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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Super 3-day sale at the Kreinik factory

We're opening our doors for a mega fiber sale. Treat yourself and your friends to the 3-day event at the Kreinik factory outlet store October 5, 6, and 7, 2017. The sale is located right at thread central: 1708 Gihon Road, Parkersburg, West Virginia. There truly is a treasure at the end of this road trip!

Sampler lovers will find special silk threads to make their projects truly unique. Quilters, spinners, and fiber fans will "dig" the deals of Kreinik thrums and bits. Weavers, knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists will find coned metallics at sale prices—a good buy for needlework finishers and needlepointers working on large projects, too. We will have discount prices on fabrics for cross stitch and counted thread (yes fabrics, extra stock from kits). If you're a fan of Tokens & Trifles, the perforated paper shapes produced by Redefined, Inc. a few years ago, all that remains will be sold off at this sale (we know; we loved them too! Get yours before they're gone forever).

What's it all about?

Doug Kreinik gives a little insight into this special event:

Q: Why have a special 3-day tent sale? 

Doug: We experimented with a Kreinik Factory outlet sale last year and in the spring.  The response was overwhelming.  People want to visit and really enjoy digging through treasures, finding must-have stash items.

Q: What can we expect to find at the sale?  

Doug: Fun!!  Also, the chance to meet new people, other stitchers, weavers, cross stitchers, needlepointers and fisherman.  

Q: Will we get to tour the factory?     

Doug: If I am around, I have been known to give tours. Fiber people always have questions and the more you know, the more interesting the product and company. 

Q: When we visit Parkersburg, where should we eat?

Doug: I have favorite restaurants and hotels in the Parkersburg area. Most represent global cuisine: Lebanese, Puerto Rican, Philippine, even some down-home cooking. If you are into history, there is also a lot to see within a 25-mile radius. Blennerhasset Mansion, where conspiracy grew with Aaron Burr, plus the Indian Burial Mounds of Marietta, and the oil and gas museum showing the birth of an industry. 

A few special details are still being planned, but there may be some make-it-take-its, and a chance to make your own custom shoelaces out of Kreinik threads. You're just going to have to join the fun. We'd love to meet you.

For more information:

• Set your GPS to 1708 Gihon Road, Parkersburg, West Virginia
• Dates are: October 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; October 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; October 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Products at the tent sale will not be posted online, so you have to come!
• Ask your local shop to organize a bus tour, or gather your best friends for a fiber adventure

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How to use Kreinik Ombre™ 

In your Year of Becoming A Kreinik Thread Expert, it's time to learn about this unique thread: Kreinik Ombre™. You can use it in needlepoint, samplers, weaving, knitting, crochet, embroidery, cord making, Temari and bobbin work, among other techniques. It's a loosely twisted metallic designed to give a loosely woven effect in needlework. The core color range is variegated, going along with the origin of the word, which gives you interesting color effects. 

The word "ombre" in general refers to the gradual blending of one color hue to another. The color effect is popular in hair styles right now, as well as fashion (skirts, shirts, handbags), home decor (pillows, window treatments), and even nail polish.

In needlework, the Kreinik thread Ombre is best used in specialty stitches such as Satin Stitch, Herringbone, and others that show off the loose twist and the variegated color. It was one of the first non-Braid threads Kreinik made back in the company's early days, and was particularly popular when machine knitting was in vogue. Since the unique texture of Ombre became so useful to stitchers for creating various effects, the Kreinik family started making it solid colors as well as variegated. 

Ombre offers you a unique thread with elegance and texture. Get at least one solid color (we love 3200 Pearl for snow and 2000 Gold or 1000 Silver for Christmas) and one variegated color (1600 Misty Lavender is popular) to start experimenting in your projects. Read on to learn more.

What is Kreinik Ombre?

• An 8-ply softly twisted metallic thread
• In nine variegated colors
• Also in four solid colors (Gold, Silver, Pearl, Copper)
• Comes on 15-meter spools or larger cones (by special order)
• Mmost often used in needlepoint, bobbin work, counted thread (samplers), card making, knitting, weaving, embroidery, Temari, cord making
• For an interesting look in cross stitch, use Ombre for French Knots — they'll be fluffier
• Iit is meant to be used straight off the spool, as it comes, not separated

Why would you want a loose twist?

• It creates a stitch that "lifts" off the surface of your canvas/fabric, creating added loft, texture, and dimension.
• In knitting and crochet, it gives you a metallic look but in a super-soft thread. It is one of the softest metallics you'll ever feel.
• In needlepoint and counted thread, it gives you a unique, fluffy texture—imagine snow drifts, jacquard fabrics, and other "risen" effects.

Why would you want a metallic?

• Adds elegance
• Makes a design look more expensive
• Adds light reflection
• Adds a different texture
• For visual interest

How to use Ombre:

• In hand stitchery, use it straight off the reel, with a #22 Tapestry needle or a #18 Chenille needle; longer or decorative stitches are best for showing off the fuzzy texture or variegated color.
• In crochet and knitting, use it as a carry along to dress up alpaca, cotton, wool, silk or any yarn.
• In bobbin work, use a coordinated color of #60 or #80 cotton, mono, or rayon thread in the top; makes lovely raised, nubby effects in particular with zig zag and decorative stitches—lengthen stitch length slightly. Lovely in digitized embroidery designs or programmed machine stitches (looks like you have stitched with glitter). 

For more information:

• Color range: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Ombre.html
• Ombre cones: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Ombre-250m.html
• How to use it in bobbin work (video): http://www.kreinik.com/shops/VIDEO-Kreinik-Ombre-Metallic-TM-In-The-Bobbin.html
• Bobbin work how-to with Louis Carney (video): https://youtu.be/GzWu6bK49y8
• Free crochet pattern (scarf) by April Garwood using Ombre (shown in photo below): http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Spring-Frost-Scarf.html
• Free crochet pattern (bridal necklace/choker) by Gwen Blakely Kinsler: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Bridal-Baubal-Choker.html

Share how you use Kreinik Ombre in your projects. We'd love to hear and see!

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