A bit of bad thread news...

We are out of stock of Micro Ice Chenille in 221 Gold and 003 Red. Unfortunately, we may not be able to make it in the future due to a manufacturing problem. If you are mid-project, make sure you have enough to finish.

If you need more to finish a project:

• Check with needlework or fly fishing shops to see if they have any remaining stock
• Check with needlework or fly fishing groups on Facebook, Reddit, and other social media to see if anyone has some and is willing to swap or sell

We sincerely apologize for having to discontinue an item, especially something as fun as red or gold in this fabulous fuzzy thread. We will let you know if we can work out the issues and bring them back. In the meanwhile, we do have other colors in Micro Ice Chenille. Click here for the list.

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Embroidery on photographs is our new favorite fiber art

The hot trend of stitching on photographs is a blend of two exciting mediums: visual art and fiber art. Photos are a refreshing base material for stitchers who want to further express their love for embroidery and for making images come to life.

Get inspired with the designs of Janet Dey

Friends in the Toronto area, check out this fabulous exhibit: https://business.facebook.com/events/1241059279416533/ Designer Janet Dey uses Kreinik threads in her fun, expressive, fascinating contemporary art. She hand-embroiders on enlarged modern prints of vintage photographs.

"It is a delight to work with the threads," Janet says. We love how the gold Kreinik Braid adds a dimensional effect and a touch of light, while keeping with the gorgeous vintage color schemes of the photographs. If you aren't in the Toronto area, you can still get inspired by checking out the gallery's website here, https://www.bulgergallery.com/artists/29-janet-dey/works/, or this site featuring more of Janet's work: https://ffoto.com/collections/janet-dey

About the exhibit

The Stephen Bulger Gallery is an art gallery in Toronto, Canada. If you live in the area, keep an eye on their schedule for other inspiring creative exhibits. Here are the details on the Janet Dey exhibit:

• Exhibition Dates: February 22 – March 14, 2020
• Artist Talk with Janet Dey: Saturday, February 22, 4pm
• Public Reception: Saturday, February 22, 2 – 5pm

The gallery is pleased to present an exhibition in the Reading Room of work by Janet Dey featuring her series entitled “Magic”. The exhibition is on in conjunction with “Illusions: The Art of Magic” on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario from February 22 – May 18, 2020.

In “Magic”, Dey draws attention to well-known magicians who charmed and captivated audiences, and whose stories have been retold time and time again. Compelled by their dark and mysterious minds, Dey hand-embroiders on enlarged modern prints of vintage photographs. Every stitch and knot in Dey’s design embellishes or further hides the identity of the subjects. Often masking entire faces leaving only their eyes visible, the work takes on a new story, a vision told from Dey’s perspective and left for the viewer to discover. The final artwork is unique, designed to last another several lifetimes. A rebellion against time.

The source photographs are from the collection of David Ben, writer, stage magician, performer, and magic collector.

Photos from the Stephen Bulger Gallery

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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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Make 2020 your year of beauty and inspiration with this calendar

The 2020 Crazy Quilt Calendar is now available, and it's an easy way to grace your refrigerator, craft room, or office space with beautiful needlework. 

Popular cross stitch designer Pam Kellogg is a long-time crazy quilter as well. She owns and publishes Crazy Quilt Quarterly Magazine which is devoted entirely to the art of contemporary crazy quilting and textile art. It's published four times a year and to go along with that, she publishes a yearly Crazy Quilt Calendar. "Although the calendar isn't cross stitch," Pam says, "it's a beautiful publication perfect for anyone who enjoys any type of needlework or quilting." We agree! It also makes a lovely Christmas present for any quilter or needleworker in your life. 

Pam has designed free cross stitch patterns for Kreinik over the years, and often uses our sparkly threads in her crazy quilt designs featured on her blog. Metallics have long been used in both needlework techniques to offer light, texture, dimension...to make a design more visually appealing and interesting. The 2020 calendar features Kreinik in several of the designs. Take a close look at the photos and be inspired to try different threads and stitches to liven up your own embroidery designs.

A quick interview with this inspiring designer

Q: Did you use any Kreinik threads in the projects?

