Important production and color news

To our valued stitchers, creators and fly fishing enthusiasts,

2020 has been the most out-of-the-ordinary year of our collective lives. The pandemic created regulations and upheaval on every level: economic, medical, social, personal, national, international. It has been devastating for people and small businesses. Kreinik is still here because of two factors: 1. You; and 2. Our staff. Strengthened by your patience and their dedication, Kreinik is determined to get us all through 2020 and thriving in 2021 in the best possible way.

With that goal, we are enacting an extraordinary—but temporary—measure. For the next eight weeks, we are only making the top 60 to 80 colors in Kreinik #4, #8, and #12 Braid lines.

We know that limiting the colors in production sounds drastic, and some people won’t be able to get some colors temporarily, but we need to catch up. We need to dedicate all production machines to in-demand colors. Shops need to get the most popular colors restocked. Our staff needs some pressure relief. This will do it.

The limit on color production does not apply to silk threads, Blending Filament, Medium #16 Braid, Canvas #24 Braid, 1/8” Ribbon, 1/16” Ribbon, Ombre, Micro Ice Chenille, Facets, or Japan Threads. It applies only to Very Fine #4 Braid, Fine #8 Braid, and Tapestry #12 Braid for the next eight weeks.

What can you do if you are in desperate need of a color that we aren’t producing right now? There are several solutions:

• Many retailers have stock of these “odd” colors, so search online, or contact us for names of shops that do mail order.
• Join one of the needlework or fly fishing groups on Facebook, Reddit, or other social media, and ask if someone has the color you need. Many people are willing to trade, give, or sell. There are also retailers in these groups who may see the post.
• Consider substituting with a similar color in the line. In the next week, we will share on our social media several conversion lists that may help. 

Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. When we are caught up, we will return to making our full color line. While our facility is closed to the public right now, we hope to restore factory tours and reopen the outlet store in 2021. 

Regards,
Doug Kreinik

Read more...

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

Read more...

Don't believe this rumor

We've been hearing rumors that Kreinik is discontinuing the metallic thread color 5760 Marshmallow. It's not true! Trust us, we're Kreinik.

This gorgeous color isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's being used all over the world right now, as it's perfect in Christmas and winter-themed designs. We are making more at this very moment.

If you don't have it in your stitching stash, get some! It's a brighter white than our standard 032 Pearl, with the most subtle metallic sheen. Plus the material is soft to stitch with and lays beautifully in stitches. It comes in Kreinik Braid and Ribbon sizes.

When you hear rumors about discontinued colors, please contact us first! Email info@kreinik.com or call 1-800-537-2166.

Read more...

Never do this with your rubber bands

This is a public service announcement to needleworkers everywhere. Share with your stitching friends. Help us spread the word that rubber bands are not good when it comes to textiles. 

This week's blog post is an important tip: keep rubber bands away from your threads. Never, ever,
ever ever ever wrap them around threads that have a silver content, such as Kreinik Japan Threads, or the "J" colors of Kreinik Braids and Ribbons (001J, 002J, etc). It may sound strange to some, but we have seen this over the years: people secure their threads on a spool by wrapping them with rubber bands. Not good. The sulphur or sulphur compounds in rubber bands will cause your thread to tarnish.

Fortunately, Kreinik's black spools were designed to have their own thread-end holder. The illustrations below show how the brilliant mechanisms save your thread ends from loosely hanging around and tangling up in your thread box (just say no to frustrations, and to using rubber bands to secure your threads).

If you're looking for the safest way to store textiles, including real metal threads or threads with silver content, use acid-free tissue paper. Learn more about it here: http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2014/04/practice-safe-storage.html

Let's all practice safe and sane storage!

Read more...

How is Braid Made at Kreinik?

Ever wonder how we make Fine #8 Braid or Very Fine #4 Braid? Now you can get a glimpse of never-before-seen action at the Kreinik thread factory. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes video by Kyle Sams showing how Kreinik Braids are made.

Threads visualize thoughts

Every day, a group of dedicated staffers transform raw materials into your favorite metallic threads, then ship the spools and cones to stores all over the world. Thank you for using Kreinik to make your cross stitch, needlepoint, weaving, knitting, crochet, fly fishing, tatting, Temari, paper crafts, mixed media, fiber art—all techniques!—come to life.

For more information:

• Kreinik web site: www.kreinik.com
• Store Locator: http://www.kreinik.com/store_locator.htm
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/kreinikchannel
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/kreinikgirl
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kreinik
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kreinik.Manufacturing.Company
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreinikthreads/

Read more...