Free Breast Cancer Awareness cross stitch pattern

As we near Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to share a beautiful cross stitch design created by Brooke Nolan of Brooke's Books Publishing for Kreinik thread fans several years ago. See the chart, instructions and color key below. 

 

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New Kreinik Celadon color

We are so excited to introduce our new metallic color 5730 Celadon. This color was created by a group of designers who wanted a soft sage green to match popular needlepoint painted canvases. Of course, it's not just for needlepoint. Use it in cross stitch, embroidery, fiber art, mixed media, anywhere!

The new color comes in these Kreinik sizes:

• Very Fine #4 Braid
• Fine #8 Braid
• Tapestry #12 Braid
• Medium #16 Braid
• 1/16" Ribbon

Choose the Kreinik thread size  based on what technique you're doing, what stitches you're doing, what fabric or canvas size you're working on, etc. For more educational info on Kreinik threads, visit http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Metallic-Thread-c-497/

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New Kreinik metallic ribbon colors

Kreinik 1/16" 'Ribbon now comes in more colors! This thread is popular for needlepoint, embroidery, crazy quilting, and other fiber arts. The new colors are:

• 016L Olive Moss
• 9591 Buttercup
• 9592 Peony
• 9593 Wisteria
• 9594 Bluebonnet

These colors also come in our Braid sizes. Check your favorite needlework store or www.kreinik.com to order.

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Doug Kreinik's famous Thread Talk is coming to Colorado in October

Learn everything you need to know about Kreinik threads direct from the maker himself when he comes to A Stitching Shop in Denver this October. Entertaining stories, fiber knowledge, and hundreds of actual samples/models will get you excited about your own creativity and projects. 

The details:

• Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 1 PM – 4 PM MDT
• At A Stitching Shop, 4444 Morrison Road, Denver, Colorado 80219
• Get cost info and reserve your spot by contacting A Stitching Shop, (303) 727-8500

This is a fabulous needlework store serving Colorado residents and more (they ship!). Owner Christine Hause carries a huge Kreinik thread selection (look at all of those boxes of Kreinik threads!) and will order cones or other special put-ups. Be sure to visit when you are passing through Denver, visiting friends or family in the area, or just moving to town. And hope to see you in thread class!

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How Kreinik and Elvis are connected

Doug Kreinik is full of interesting information. On a recent trip to Cleveland, Ohio, for a needlework trade show, he revealed a pretty cool Kreinik connection to Elvis Presley.

In the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, an area is dedicated to singer/actor/icon Presley. The artifacts on display include a motorcycle, his guitars, and various items of clothing. As Doug and Kreinik Creative Director Dena Lenham stepped up to this leather jacket in the Elvis exhibit, Doug read the description. "Oh, Nudie Cohn. Nudie was a customer of my parents' when the company started," Doug casually mentioned.

Nudie, Nudie Cohn...the famed tailor-to-the-stars who also created Elvis' gold lame suit, was a customer of Jerry and Estelle Kreinik's little Kreinik Manufacturing Company! Both Jerry and Estelle were professionally involved in textiles—and Estelle was a professor of couturier design—before starting the thread company, so they were well versed in clothiers' embellishment needs. Since 1972, Kreinik threads have been worn in all kinds of places by all kinds of people. Today, the company still sells threads to top fashion houses in New York as well as costume production companies.

Elvis passed away in 1977, so he probably didn't wear any Kreinik threads (although we don't know for sure). We like to think he would have loved the sparkle.

For more on Nudie Cohn, visit the official website, run by his granddaughter: http://www.nudiesrodeotailor.com/

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About those Kreinik spool labels

We hear you: It's really annoying when the labels come off the Kreinik thread spools. We're here to assure you: we're working on a solution. 

Why do the labels fall off?

1. Most of the spool end is hollow. We were forward-thinking back in the 1980s with our snap-spool mechanism design, creating a spool with a lip that opens so you can wrap the thread end around it, close it, and never have flyway thread ends tangling up your thread drawer. However, that unique design comes with a price: a hollow spool. There's not really a lot of space for a label to grab onto, not a huge area for sticking. These hollow spools are also required for our thread-winding machines. In hindsight, we would have created spools in which we could print info right on them. But for now we're stuck, no pun intended, with the spool design. 
2. The glue may not be aggressive enough. We print only a small amount of labels at a time to keep the glue from deteriorating in storage, and keep those in a temperature controlled environment. However, humidity levels can affect the hardiness of adhesive. Also storage conditions and weather conditions in shops and homes can affect the glue.
3. Kreinik labels are applied by hand. A few years ago our label machine broke down, and we were unable to fix it. Since then, every single spool has been hand labeled. You definitely get the personal touch from us here at Kreinik. However, perhaps every once in awhile the labels aren't attached well enough. 

So what can be done?

