New Easter Braid™

There is a new thread in town, offering stitchers, crafters and fiber artists a new way to achieve prismatic color and optical effects in their projects. It's pearl on steroids, pearl hi lustre, Easter grass gone wild…it's color 9032 Easter Braid.

Last year, we introduced translucent Kreinik Easter Grass™ by specific request from one of the most talented and prolific needlepoint designers, Meredith Willet of M's Canvashouse (store) and Elizabeth Turner Designs (needlepoint canvases and finishing). We turned that Easter Grass into this year's new Easter Braid™.

Kreinik Easter Braid™ is a bolder version of our classic 032 Pearl color. It brings to mind the whimsical lightness of soap bubbles and the crystalline color of snow. At once purple, then green, then pink, then white...it dazzles in the light to create a color of depth and dimension, which gives you more visual interest in your handwork or machine embroidery. It’s a pretty pearl—and more.

One of the most versatile colors we've ever created, Easter Braid has the chameleon-quality to pick up color around or beneath it. Use it to intensify color on a painted needlepoint canvas, to blend subtly into colored cross-stitch fabric, or magnify print on quilt cottons. We have already heard that fly tyers are raving about the shimmery color for making irresistible lures. So don't let the name determine the use; it's not just for "Easter" designs. When we handed out samples at the recent TNNA needlearts trade show, needlepoint designers started using it in projects as diverse as winter, Halloween, Christmas, wedding, baby, Easter, and confection-themed designs.

Choose from a variety of thread sizes (thread weights) to match your particular creative technique: needlepoint, cross stitch, knitting, crochet, weaving, papercrafts, and more. It is available in Kreinik Blending Filament, Very Fine #4 Braid, Fine #8 Braid, Tapestry #12 Braid, Medium #16 Braid, plus 1/8" Ribbon and 1/16" Ribbon.

For more information on Easter Braid and other Kreinik threads, visit your local needlework shop or www.kreinik.com. We posted pictures of the new Easter Braid on our Flickr site, http://www.flickr.com/photos/kreinikgirl/

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Kreinik Color Cards

Kreinik Metallic Color Card

Actual threads wrapped on cards…swatches of every Kreinik color...have the whole thread selection at your fingertips…what a good idea! These fabulous tools are called color cards, and they are available from Kreinik for the silk, metallic, machine sewing, and iron-on thread lines. 

Whether you are a professional pattern designer, a store owner, a kit maker, a fiber artist, or a do-it-yourselfer designing custom projects, a color card puts a manufacturer's thread inventory in your hands. It is a design tool, an organizing tool, a reference tool.

There has been some online talk recently about color cards from thread manufacturers, and whether they consist of just photographs of colors or actual threads. We want to spread the word that the Kreinik color cards have actual threads on them. So if you are doing color matching or planning projects, you can see exactly what a color looks like — in your home, shop or studio, in various light sources, next to certain fabrics, etc. 

Kreinik Silk Color Card

For convenience, we offer digital photos of all Kreinik colors on our web site at www.kreinik.com. You can also download a PDF of a 'pocket' color chart for each thread line (silk, metallic, machine sewing, iron-on), featuring photos of all Kreinik colors here: Kreinik Color Charts. Until we can all afford 3-D printers, we can't have actual threads coming out of your computer screens, so in a pinch the photos give you a pretty good idea of a color.

It is ultimately the most helpful to flip and search, match and coordinate based on real colors rather than photo swatches, however. So the Kreinik Metallic Color Card has thread samples of 350+ Kreinik thread colors wrapped around panels. The Kreinik Silk Color Card has swatches of 200+ colors. When new colors are added, updated panels are created. For any creative person, these cards are an easy and economical way to have a thread palette on hand at all times. 

