Updated July 23, 2023.
Do you ever feel as if metallic canvas is not quite metallic enough?
Today learn how metallic canvas is constructed and discover a way to punch up the glitz on it.
Metallic canvas is a mono needlepoint canvas with two different threads. The warp (vertical) threads are all the same cotton threads as non-metallic canvas. The weft (horizontal) threads are made from a thread that combines the regular thread with a thin metallic in either gold, silver, or opalescent. These threads are similar in construction to Silk Lame. Therefore the metallic will show up only occasionally and only if the weft thread is on top (i.e. horizontal intersections).
Recently I was making a piece on this canvas and wanted there to be more metallic. By combining an open stitch, opalescent canvas, and a thread to match the metallic in the canvas, I got a great look.
Begin by looking for the thread. Look for something sparkly. The thread here is Winter from Rainbow Gallery; other possibilities include Kreinik 032 (pearl), Crystal Braid, and Nordic Gold. Black opalescent will be harder to find but look for a black thread with an opalescent shine (colors) instead of a white, silver, or gray shine.
Now pick your stitch. Any open Tent Stitch pattern will work. I used Skip Tent but other ones, such as Background Stitch (below) that have more skipped intersections will work.
I made my stitch on the horizontal intersections. This covered some metallic intersections but left some uncovered. If you want all of them uncovered, stitch on vertical intersections.
The picture above shows the result, with some background left unstitched for comparison.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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