The biggest effort right now is fixing our label machine. Our engineer Martin is actively working to get it going again. The machine uses pressure to push the labels on, and it will be a stronger bond than hand labeling. We are also investigating other adhesive options for our pre-printed labels to make sure we have the strongest bond available. 

Other stitchers recommend...

In the meanwhile, if you have spools with labels about to come off, look for some small baggies at craft stores (in the jewelry section), drug stores (for single use medicine storage) or office supply stores. Some stitchers use Floss Away storage bags. One stitcher tucks the label inside the spool. We suggest using double-sided tape or your own glue to reattach (tuck some cotton balls or scraps of something inside the spool to give a greater area for the adhesive to 'grab'). 

We appreciate your comments and your patience. Feel free to contact us at any time if you have questions or concerns about Kreinik products—or if you need help identifying a color that has lost its label. We also have a downloadable color chart for quick reference, or an actual thread color card with actual thread samples. 

Thank you for using Kreinik to make your creative ideas come to life! 

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Do you have the newest Kreinik color list?

Kreinik's newest metallic colors on a needlepoint canvas by Robbyn's Nest Designs

With the recent addition of our new metallic colors—9591 Buttercup, 9592 Peony, 9594 Bluebonnet, not to mention the fabulous 096 Sea Glass from last year—we just updated the Kreinik Metallic Color Reference Chart. Photo swatches of all colors in all metallic thread sizes are shown on one side. The color chart also tells you which colors come in which thread sizes, since not all colors are available in all sizes. Download your copy here: https://www.kreinik.com/PDF/2019_11x17_metallic_chart.pdf

Download a copy of our color chart here: https://www.kreinik.com/PDF/2019_11x17_metallic_chart.pdf

Keep the color chart download on your phone, tablet or computer as a quick reference guide. If you choose to print it at home, you will need 11" x 17" paper; it is double-sided with full color on one side and black and white on the other. If you are unable to print at home and want a printed version, send a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to: Kreinik Metallic Color Chart, PO Box 1966, Parkersburg WV 26102 (your envelope must have appropriate postage; one copy per envelope; no emailed versions available).  

Even better...

If you want the truest color reference, treat yourself to the Kreinik Metallic Thread Color Card. This flip-book has actual threads wrapped on cards, so you can match your canvases and projects exactly. Ask your favorite needlework store to order one for you, or get one here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Kreinik-Metallic-Thread-Color-Card.html

The Kreinik Metallic Color Card features actual thread samples for the truest color representation.

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Discontinued Kreinik Thread Colors

We hate to discontinue any thread color, but sometimes it is required due to manufacturing problems (like, we can't get the raw material to transform it into your favorite Kreinik threads). Back in 2014 we posted a list of discontinued colors, then a reminder list with conversion suggestions in 2017. Every week, however, we get inquiries from stitchers, shops and designers saying "I didn't know that color was discontinued." So we thought this would be the perfect time to post it again. 

We suggest printing it, folding it up and keeping it with your thread stash. Even better, add a mark to the labels on spools of discontinued colors; that way you can keep them but know they can't be replaced. It's spring cleaning time, perfect for rearranging your Kreinik stash and making note of colors no longer in the line-up. You will find the list of discontinued colors below.

Great tips for stitchers who love buying thread stashes on Ebay, at estate sales, and Goodwill/Salvation Army stores: 

1. The thread dye lot most likely has changed. Mark those threads some how so you know and won't get caught running out mid project.
2. Some of those threads may be discontinued. Google and contact the manufacturer to double check before you use them in a project (and end up needing more). 

Discontinued Kreinik colors and suggested substitutions (NM means no close match)

• 031L Berry Red = 153V Vintage Burgundy

• 012L Lavendar-tric = 012 Purple

• 034 Confetti = NM

• 041 Confetti Pink = 044 Confetti Blue

• 042 Confetti Fuchsia = NM 

• 043 Confetti Green = NM

• 070 Mardi Gras = 5011 Elfin Green

• 195 Sunburst = 095 Starburst

• 235 Red Ember = 307 Deep Coral

• 271 Plum = 3223 Ametrine

• 393 Silver Night = 622 Wedgewood Blue

• 664 Magenta Blue = NM 

• 3240 Opal = 095 Starburst

• 3508 Rhumba Green = 829 Mint Julep

• 3509 Cha Cha Verde = 008HL Green Hi Lustre

• 3540 Bolero Black = 005 Black

• 4001 Green Tea = 4201 Sugar Cane

• 4002 Spiced Chai = 4202 Dusky Meadow

• 4003 Ginseng Gold = 4203 Cattail

• 4004 Earl Grey = 4204 Storm Cloud

• 4005 Sugar Cube = 102 Vatican Gold

• 4006 Rosehip = NM (slightly more lilac is 3223 Ametrine. 093 Star Mauve, or 023 Lilac; slightly pinker is 007HL Pink Hi Lustre)
• 4639 Light Aqua = 3214 Blue Zircon

