12 facts about Kreinik #12 Braid

In your year of becoming a Kreinik thread expert, this week’s lesson is: T is For Tapestry #12 Braid. This little power-house of a fiber is one of the most popular Kreinik Braid sizes for needlepoint, giving perfect coverage in tent stitch on 18-mesh canvas. Beyond needlepoint, it is used in bead knitting, bead crochet, embroidery, and weaving, among other fiber art techniques—even fly fishing. Here are 12 facts about #12 Braid that will impress your friends and influence people (or at the very least, improve your stitching and fiber knowledge).

The basics

1. It was created specifically for ideal coverage on 18-mesh needlepoint canvas. At the time, the trend in needlepoint was full coverage, and Fine #8 Braid was too thin for that. With Medium #16 Braid feeling too thick for 18-count, designers asked the Kreinik family to create an in-between size. Tapestry #12 Braid was born (and named Tapestry, aka needlepoint).

2. It comes in more than 200 colors. Your favorite colors in Fine #8 Braid or Medium #16 Braid are also available in #12 Braid. The range is unparalleled in needlework threads, with solid, variegated, antiqued, holographic, and glow-in-the-dark options. Want a home reference? These colors are shown in the Kreinik Metallic Color Card or Kreinik Metallic Thread Color Chart (free download here).

3. It can be varying thicknesses. This is a tricky aspect, but good to know: some colors such as the Cords, Hi Lustre, Holographic, Vintage and Glow In The Dark can be a wee bit heavier than the basic metallic colors. If they appear to be too thick to you when using these special-effect threads, just go down a thread size (to #8 Braid). 

4. It comes on 10-meter spools or cones of any size. Doing a large project and want to make sure you have the same dye lot? Simply special order a cone from your favorite needlework store. We can cone any amount.

5. If you use a holographic color, the end is going to fray.  It’s the nature of the beautiful beast. That is, holographics are unsupported fibers, so the ends tend to go loosey-goosey when braided. Simply use a clear nail polish or dab of glue on the ends to bind them together before stitching, sewing, weaving, etc.

6. It is available in an overdyed version. The fabulous company ThreadWorx makes 80 of the dreamiest variegated shades of Kreinik Tapestry #12 Braid. See them here.

7. It’s made in West Virginia. Yes, we make it in the Kreinik factory in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In fact, we’re making some right now. 

The possibilities

8. It’s a cross-stitch thread when used on 11-count Aida. Use one strand, straight from the reel, on larger fabrics like 11-count Aida, or unusual fabrics like screens. You can get your favorite colors of Very Fine #4 Braid in this size too.

9. It’s the perfect weight for bead knitting. Translucent beads are even more beautiful with the metallic braid running through them. Search “Metallic Tapestry #12 Braid” on Revelry to see gorgeous bead knitting creations. Many of Earth Faire’s Bead Soup and Bead Stew projects feature #12 Braid. 

10. You can crochet with it. Considered a super fine weight, it makes beautiful crocheted Christmas ornament designs. Use it alone for jewelry, appliqués, and other accessories., or add beads for bead crochet projects.

11. It’s a favorite among adventurous tatting enthusiasts. Imagine the snowflake ornaments you can make tatting with color 032 Pearl. We’ve seen dragons, insects, and Christmas motifs made with the light metallic (choose a basic color, not Hi Lustre, Vintage, or Cord color). Here’s a flower pendant made with the Braid: http://tattingtreasures.blogspot.com/2016/03/tatting-with-metallic-kreinik-threads.html

12. You use it to make woven bodies in fly fishing. It’s durable, waterproof, flashy. Here’s a gorgeous Woven Body Prince Nymph from the Southern Oregon Fly Tyers using #12 Braid colors 005 Black and 015 Chartreuse: http://soflytyers.blogspot.com/2017/03/soft-meeting-fly-of-month-and-tech-table.html

Share your experience with Kreinik Tapestry #12 Braid here or on Kreinik’s Facebook page. If you’ve never used it, get a spool in your favorite color and give it a try. It’s simply another thread size to have in your coloring box of fibers.