Originally posted 2006-03-18 08:35:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Vineyard Silk(http://www.vineyardsilk.com/): A brand new silk for needlepoint from
Wiltex. This thread is unusual combining a bit of silk’s luster with a soft hand in a single
strand thread. The threads works on both 14 and 18 mesh canvas. There are three types
of this thread Classic (115 solid colors), shimmer (38 colors of solid blended with thin
metallic) and Tone on Tone (18 shaded colors). The skeins are 28 yards and well-priced so
they are a good value.
I really loved stitching with this thread. For people who have never stitched with silk
before, this is a perfect introduction to this fiber.
Soy Luster (http://www.thepurepalette.com): Yarns made from soy took the knitting world
by storm a few years ago and soy luster is the first needlepoint yarn made from soy. It has luster like silk, but is soft like wool. A thin thread, a single strand is used for Congress
Cloth while two strands are needed on 18 mesh. It is hand-dyed using formadehyde-free
dyes. It comes in 36 yard skeins and comes in solid or shadow colors. There are 82
colors in solids and shadows, which are three shades of a single color. Although it is
difficult to tell from a skein, the shades in the shadow colors have long runs, which makes
them easier to manipulate.
DMC Light Effects (http://www.dmc-usa.com/): Light Effects is the expanded line of DMC
metallic floss. It has six strands and can be used like floss. This is a great benefit to
stitchers looking to customize their use of metallic. There are 36 threads in six different
ranges: pearlescents (pastel, iridescent tones), jewels (precious stones colors and two
variegated colors), antiques (metal and gilt finishes for a vintage look), precious metals
(silvers and golds), flourescents (green and yellow) and glow-in-the-dark (white thread
glows after exposed to light).
In general these metallics are more difficult to use than metallic braids, they have more
static electricity and so they don’t stay together well when using several strands. In
addition, they tend to knot and come unthreaded easily. The colors are interesting and
often unique, but the thread is too delicate and difficult to be used for more than an
accent.
Aubusson Crewel Wool: Tapestry Guild has come out with a lovely French crewel weight
wool called Aubusson. It is very smooth and lovely for stitching. Two strands covered
beautifully on 18 mesh canvas is either basketweave or a textured stitch. This is one of
the nicest crewel wools I’ve used. If you are a fan of really old Medici or of Needle
Necessities overdyed wool, you’ll love this yarn, it is similar. In shaded and solid colors.
Waverly Wool (http://brownsheep.com/waverly.htm): This is a Persian wool made in the US from Brown Sheep. The company is well-known for their knitting yarns and Waverly
makes a grand addition to the line of needlepoint threads. It is three-stranded but with all
three strands being the same width, it’s very easy to split. A single strand is perfect on 14
mesh and can be used for decorative stitches on 18 mesh. There are tons of colors. with
many families having six shades in them. Nine multi-colors are also available.
House of Embroidery Floss and Pearl (http://www.houseofembroidery.com/): These
overdyed yarns are from South Africa and are available in floss as well as #5 and #8 pearl.
The different threads are dyed to match and the color range is vibrant and interesting.
One of the most unusual things about this thread is the packaging. #8 perle is packaged
with three coordinated colors on a card, each in 9m lengths. #5 perle is packaged in single
skeins with 22m per skein. The floss is packaged with two 5m skeins on a card. Some of
the combinations are shades of the same color, some related colors, but using these
threads will enliven any design.
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