• 5002 Pixiedust = NM (close but without blue is 4013 Purple Haze or 3223 Ametrine, or without the purple is 025 Grey)

• 5004 Love Potion = 024L Fiery Fuchsia

• 5007 Brocade = 5006 Ore

• 5008 Leprechaun = 009 Emerald
• 5500 Pink Lemonade = 5700 Cotton Candy

• 5525 Lemon = 5725 Lollipop Lemon

• 5530 Rosemary Green = 4201 Sugar Cane

• 9300 Orchid = NM (closest pastel is slightly darker 093 Star Mauve)

• 2094HL Heather Hi Lustre = NM

• 056F Blueberry = NM 

• 057F Grape = NM 

• 003C Red Cord = 003 Red

• 005C Black Cord = 005 Black

• 007C Pink Cord = 007 Pink

• 008C Green Cord = 008 Green

• 011C Nickel Cord = 010HL Steel Grey

• 012C Purple Cord = 012 Purple

• 032C Pearl Cord = 032 Pearl

• 034C Confetti Cord = NM (closest but without black is 095 Starburst)

• 041C Confetti Pink Cord = 044 Confetti Blue

• 051C Sapphire Cord = 051HL Sapphire Hi Lustre

• 086C Fern = 4201 Sugar Cane

• 087C Meadow Grass = 089 Aspen

• 088C Lily Pond Cord = 4201 Sugar Cane

• 104C Colonial Gold Cord = 210 Gold Dust

• 208C Wine Cord = 080HL Garnet Hi Lustre

• 225C Slate Cord = 025 Grey

• MD76 Marine Blue in Micro Ice Chenille = NM

• Petite/Facets 012 = Petite/Facets 026

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Kreinik is coming to see you!

Kreinik is hitting the road for the rest of the year, bringing threads and inspiration to the streets. Check the list below to see if we will be near you, or take a road trip and visit us at the Kreinik Factory Outlet Store. We are open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. 

• MARCH 30-April 1 — Orlando Needlepoint Market (closed trade show) March 30-April 1. 
• MAY 4—Doug Kreinik thread talk at Homestead Needlearts in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
• MAY 30—Doug Kreinik thread talk at The Needle Bug in Montgomery, Alabama (2 classes).
• JUNE 21-23 — Summer TNNA trade show (closed to the public) is 21-23.   
• JULY — June 29-July 7 Kreinik factory, outlet and offices are closed for summer break
• SEPTEMBER 14-16—Destination Dallas Needlepoint Market (closed trade show) Sept 14-16
• SEPTEMBER 28—Doug Kreinik thread talk at Labors Of Love shop in Atlanta, GA
• OCTOBER 3-5—Factory Outlet Store Sale at the Kreinik factory, Parkersburg, WV
• OCTOBER 16-18— International Fly Tackle Dealer IFTD show in Denver, (closed to public) October 16-18. 
• DECEMBER — Kreinik factory, outlet and offices closed for holiday Dec 23 -Jan 1

More dates/events to be added. 

Is your shop or fiber group interested in hosting a Doug Kreinik thread seminar? Contact us at info@kreinik.com for pricing and scheduling info.

Photos from Doug's visit to Needlepoints West

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Spotlight on cross stitch designer Glendon Place

Cheryl Granda of Glendon Place creates the kind of textile art you would find in galleries, museums, and the finest homes—like yours! She's a cross stitch designer with a passion for making art, holiday traditions, and family memories come alive in stitches and threads.

When you stitch one of her designs, you are joining her in making the world a prettier place. They're the kind of cross stitch designs that make you want to spend the extra money on nice framing. You will pass down these creations as family heirlooms. She often uses Kreinik metallic threads for added sparkle and texture, which adds even more visual interest. Take a look at her catalog here.

Embellishment packs containing beads and Kreinik metallic threads are available for some of her designs.

We asked Cheryl if she had any new designs planned for the upcoming Nashville Needlework Market trade show in March 2019, and it was a resounding, "YES!"  She is adding more to her vintage nursery rhyme series: the next one is Humpty Dumpty. If you can't wait to get a copy, ask your favorite needlework store to pick one up for you at the market.

Shown are four designs in Glendon Place's vintage nursery rhyme series.

Explore the designs in Cheryl Granda's design line, Glendon Place. You may find your next favorite project—or the next gift to stitch for someone special.

Look for new designs in Glendon Place's vintage nursery rhyme series. Humpty Dumpty will be out in March 2019.

