designs, XStitch Magazine is the answer to your prayers!
With themed issues featuring eclectic patterns from an international cohort of cross stitch designers, you’re bound to find something you’ll love to stitch!
Dena Lenham, aka KreinikGirl, is Creative Director at Kreinik Manufacturing Company, a family-owned, USA-based business that manufactures high-quality yarns and threads made of metallics, silks and real metals from their West Virginia factory. Dena’s monthly column, Kreinik Calling, sheds light on the fascinating fibres that we all use and love.