For more information or to purchase the Kreinik silk and metallic color cards:

• Ask your local needlework store to special order a color card for you
• If you have a wholesale account with Kreinik, add updated color cards to your next order
• Check online stores for color cards (such as Nordicneedle.com, everythingcrossstitch.com etc)
• Click here for Kreinik metallic color card
• Click here for Kreinik silk color card

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Kreinik Colors In Shading Order

We received this letter from a stitcher, regarding our collection of gold and silver thread colors:

Hello,

   I looked up your color chart for metallics.  It is enormous!  I found your color family cards, but they are only for purchase, and I could not view this on-line. 

   Could you please give me the progression of color from light to dark (or visa versa) of your golds and your silvers.  I have some from a variety of projects and need to organize them for a new project, by light to dark or visa versa.  I have a hard time differentiating between some with subtle differences.

   Thank you very much.

   Regards, Mrs. N.

What a great idea! We have compiled lists of Kreinik gold and silver colors in shading progression order, based on our observations. Keep in mind that dye lots can vary, and people see color differently. However the lists below should make an organized starting point for planning your own projects.

Silvers (light to dark):

100HL White Hi Lustre

100 White

032 Pearl

032C Pearl Cord

9032 Easter Braid (this is a new color, debuting February 2013)

5760 Marshmallow

101 Platinum

3231 Moonstone

001L Solar Silver

001 Silver

001C Silver Cord

001HL Silver Hi Lustre

001J Japan Silver

001V Vintage Silver

4205 Ironwood

105C Antique Silver Cord

5010 Knight

019 Pewter

025 Grey

Golds (light to dark):

102 Vatican

102C Vatican Gold Cord

3232 Brazilianite

104C Colonial Gold Cord

3221 Heliodor

3260 Gold Tourmaline

002 Gold

3228 Topaz

002L Chromo Gold

002C Gold Cord

002J Japan Gold

002HL Gold HIi Lustre

002V Vintage Gold

3202 Cat's Eye

5720 Gum Drop Gold

3250 Aventurine

3280 Citrine

202HL Aztec Gold Hi Lustre

221 Antique Gold

5520 Ginger

205C Antique Gold Cord

5005 Gold Coin

**

LIGHT VALUES, GOLDS:

102 Vatican

102C Vatican Gold Cord

3232 Brazilianite

104C Colonial Gold Cord

3221 Heliodor

MEDIUM VALUES, GOLDS:

002 Gold

3228 Topaz

002L Chromo Gold

002C Gold Cord

002J Japan Gold

002HL Gold HIi Lustre

002V Vintage Gold

3202 Cat's Eye

5720 Gum Drop Gold

3250 Aventurine

3280 Citrine

202HL Aztec Gold Hi Lustre

221 Antique Gold

5520 Ginger

DARK VALUES, GOLDS:

205C Antique Gold Cord

5005 Gold Coin

**

See these colors:

• Click here to get a free, online, downloadable metallic color chart
• Click here to purchase a Kreinik Metallic Thread Color Card (consists of actual thread swatches).
• Visit your local needlework store to see and purchase Kreinik metallics. Store Locator: http://www.kreinik.com/store_locator.htm

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Free knitting projects using Kreinik Reflective Yarn

 Free knitting projects using Kreinik Reflective Yarn

Designed by Lisa M. Barnes, LMB Designs

Oh the weather outside is frightful, at least throughout most of the US, where a cold front is keeping temperatures below freezing. What we all need is a good, warm knitted hat. This one features Kreinik's Reflective Yarn, making it visible at night when caught in car headlights or camera flash (oh the paparazzi!).

The designer, Lisa Barnes, had a little fun with placement of the reflective accents. By day, this hat and matching wristers appear to be a harmless fair isle pattern. But by night, glowing eyes appear, as if by magic! Well, ok, it's the Reflective Yarn worked into the pattern, but how cool is that twist-on-the-usual.

Have fun knitting these warm and cozy projects!

Download the PDF with the materials list and pattern instructions.

PATTERN NOTES

This hat is worked in the round from the brim to the crown, using double-pointed needles, two circular needles, or one long circular needle (for the “magic loop” method). The reflective “eyes” are created using duplicate stitch.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Lisa founded LMB Designs to design knitwear for people and pets. Her creations have included felted purses, wire jewelry, and shrugs and wraps. Her pet designs have included a formal gown for a German Shepherd and a tuxedo for a Chihuahua. www.LMBDesigns.com.