A: Yes, I adore Kreinik threads!  The large roses on the cover design is done in Broiderie Purse. It's outlined entirely in Kreinik #8 Braid using the chain stitch. Some of the other designs include #4 or #8 Braids as well.

Q: Which Kreinik threads are your favorites for crazy quilting?

A: My favorites are #4 and #8 Braids but I also enjoy using the ribbons.  And I always use Blending Filament for spider webs. They're fine and delicate like a real spider web and give a hint of sparkle. They make the web look like there's dew on it!

Q: How did you get into crazy quilting?

A: I started in 2000 when a friend of mine sent me a magazine that featured some contemporary crazy quilt blocks. I was so taken with it and immediately saw how I could include some cross stitch and charted work into crazy quilt pieces. I had no idea what I was doing when I started. But as with anything, the more I did it, the more it all made sense to me. I was never good at "free handing" my fancy stitches so I started using waste canvas and my own charted borders to create my seam treatments. This gave me perfectly spaced stitches every time! I've put 3 books together on using waste canvas for seam treatments.

What I enjoy most about crazy quilting is the freedom to use every needlework technique that I know how to do! There are no limits and since I have an affinity for anything sparkly and glittery, it's the perfect canvas for Kreinik metallic threads and lots of beads, sequins, vintage jewelry pieces and anything else I can sew on!

Q: How can people purchase the 2020 Crazy Quilt Calendar?

A:  http://www.magcloud.com/user/kitty-and-me  and in my Etsy store: http://www.kittyandme.etsy.com/

Q:. How can people purchase your cross stitch designs?

 A: My cross stitch designs are available in many needlework retail stores as well as at the above links. Both professionally printed pattern leaflets as well as Instant Digtial PDF Download files.

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Visiting The Black Sheep needlework shop in Florida

Heading south for winter? Make this needlework store in Orlando, Florida, your home away from home. 

Wow! Check out the Kreinik thread selection at the fabulous needlework store The Black Sheep in Orlando, Florida. While carrying mostly needlepoint patterns, their thread and yarn selection is for all techniques: cross stitch, embroidery, Temari, Swedish Weaving, knitting, crochet, everything. 

Watch the video to meet the owner and find out why it's called The Black Sheep (can we relate?!). Sounds like creativity runs wild at this fun shop. 

Visit the shop's website for address and other information: http://www.theblacksheepshop.com/

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How to learn embroidery stitches galore

If you've admired the gorgeous embroidery seen on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest and wish you could stitch those beauties, we're here to tell you that YOU CAN. It's as simple as:

1.  Learning the stitches
2.  Combining different fibers for different textural effects
3.  Practicing
4.  Then using your newfound knowledge to create patterns

Ok the last part can be more challenging, so just focus on steps 1 through 3 if you're beginning. A new pattern series from PIecemakers—the huge store in Costa Mesa, California—will help you get started. Their "Stitches Galore" patterns focus on the most popular and basic stitches you should know as well as give you actual projects that combine the stitches. 

We love how they have combined different fibers, beads, etc to create more visual interest; something that is not hard to do at all and takes your stitches from basic to stunning. "We appreciate the quality of your products and recommend them highly," Shivaun from Piecemakers told us about using Kreinik threads in the designs. 

Look for the STITCHES GALORE series from Piecemakers or other online sources (notes in italics are our commentary):

1. Volume 1, Number 1: Buttonhole Stitch Combinations (a basic beauty)
2. Volume 1, Number 2: Chain Stitch Combinations (another basic that can be used in so many ways)
3. Volume 1, Number 3: Herringbone Stitch Combinations (classic linear/traveling stitch)
4. Volume 1, Number 4: Zigzag Detached Chain Stitch Combinations (these look really elaborate but are easily done)
5. Volume 1, Number 5: Cretan Stitch Combinations (anyone know the origin of that stitch name?)
6. Volume 1, Number 6: Feather Stitch Combinations (one of the best for creating foliage)
7. Volume 1, Number 7: More Cretan Stitch Combinations (definitely a counting stitch)
8. Volume 1, Number 8: Bugs, Bees and Butterflies (let's be honest, this is the most fun)
9. Volume 1, Number 9: Chevron Stitch Combinations (a useful foundation stitch)
10. Volume 1, Number 10: Ribbed Stitch And More (shown in the pumpkin photo in our post)
11. Volume 1, Number 11: Cross Stitch Combinations (fun to see this basic stitch worked in different ways)
12. Volume 1, Number 12: Holbein Stitch Combinations (it's so much more than a straight-line stitch)

This is a great time of year to learn new stitches and to explore embroidery ideas. Once you start combining your favorites, you will create gorgeous designs. Have fun!

