Every stitcher knows the feeling. You walk into your LNS on a mission; you’re there to pick up the last few fibers you need for your WIP and head straight home. Maybe you’ll go a little crazy and buy a new pair of scissors. Heck, if you’re really feeling wild, maybe a new needleminder. Then you innocently start to browse the canvas rack, when suddenly out of the corner of your eye, you spot it: the canvas you’ve been waiting ages to see restocked, hanging right in front of you.
One minute you’re simply “looking.” The next, you’re pulling it off the hanger and swearing you’re just taking a closer look. And before you know it, you’ve somehow wandered over to the fiber wall, debating which green Pepper Pot is exactly right, and every bit of resolve you walked in with has quietly disappeared.
If this sounds anything like you, you are definitely not alone!
Maybe it’s the pisces in me, but that’s what I love most about needlepoint. Perhaps not the impulsive spending, though I must admit I have dabbled, but the dreaming aspect. I love thinking through the colors and what textures would be fun to add to a piece. I love brainstorming decorative stitches and picturing what the canvas will look like finished. The possibilities feel endless and there is something freeing and special about leaning into the joy of creating.
If you’ve stopped by Third Coast Stitches recently or browsed our latest restocks, you’ve probably spotted a few Skooter Designs canvases, especially their iconic bears. They’re unbelievably cool and adorable that I couldn’t help but imagine how I’d kit each one and how I would finish them.
Boy Tennis Bear
Left (top to bottom): Vineyard Merino Wool in Celestial, Monk's Robe, Pale Honey, Jet Black, Blossom, Steel Grey, and Bright White. Right (top to bottom): Silk Lame Braid SL36; Vineyard Merino Wool in Holly, English Ivy, and Charcoal.)
While I most recently picked up the Girl Tennis Bear for myself, I couldn’t resist a little “his and hers” moment and also kitted the Boy Tennis Bear as a gift for my husband! I immediately pictured it finished as a patch that could be either ironed or sewed onto a tennis bag. Because the finished piece will be on a bag handled often, I reached for Vineyard Merino Wool for its great coverage on 18 mesh and its extra durability. I still wanted to add a touch of sparkle without it being too overwhelming, so I chose Silk Lame Braid for the tennis ball. It’ll add just the right amount of sparkle without taking away from the sporty feel of the finished bag.
The Ack Bear
Left (top to bottom): Beads #46 and 12A; Petite Very Velvet in V647 and V608. Right (top to bottom): Essentials in Oxford, Sugar Magnolia, Sockeye, Admiral, Valentine, Whipped Butter, Cocoa, Black, Signet, and White.
The Ack Bear immediately had me dreaming about a New England summer: butter dripping from fresh lobster rolls, the powdery smell of sunscreen, and rocky beaches with lighthouses in the distance. While my summer plans mostly involve trips around the Midwest, who’s to say you can’t bring a little New England summer with you?
I’m envisioning this canvas tucked into TCS’ new self-finishing boat tote, filled with a beach towel, a summery WIP, and snacks for a day along the shores of Lake Michigan. For this bear, I reached for Essentials for all of the different color changes, Petite Very Velvet for the bear itself, and blue beads for the “ACK” lettering on the bear’s salmon sweater. I also thought it would be fun to add beads to the details on the wicker basket for extra texture.
Golf Caddy Bear
Left (top to bottom): Golf Caddy Bear Needleminder, Vineyard Silk in Custard, Vine Green, and Cactus. Bottom Center: Radiance in Queens of Hearts (18) and Lemon Bar (18). Right (top to bottom): Wisper in W118 and W105; Vineyard Silk in Bright White, Heron, and Jet Black.
For the Golf Caddy Bear, I kept coming back to the classic golf style that feels polished and timeless. Taking inspiration from the iconic Masters Green jacket, I could easily see this canvas finished into a box pillow with the perfect shade of Augusta Green velvet, displayed in an acrylic tray for golf viewing parties, or set into a wooden watch box for a one of a kind keepsake for both a golf and watch enthusiast.
I leaned into using Vineyard Silk for its sheen finish, Wisper for the bear to create a soft and fuzzy texture, and Radiance for the Masters logo and flag. To make the stitching experience even more fun, I also chose a matching needleminder to tie everything together. Consider this your first little sneak peek at something special coming soon…
I hope these three kitted canvases have sparked your imagination for your next project! And if you're anything like me and can’t get enough of these bears, stay tuned for a special TCS x Skooter Designs surprise coming next month!
Until the next stitch,
Ana