I am super happy to see that more and more of you come to visit us for embroidery, knitting, or crochet. Our workshop shop started with sewing in 2020 and has continuously offered you new creative products. Embroidery was introduced at the beginning of 2022, then crochet, and since September 2023, knitting! 

I am delighted to have Marie Hélène and Céline by my side who are our needle and crochet experts 😊. In short, they helped me select the quality products you find on the website and in the shop. They are obviously the ones who give the courses related to these two creative arts. 

But let's get back to our sheep (speaking of wool...), we couldn't make the top 10 gifts for seamstresses (see last week's article) without making one for thread lovers... Madame crochet aka Céline, Madame knitting aka Marie-Hélène, Madame embroidery and sashiko aka Eugénie, have joined forces. Like power rangers of textile arts, we have concocted the ultimate gift list that pleases thread art enthusiasts! 

Alright, I'll stop my chatter, here we go! 

Let's start with embroidery

1. Threads and why not a prepared thread kit?

I must admit I love ❤️ my embroidery thread box. Stored on their cardboard bobbins, my colored threads form a colorful rainbow just waiting to be used. 

DMC stranded cotton skeins are truly a must-have for embroiderers. You can buy them individually or in preselected kits. The advantage of thread kits is that they have been selected so that the colors blend well together, so if you have difficulty imagining the final result of your color choices, you know that with the pre-made kits, it will be well coordinated. 

There are ones in bright colors, pastels, ombré, more natural floral colors... in short, there is a choice for all tastes. 

For the advanced and die-hard embroidery fans, we also stocked the magnificent wooden box of 120 DMC skeins. Well, there’s no denying it’s "the big gift" but if family and friends chip in, it makes a great gift that will last at least all year! 

I recommend storing your pretty threads on cards and slipping them into a very practical storage box to keep them protected from dust and direct light.  

Cotton or eco vita merino skein budget: €1.85 each
Thread kit budget: from €12.5
Storage box with cards budget: €6.99

120 skeins edition box budget: €229

2. A magnet and/or a thread cutter

Tired of losing your needle while embroidering or getting frustrated looking for it? The solution is obvious: the magnet! I am a big fan of this little tool that stops me from getting annoyed searching for my needle. 
Not only is it very useful but it’s also pretty! There are some very beautiful ones with nice patterns. 

The pendant thread cutter is also a tool I love. You can wear it as jewelry and I take it with me every time I go on vacation. It passes airport security and allows me to sew and embroider on the plane. 

Thread cutter budget: around €20
Needle case budget: €8.9

3. A classic embroidery kit, cross stitch or sashiko

You don't always feel like it, nor have the confidence to create an embroidery pattern from scratch yourself. In those cases, ready-to-use kits are really great. The designers have created patterns or reproduced artistic motifs (the Mona Lisa, Hokusai's wave...). The threads and colors are already selected... all that's left is to embroider according to the provided instructions. 

Kits are also a great deal to start embroidering. There are complete ones with: hoop, needle, thread, fabric, and instructions that are perfect for absolute beginners, children, or more advanced embroiderers. 

There are also sashiko panels, in which case the pre-printed design washes away with water once the model is embroidered. You can choose the threads you like to create your own color range (white for purists, colored or metallic for adventurers 😂). 

You will find a nice selection in our shop for classic embroidery, cross stitch (adult and child) but also punch needle and sashiko. 

Budget kit: from €7.99

And for knitters and crocheters? There is common equipment, let’s talk about it!

4. Wool needles and markers

Finding your stitches and rows becomes child's play when you have the right tools! Stitch markers are super useful and can be oh so cute! There are all kinds of designs and we love collecting them like fashion accessories. 

We have them in the shape of sheep, hearts, circles, ...

In short, there is something for every taste! 

To weave in your threads, a wool needle / tapestry needle is essential. It allows you to finish your projects neatly and that’s important. 

Budget needle: about €2-3
Budget marker: from €5

5. A beautiful ball of yarn or several small ones! 

For knitters and crocheters who like to create accessories, we offer you as a gift a nice big ball of yarn that will allow you to make hats, scarves, shawls... 

Think especially of pirouette XL yarn (200g), ombré merino (150g), or the "classic revelation" or glitter (150g). 

Amigurumi creation fans will be delighted to receive several small balls of happy cotton and happy chenille that will allow them to create cute and colorful little characters. 

Budget Happy cotton and happy chenille: €1.65

Budget "big" ball: from €10

6. Labels to customize your creations

And yes, it’s not just seamstresses who use great labels. Knitters and crocheters can also use them. 

Think of ikatee labels that bring a smile and send positive messages. 

We decorate hats, cardigans, scarves, baby blankets, layette... in short, we put it everywhere! 

Budget label: from €2.5

7. A good crochet hook

When crocheting, it is important to have good tools. We offer you as a gift ergonomic dmc hooks that tire the wrists less. 

We will choose them in different sizes depending on the wool and cotton crocheted. 

The small numbers for the finest yarns, the higher numbers for thicker yarns. 

There are also sets of hooks with different sizes that can be a nice gift for people who crochet with several yarn sizes. 

For those who want to start Tunisian crochet, we also have a nice range in a very pretty rose gold color. 

Crochet budget: from €4.7

8. sock blockers

For sock fans, there is a super nice gift to give that can also be a beautiful object... wooden sock blockers! 

Not only is it practical to block your work once finished but these blockers turn out to be very pretty decorative objects! 

Blocking budget: from €11. 

9. A good book 

Whether inspirational, technical, or pattern books, a creative book is always a pleasure! 

In the store, we have selected books:
- knitting: child, baby, adult, socks, sweaters, accessories, techniques (circular, stitches...)
- embroidery: classic, cross stitch, sashiko, needle painting, punch needle..., 
- crochet: accessories, amigurumi, clothing, interior design
- dyeing
- sewing
- upcycling
- ...

Which we have carefully selected so that you have the best of creative literature. 

The books are sold only in-store and not through our webshop. It will be an opportunity to come see us and discover our Aladdin's cave 😊. 

Book budget: from €9

10. A gift voucher

Finally, for those out of inspiration, the gift voucher remains a great option. People can use them for supplies, courses... to use all at once or several times 😊.  

There you go, I hope you liked these gift ideas!  and until then... to your needles and crochet!