"I need Balger, which thread is it?"

"I need the Balger, which thread is it?" We get this inquiry a lot, especially now during the pandemic as people are stitching older projects from their stash.

Balger was the name we used for our metallic thread line back in the 1970s/1980s. Today we have about 20 different threads in that line, but back then the number was much smaller. If your design uses that old term "Balger," we know it's probably Blending Filament, Cord, or #8 Braid. In order to figure out which of these three threads your project may be calling for, we need to look at how the thread is being used in the design.

If you have an older project — particularly a cross stitch project — check your chart or pattern for these potentially identifying factors:

• Is the Balger color meant to be combined with cotton floss? If so, it is probably Blending Filament.
• Is the Balger color meant to be used by itself, for a bolder look? It is probably Fine #8 Braid.
• Does the Balger color have a "C" in the color number? It is our thin Cord.

Of course, if you're having any trouble identifying a Kreinik thread from old, you can also email us and we'll do our best to figure it out together.

Keep in mind that some colors have been discontinued over the years. Here's a list of those colors: http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2019/04/discontinued-kreinik-thread-colors.html