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🪡 Stitch, please
Senior Product Editor Morgan is currently working on canvases inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” | Photo by 865today
Needlepoint is having a major comeback moment, as more Americans embrace “analog activities” to replace screen time.
Etsy reports searches for “beginner needlepoint items” are up 208% year-over-year, and social media trends like #WIPWednesday (“Work in Progress Wednesday”) encourage needlepointers to share their latest projects and cheer each other on.
If you’re curious about trying it for yourself in Knoxville, here are a few easy ways to join the needlepoint resurgence.
Take a beginner-friendly class
Canvas Queen on Kingston Pike hosts regular intro workshops that include materials, hands-on instruction, and a take-home bag in the $75 per class fee.
Not ready to commit to a class? Stop by the shop, and the staff can help you pick a beginner-friendly canvas, plus the right threads and must-have tools to get started.
A new fairground and agricultural center could be coming to East Knox County — and it may eventually become the Tennessee Valley Fair’s new home. The fair has been held at Chilhowee Park since 2016, but its lease with the city ends in 2027. (Knoxville News Sentinel)
Coming Soon
Cruze Farm’s new downtown digs are open, and its old spot right next door already has a future tenant. Golden Threads, a vintage + secondhand shop from the owners of Bliss, is set to move in. (Inside of Knoxville)
Biz
Alice in Appalachia is on the move. The Wonderland-inspired bar and boutique is relocating from Market Square to Gay Street, with the retail portion expected to open first within the next week or so. Cocktails and brunch will follow. (Inside of Knoxville)
Cause
15,458. That’s how many East Tennessee students will be fed each week through Pack the Bag, the Second Harvest Food Bank fundraiser running through Monday, Feb. 23. Get involved.
Event
Tickets are still available for The Friends Book Ball, an extravagant evening of dancing, hors d’oeuvres, costumes, and book-themed cocktails benefiting the Knox County Public Library system. The party runs from 6 to 10 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 21 at The Lighthouse Knoxville.
Kids
Got a monster truck fan at home? Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is rolling into Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center this weekend, Saturday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 22. Kids pricing is available.
Health
Meet Dr. Joanne Baird, a sports medicine surgeon who truly gets what it means to stay active. A former Division I soccer player and US Navy veteran, she brings real-world experience to every patient she treats at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA) East Tennessee. See how Dr. Baird can help you with your health journey.*
Hosting an event? Spread the word to our thousands of engaged subscribers. Our business promo portal makes it easy to find options that fit your budget, from standout email headers to scroll-stopping banner ads. First-time customers get 15% with code NEW15 at checkout.
Finance
Filed your taxes yet? E-file makes online tax filing simple, and cheaper — it’s typically about half the cost of other online tax programs, so you can file without the sticker shock. Use code GET25NOW for 25% off your federal software at checkout.*
Editor’s Pick
Don’t miss the last few days of the Games. | Photo via Pexels
Shocking upsets, personal confessions, and cheating accusations. Any guesses what we’re talking about? This year’s 2026 Winter Olympics have been full of controversy, and the theatrics aren’t over yet.
The closing ceremony takes place this Sunday, Feb. 22, and WBIR will be covering the spectacle. After that, if you’re going to miss the drama, here are a few on-stage productions we’ve got our eye on:
A taste of Broadway is coming to K-Town as “The Outsiders” takes over the stage for a five-day stint at the Tennessee Theatre, starting Wednesday, April 22.
The Appalachian Ballet Company is bringing “The Little Mermaid” to the Clayton Center for the Arts on Friday, March 27 + Saturday, March 28.
Knoxville Shakespeare on the Hill returns this May through August, with performances at Ijams Nature Center and the Mabry-Hazen House.
The Buy
A set of shower steamers with 11 unique scents like jasmine, chamomile, lavender, and mint. The variety lets you tailor the experience to your mood: a relaxing spa night, a midday pick-me-up, or an energizing morning reset. Bonus: They make great gifts.
Got a green thumb? This one’s for you. The Old Farmer’s Almanac released its 2026 Last Frost Date Map, and it suggests Knoxville gardeners may want to plant a little earlier than usual this year. Bonus:Here’s how to turn your yard into a mini “national park.”
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