For more information:

• Glendon Place Designs website: https://glendonplace.net/https://glendonplace.net/
• Free Easter themed design: https://glendonplace.net/free-designs/

Visit the Glendon Place website for this free design

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Hope to see you at a creative event in 2019

Happy New Year! We are looking forward to creating more threads and colors and ideas and inspiration to help you bring your creative dreams to life in 2019. Your projects and comments fuel our creativity too, so feel free to share photos and thoughts with us at any time via our social media, email or at a Kreinik event.

Here is our 2019 event calendar—so far!

• January 12: Doug Kreinik speaking at What's The Point in Dublin, Ohio
• January 31-February 3: TNNA Portland Market (wholesale trade show)
• February 5: Doug Kreinik speaking at Needlepoints West in Los Angeles, California
• March 1-3: Nashville Needlework Market (wholesale trade show) in Tennessee 
• March 15-16: Maker events at the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival in Pennsylvania
• March 29-April 1: Spring Needlepoint Market in Orlando, Florida (wholesale trade show)
• April 26-28: Doug Kreinik speaking at Emily's Stitchery in Northbrook, Illinois
• June 21-23: TNNA Summer Market (wholesale trade show)
• June 29-July 7: Kreinik factory, outlet and offices closed for summer break
• September 14-16: Destination Dallas Needlepoint Market (wholesale trade show) in Texas
• October 3-5: Kreinik Factory Outlet Store Sale, 1708 Gihon Road, Parkersburg, West Virginia
• October 16-18: International Fly Tackle Dealer Show (wholesale trade show) in Denver, Colorado
• December 23-January 1: Kreinik factory, outlet and offices closed for winter break

Want to have your own Kreinik Thread Seminar?

Doug Kreinik is available to speak at needlework stores, retreats, and guild group events. His "thread lecture" teaches all about Kreinik silk, metallic, iron on and real metal threads. He brings a trunk show of inspiring models and designs that will jump-start your creativity. You will learn everything about Kreinik threads direct from the maker! Contact Kreinik for cost and additional information.

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Meet the newest Kreinik color Sea Glass

By designer demand (aka, Associated Talents!) this gorgeous blue-green metallic thread color is debuting at Kreinik. Meet 096 Sea Glass, and we are making it 'round the clock right now.

We are making it in Fine #8 Braid first, which will be followed by production in your other favorite Kreinik metallic thread sizes: Tapestry #12 Braid, Very Fine #4 Braid, Medium #16 Braid, and 1/16" Ribbon. Give us a few months for full production, as we actually do make our own threads, but look for the new colors in needlework stores starting now. Retailers who attended the Destination Dallas trade show were first on the list. Help us spread the word now to other retailers and stitchers that there's a gorgeous new metallic color from Kreinik.

Speaking of Destination Dallas, the wholesale needlepoint trade show held in September of every year: we held the new color next to painted canvas designs and found it matches perfectly to something in just about every design line. Don at Associated Talents knew what we all needed when he suggested this color. Now we wonder how we ever lived this long without it!

A big thank-you to Needlepoint In Paradise in Florida who came up with the winning name.

Welcome Kreinik color 096 Sea Glass to your needlework fiber stash.

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Time for a name change

What's in a name? A lot, actually. Our identities, first impressions, definitions, and often lasting judgements come with names. Some people wait until a baby is born to give the child a name that fits the budding personality. Names are actually rather important. That is why we are changing the name of...a Kreinik color.

4011V Adventure Green is now 4011V Vintage Viridian

Sure it sounds super trendy, like a character in a Star Wars movie or a superhero flick—or a Pokemon city. However, the reason for the change is simply to identify it with its color family: the Vintage line (hence the "V" in the color number). We really don't know what we were thinking when we named this antiqued, soft-hued, innocent version of chartreuse "Adventure Green" when it is obviously a more refined and elegant Vintage personality. After much research and discussion, we felt Viridian reflected it's true nature, being an old-world, medium green, a timeless spring that spans centuries.

As a metallic, this beauty has a muted finish, an antiqued look, almost a luminescence that's beautiful in designs. This color comes in Kreinik Blending Filament, Braids and Ribbons. We have updated our website to reflect the new name, but older color cards still list it as Adventure Green.

Who knows, maybe Viridian will become a popular baby name for 2019...

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Come to a Christmas ornament making party

Locals in the Parkersburg, West Virginia area, or those who can make the trip: come to our ornament making party on December 9. Meet new friends and relax for a few Saturday morning hours—and you will make sparkling Christmas ornaments to give as gifts or hang on your own tree. Details below.

• WHAT: Christmas Ornament DIY Party
• WHERE: Stoked Coffee House, 1606 Blizzard Drive, Parkersburg WV 26101
• WHEN: December 9, 2017, from 10 am to 12 noon
• AGES: No age limit but guidance may be required for small children since there these are glass ornaments.
• COST: $12.00 (includes materials)
• REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Seats are limited so preregister and prepay here: https://www.kreinik.com/shops/classes.html

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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.

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