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Visiting needlework shop Needlepoint Gallery & More in New York

Take a virtual trip to this fabulous needlework store — and then visit the shop in person if you can! They carry lots of Kreinik threads for all techniques (embroidery, needlepoint, cross stitch, fly fishing) Watch Doug Kreinik interview owner Doris Katz in this video from July 2019. 

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3 new Kreinik metallic thread colors!

Meet the newest Kreinik metallic thread colors! Available in Kreinik Fine #8 Braid, Tapestry #12 Braid and Medium #16 Braid (no #4 Braid right now). These fun metallic colors are a wee bit thicker, so go down a size than you'd normally use. 

Welcome 9591 Buttercup, 9592 Peony, and 9594 Bluebonnet. 

9591 Buttercup

9592 Peony

9594 Bluebonnet

Ask your favorite needlework store to order the new colors for you. They fit right in with our current pastel shades such as 091 Star Yellow, 092 Star Pink, and 094 Star Blue, offering a shade darker. Buttercup is richer and less lemon-y than some of our current yellows. Bluebonnet will make a great sky or water blue, and Peony is just a fabulous pink for everything. 

Have fun with the three new Kreinik colors. We'd love to hear your feedback on them too! 

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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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Visiting a fabulous Dallas needlework shop

Love stitching? Love Kreinik? Then put this needlework shop on your map: Needlepoint This in Dallas, Texas. It has racks and racks and racks of Kreinik threads. You will find lots of other good needlework stuff too, including classes, canvases, accessories, and great staff. Did we mention the Kreinik thread selection? They carry Kreinik for cross stitch, needlepoint, crazy quilting, embroidery...

We visited the shop in September and got to peek in on a class taught by JP Sligh of Labors Of Love needlepoint designs. We shopped through the Christmas needlepoint canvases, and picked out the threads most used in cross stitch. Get some embroidery scissors, some needle magnets...just about anything you'd need and want. 

Check out Needlepoint This

• 4420 Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75225
• Phone 214-363-6377
• www.needlepointthis.com

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Vote for Kreinik!

If you love Kreinik threads, we'd like your vote! We are nominated in the cross stitch category of the British Craft Awards. Vote here: www.britishcraftawards.com

Thank you for your support! We love making threads for you to make your creative ideas come to life. Feel free to share comments or questions with us at any time via our blog here, email info@kreinik.com, or our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

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Threadworx is making this Kreinik thread even better

The hand-dyed specialty thread company called Threadworx out of California has been transforming Kreinik's metallic Braids into variegated wonders for years. Now they are hand-dyeing Kreinik's fuzzy metallic threads, Micro Ice Chenille, in the most gorgeous colors.

Take a look at the photos and pick your favorite...we can't because we love them all. With names like Galactic Night, Seaweed, White Crystal and Ghost Gray, we're coming up with ideas already.

Micro Ice Chenille is one of Kreinik's fly fishing fibers, a staple for forming bodies on various fly fishing lures. Once needleworkers saw it, they knew it would make fun effects in embroidery, needlepoint, and cross stitch and it has been gaining popularity ever since.

You want to couch this thread in your needlework designs, rather than stitch in and out of the fabric with it. Simply couch with a matching color of Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid, or have fun couching it with any thin metallic or non-metallic thread. You may create one-of-a-kind fiber art with your color combinations.

You can also crochet with Kreinik Micro Ice Chenille (makes great mini wreaths). Use it along with Kreinik Facets and the Kreinik Custom Corder to make trim—the Facets add the look of beads. So many applications for this fun thread, just get a few of your favorite colors and start experimenting.

For more Threadworx information

Threadworx fibers are sold in needlework stores. Visit their website for more information. For the original line-up of Kreinik Micro Ice Chenille colors, visit the Kreinik website.

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