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Kreinik Q&A: Japan Threads

5 things to know about this beautiful thread

"I have Kreinik Japan recommended to me for a card weaving project. However, I don't understand how the numbers work; I know it has to do with thread weight, but I don't know if smaller numbers are heavier or lighter. Any instruction you can give me would be helpful." — emailed question

You may have the same question as this stitcher — what do Japan thread numbers mean? Does a larger number mean heavier thread? We answer these questions and more here, in 5 Things To Know About Kreinik Japan Threads. 

1. Basic Kreinik Japan Threads come in three sizes: 

• Japan #1
• Japan #5
• Japan #7
• Smooth, bright, and shiny, they give the look of stitching with real metals. 
• Japan #1 comes on spools. Japan #5 and #7 are available on spools or skeins.

2. The smaller the number, the thinner the thread:

• Kreinik Japan #1 is super fine, very thin, the thinnest.
• Kreinik Japan #5 is slightly thicker. 
• Kreinik Japan #7 is thicker than #5.

3. Stitch with one, couch the others:

• Japan #1 is a passing thread; stitch through fabric as you would a sewing thread. 
• Japan #5 and #7 are gimps, or wrapped threads, and therefore couched onto the surface rather than sewn in and out of fabric. The metallic foil is wrapped around a core fiber, so if you stitch and and out with Japan #5 and #7, the wrapping may separate or come off.
• Japan #5 and #7 can be couched singly or multiple strands at a time for unique effects. Couch with a matching color of Japan #1, or a contrasting color of metallic or silk thread depending on the look you want to achieve.

4. Kreinik also makes Japan Threads in Braids and Ribbons:

• This gives stitchers/weavers/fiber-artists more Japan Thread textures (ie, creative options). A Japan Thread in Kreinik Tapestry #12 Braid, for instance, looks like a checked or serpentine metal thread. 
• They are thicker, stiffer, and more texturized than the basic Japan Threads.
• Popular in needlepoint, counted thread, crazy quilting, temari, crochet, and surface embroidery techniques. 
• Look for a "J" after the color number, as in 002J or 001J.
• The smaller the Braid number, the smaller the thread. Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid is the thinnest Braid, for example, and Fine #8 Braid is twice as thick as #4 Braid.

5. Kreinik Japan Threads are easier to care for than their historical counterparts:

• This generation of Japan Thread is synthetic and thus less expensive and more readily available than real metal threads.
• They have a percentage of real metal, but are non-tarnishing. 
• You can dry clean needlework made with Kreinik Japan Threads.

Side note on couching Japan Threads: A squared-off spool known as a Koma is often used to hold the thicker Japan Threads or other couching threads as you stitch. The Koma won't roll off like round spools, and you can unwind thread as you couch. See our blog "Need Another Pair of Hands?" for more details (and a good couching illustration): http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2012/05/need-another-pair-of-hands.html

In case you missed it, check out an earlier blog about using Japan Threads with ideas from other stitchers: http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-is-japan-thread.html

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Reflections on a Reflective Thread

There's a new kid in town. Kreinik recently introduced Reflective Yarn to the knitting community and the buzz is spreading. It is the #2 top seller on www.kreinik.com, where it was used in three Christmas and winter-themed projects in December. The fiber will be featured in the Spring 2013 issue of Creative Knitting magazine (on sale February 2013); also see this link http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/printer.php?mode=article&article_id=2882. Designer Karen Ratto-Whooley is debuting a knitted hat pattern at the February 2013 TNNA Long Beach trade show (so look for it in stores shortly after). It has been tweeted, retweeted, blogged, Flickr'd, and Facebooked. Not a bad start for a little novelty yarn. 

What is it?

