Threads I Use a Lot Part 2

Here is Part 2 of "Threads I Use a Lot."  There are so many wonderful threads for needlepoint these days.  Just because a thread isn't listed here doesn't mean I don't stitch with it or that I don't like it - these are just some of my "go to" threads.  I most often stitch on 18 count canvas and there are many wonderful threads not listed here that are more suitable for 13 count canvas.  

Alchemy Silken Straw.  This is an over-dyed 100% silk thread.  It looks like a ribbon and can be laid but it can also be twisted to create texture.  I have been using it on brooms, tree branches, and pine needles.  The colors are fantastic.  

Website:  http://www.alchemyyarns.com/yarns.html 

Amy's Burmilana.  These are wool/acrylic blends in a variety of colors not available in other thread lines.  They are great for nature themes, particularly animals, birds, leaves, and trees.  The brighter colors are good for a knit look on sweaters, scarves, and hats.  On 18 count canvas I usually stitch with two strands but you could use 1 strand for a lighter look.  The gently variegated colors of this thread can creates realistic-looking animal fur when worked in interlocking gobelin.  

Website:  www.amybunger.com

Caron Collection threads.  The Caron Collection has a number of wonderful threads for needlepoint (and cross stitch).  I use Impressions frequently for backgrounds - it sinks into the canvas, stitches smoothly and doesn't overwhelm the foreground design elements.  It comes in solid and variegated colors.  Watercolours (Pima cotton), Waterlilies (silk), and Wildflowers (cotton) are also variegated threads that stitch nicely on canvas.  A lot of counted needlepoint designs use these threads.  Some of the colors are available in all of these threads, so you can do a counted design with the same colors but get different textures.  Many of the variegated colors are great for sky and water backgrounds.

Website:  http://caron-net.com/threads.html

Kreinik.  Kreinik is the leader in metallic threads designed for needlepoint.  It was the first metallic I used on needlepoint and I am very grateful that it is still available.  I use a lot of #12 Tapestry braid in my stitching.   I particularly like the variety of colors in gold and silver, which is very useful on Christmas ornaments that have more than one shade of those colors.  You can use #4 braid color 032 on snow that is painted in blues and whites - the canvas painting will show through so you can simply basketweave with a single thread.  I have also used #8 braid in an open stitch for a snow or sky background.  There are more uses for this thread than I can list here.  

Website:  www.kreinik.com 

Petite Peluche by Fabulous Fibers.  This is my new favorite thread for sheep and any other animal that needs a bit of "fuzzy."  I use 2 strands on 18 count. This works best with long stitches.  Once you fuzz the thread after stitching (run the eye of a large needle over it gently), the stitch pattern almost disappears.  For that reason you can use almost any stitch. For maximum fuzziness and fast stitching, I like to use a Byzantine that is at least 3 threads by 3 threads, Nobuko, or Triple Diagonal Parisian.  The white would also work well for Santa's beard, hat, and suit, and for fuzzy scarves, sweaters, and hats.
  
Website:  www.amybunger.com

Pepper Pot Silk.  I am so glad that Planet Earth makes this thread.  This is a 100% twisted silk that is used as it comes off the skein on 18 count canvas.  The colors (and their names) are delicious.  This is a great background thread - it covers well so if you want to change a color slightly from what is painted, this is a good thread to use.  Planet Earth makes a wide variety of needlepoint threads and they are all great.  

Website:  http://planetearthfiber.com/

Renaissance Sprinkles.  This is one of those threads that can be tricky to use unless you handle it gently.  I think it's well worth the effort.  It's hard to find metallics that have a medium shine and this thread is available in a variety of colors you can't find anywhere else. It really does look like sprinkles in a sugar cookie.  I like the golds and yellows for suns, moons, and flower centers.  Many of the colors work well in Christmas and Halloween designs.  Renaissance has many other thread lines, this just happens to be my favorite of theirs.  

Website:  http://www.renaissanceneedlepoint.com/thread/t-sprinkles.html

Soft Sensations by Fabulous Fibers.  This is a fuzzy nylon and rayon thread that has soft sparkles.  I like white for Santa's hat, beard, or fur trim; black for Halloween cats and spiders, and Garden (bright yellow green) for caterpillars and Halloween designs that need a shocking green with texture.  

Website:  www.amybunger.com

Twinkle by Gone Stitching.  This is a metallic rayon thread that I discovered when I stitched two Arizona state flag ornaments.  The Arizona flag star is a particular color orange and Twinkle had just the right color.  I have since used this thread for a number of canvases. Many of the colors are named after gemstones and that is the effect you get with this thread.  I love to find metallics like this, that give some shine but don't overwhelm the surrounding areas.  

Website:  http://www.gonestitching.net/new/index.php/supplies/threads/twinkle-threads.html

Vineyard Silk.  This is a 100% silk twisted thread that is used as it comes off the skein on 18 count canvas.  It comes in solid colors, threads spun with metallic, and tone on tone (gently overdyed) colors.  This works well on 18 count canvas.  If used as a background thread in a decorative stitch, make sure the foreground elements are stitched to stand up higher, otherwise they will recede against this thread.  I do a lot of backgrounds in darker colors for a dramatic look and this thread covers very well.  Vineyard also makes threads from 100$ Merino Wool.

Website:  http://vineyardsilk.com/ 

Chickadee in Santa Hat

My latest stitch guide is for the Julie Mar Designs canvas "Chickadee in Santa Hat."  

Threads include Alchemy Silken Straw; Burmilana; Fabulous Fibers Petite Peluche;, Kreinik Tapesty Braid; Pepper Pot Silk; Rainbow Gallery Fuzzy Stuff, Silk Lame' 18 and Splendor, and Threadworx Artisan Dyed Vineyard Silk.  