Kreinik Reflective Yarn is a carry-along fiber with light-reflecting properties. It's part polyester and part glass beads (which gives it a sort of mesmerizing, holographic effect in addition to making it reflective). In knitting, it is meant to be a carry-along fiber. As a matte-gray color, it blends neutrally into other yarns. However, with a camera flash or car light, the project/design becomes luminously lit. Use it for adding reflective stripes or patterns to dog sweaters, purses, hats, scarves, wrist bands, headbands, and other garments. 

Being thread-centric here at Kreinik, we liked the fiber for the special effect properties, and the fact that it complements so many other threads and yarns. Needleworkers have been combining materials to create unique, custom looks for centuries, so this is just a new high-tech fiber for our generation.

Where can you use a Reflective Yarn? 

So far it has worked beautifully in crochet, knitting and cross stitch. Take a look and download these free projects:

• Festive Fir Ornament

• Reflective Tree Ornament

• Knitted Hat and Wristers

This week we are playing with it in needlepoint. Based on early test stitching (stitches recommended by our fans on www.Facebook.com/Kreinik.Manufacturing.Company), we think there are many possibilities.

For example, we used it in the cross-stitch area of Criss-Cross Hungarian (using Silk Serica and Reflective Yarn). It offered a pretty, subtle look. It would be good for night sky backgrounds on needlepoint canvases.

Then we combined it with one strand of black Silk Mori for French Knots. It looked pretty good. Using it alone in French Knots, there was a bit of fraying along the strand. Stick with using it as a carry-along and you shouldn't have a problem with abrasion from so many twists and turns of a French Knot section. It is not as strong as our Braids, so use it in stitches that don't require a lot of tension.

Algerian eyelets and Smyrna crosses? Very cool! Use it as a carry-along fiber with Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid on 18-mesh canvas, or with any of the larger Kreinik Braids on the bigger needlepoint canvases. It works beautifully in combination stitches - try the filament Silk Serica on the bottom with Reflective Yarn as top stitches. The luminosity of the Reflective Yarn goes perfectly with the natural luminescence of filament silk. See our swatch for our doodles.

The Kreinik Reflective Yarn is about the size of our Very Fine #4 Braid, so use that as a guide in determining your coverage needs. Be careful carrying the thread in the back of your work - the backside of your stitches may illuminate through the open canvas.

A 25-yard spool will go a long way, so it's perfect for wearable needlepoint projects and accessories. See the list of suggestions below to get started. Use it in designs that are going to see light reflection, like dog collars worn at night, and shoes.

Ideas for using Reflective Yarn in needlepoint:

• dog collars

• belts

• shoes

• handbags

• purse-style wallets

• ornaments

• jewelry

In needlepoint, specialty threads are all about adding color and "special effects" to make designs exciting and life-like. For example:  glow-in-the-dark, holographic, fuzzy, metallic threads all add dimensional dynamics to designs. In the same way, this Reflective Yarn is perfect for creating realism and, well, a "special effect" in particular motifs. Here are some ideas for using it in particular design themes.

Use Reflective Yarn in designs of:

• cat's whiskers

• eyeglasses

• drinking glass

• street lamps

• car, train, bus etc headlights

• joggers

• bicycles

• football players (helmets)

• windows

• celestial themes

We will keep stitching and playing, and hope you will enjoy this fun new novelty yarn in your own creations too. Email us or share photos on our Twitter or Facebook pages.

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A Biscornu for You

As we approach a busy holiday week, part of a busy holiday month, we want to say thank you to every stitcher, crafter, designer, teacher, retailer, manufacturer, distributor and more — all of the wonderful people we have met and worked with this year. You inspire us with your ideas and creations, and we love making threads for you.

The Kreinik thread factory will be closed from December 22 to January 1 so that our family and staff can enjoy time with their friends and family. We will reopen January 2. In the meantime, enjoy this free Angel Biscornu patter, courtesy of the design team at Praiseworthy Stitches (http://www.praiseworthystitches.com). We haven't had time to stitch the model yet - perhaps we can get a little stitching done during our holiday break. 

Enjoy!

Click here for the PDF with the chart

Click here for the PDF of the biscornu finishing instructions

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