The snowflakes are metal that go through the canvas from the front and are attached with two prongs on the back.  They are available to shops from Embellishments by Cheryl & Annie, www.cherylschaeffer.com 

Chickadee in Santa Hat

Threads I Use a Lot, Part 1

When I started stitching needlepoint we had very few threads - three different wools, cotton floss, cotton perle, and one metallic.  Thirty+ years later we have so many threads to choose from that it's sometimes overwhelming!

I tend to select threads I am most comfortable with for my own stitching, because when I am not working I want to relax.  When creating a stitch guide I am more likely to select what works best for the stitch and canvas, even if it's something I don't personally like.  I always try to find ways to use new threads if possible.  One great thing about doing a stitch guide is that I can try new threads and add them to my "favorite" list.

I am starting with Rainbow Gallery because they have such a variety.  Rainbow Gallery has a lot of information about their threads, including how to use them, on their website.  Many of these threads are intended for use with decorative stitches, particularly long stitches, to get the full effect.  

I encourage you to experiment - it's a relatively cheap thrill to discover a "new" thread, or a different way to use an old favorite.  

Alpaca - great for animals.  I have all of the colors in my stash.

Angora - stitches up nicely.  Consider for animals with long hair, caterpillars (Wild Lime color), baby birds, sweaters, scarves, and Santa's beard and hair.  

Capri - a new thread with vibrant colors.  Very useful when you want a matte effect to offset a shinier thread.

Crystal Braid - this is particularly good for ice, snow, suns, and moons. 

Entice - I am loving this new thread and have been using it a lot.  The colors are outstanding.  Use short lengths and you won't have any trouble with it.

Flair - excellent for glass (windows, glasses), water, ice, and very useful for holiday ornaments.  The greens make nice leaves and stems.  And you can "destroy" this and couch it onto the canvas to make foam, smoke, and clouds.  There are a variety of oranges that I like for snowman carrot noses.  

Frosty Rays (Petite) - when I want a metallic look but don't want it to be real shiny.  I have used this for leaves and flower petals.  

Fyre Werks and Fyre Werks Soft Sheen.  When you want a metallic that's eye-popping, Fyre Werks is perfect.  I like the soft sheen version for a more muted metallic look.  Both are outstanding for Christmas ornaments and packages.

Fuzzy Stuff - I tend to use this for things like spiders and the brims of Santa hats.  I have even used it for Santa's beard.  Some of the colors are really wild and you can create all sorts of interesting effects with them.  I often use a simple stitch like a Byzantine or Satin with this thread, especially the black, because I am going for texture.   

Glow in the Dark threads - Rainbow Gallery has several of these in different threads.  As a dedicated Halloween stitcher I was really happy when I found this in one of my most-used threads, Silk Lame' Braid.  

Grandeur - my favorite #5 silk perle.  I would like to see more shops and designers support this thread so we can keep it around.  I often substitute this for Perle Cotton when stitching from a chart or stitch guide. 

Neon Rays and Neon Rays+ - this is one of those threads I like to use even though it has to be laid and it takes time to make it look right.  Putting them next to matte threads really brings out the shine.  I think this looks best with longer stitches (at least over 2).

Rainbow Cashmere - there is no substitute for this thread when you are stitching a "cashmere" sweater or scarf on a canvas.  It feels good too.  

Rainbow Linen - I really like this thread.  It has a texture and slightly matte finish that work well next to shinier threads.  Great for brooms, textured clothing, and even witch's hair. 

Silk Lame' Braid - the best new thread to come along in a while.  It stitches smoothly and there are so many colors.  This is another thread to use when you want some metallic but don't want it to be too shiny.  The petite version makes a great background thread on 18 count canvas, particularly with an open stitch.

Splendor - a great workable silk with a lot of colors.  I like that you can usually find a color family with this thread and several others in the Rainbow Gallery line - very useful when stitching in one color with different textures.  And you can "fuzz" this thread after stitching by gently brushing it - an interesting choice for birds' wings or baby animals.

Very Velvet (Petite) - oranges and blacks for Halloween designs, greens for leaves, excellent for "suede" shoes and belts.

Wisper - another great thread for animals and birds, anything that needs to be fuzzy with a matte finish, and Santa's beard and suit.  




















  

Owl Stitchery Now on Facebook

I have succumbed to Facebook at last...Owl Stitchery has a Facebook page.

In truth I didn't do this until now because I didn't have enough stitch guides to warrant a page for the business.  Since going to market this September in Dallas, that has changed.

The page has photo albums of canvases for which guides are available, and an album of my small portfolio of counted needlepoint projects.  Stitch guides are available through your local needlework shop, which can order them from the various designers or their distributors.  The counted pieces are labeled with information on where the projects can be obtained.

Stitch guides are currently in the works for two Funda Scully canvases that are made into round "boxes" with hinged lids; a 9-canvas Halloween club from NeedleDeeva; four little hilarious "Wine Sheep" from Annie Lane; Kate Dickerson's rounds spelling JOY and NOEL that are finished on her trademark painted sticks, and "Chickadee in Santa Hat" from Julie Mar & Friends. 

If you like the Facebook page I believe you can get posts in your news feed when I update the page with new guides.   

Here is the Facebook link:  Owl Stitchery Facebook

Cats Get Married - Funda Scully's Wedding Cats

These adorable cats decided to get married!

The canvas is Funda Scully's "Wedding Cats" (FS-16) with a stitch guide by Owl Stitchery. 

The canvas and stitch guide can be ordered by your local needlework shop.  Get it now and you will have time to have it stitched and finished for that special June wedding.

Owl Stitchery guides for other Funda Scully canvases are coming.

Funda has many wonderful canvases on her website:  www.fundascully.com

Funda Scully Wedding Cats FS-16