Needlepoint Yarn - What Colors?

Last time, our intrepid needlepoint beginner ordered a stash of yarn online.  But, did she get the right colors??

Oh, I hope the colors turn out!  Because I don't have a bricks-and-mortar needlepoint store nearby, I have to order needlepoint yarn online (except for DMC cotton embroidery floss, which I can get at a craft store).

It's hard to tell exact colors on a computer screen, especially when you're trying to match the colors to a photograph.  Ultimately, I made a guess and crossed my fingers that, if the colors don't accurately represent the lush jungle foliage and beautiful Pacific waters of the photograph (here it is again - peaceful, yes?), they'll at least look nice together.

In the future, I may order a swatch card.  These are sets of little bits of each of the jillion colors of wool offered by a manufacturer.  But the swatch cards cost money (usually $30-50), so I took a chance this time.  Did it pan out?  Oh, dear reader...we'll both have to wait and see...

Till then, I'll keep busy by reviewing the math that I used to decide how much to order.  Hopefully next time, if the shipment arrives, I'll have a pretty yarn photo for you.

Needlepoint Yarn - What Kind?

I just finished choosing yarn for my new abstract Costa Rica-inspired needlepoint project.  It took a LOT of guesswork to figure out: what kind of yarn?  what colors?  and how much?

Needlepoint typically uses tapestry or Persian weight wool yarn.  Persian weight is a 3 ply yarn, and tapestry is 4 ply.  I'm working on 11 count Aida canvas, so I'm going to use the heavier yarn to make sure I cover all the canvas, which seems to be best for 10-14 count canvas.

And what brand?  There are several.  My grandmother always used Paternayan brand yarn in her needlepoint, so I looked for it first.  But...they've stopped making it!  Folks are selling their stashes on E-Bay and on their needlepoint shop websites, but it was hard to get information on the colors.

Brown Sheep Mills in Nebraska makes Waverly Wool, but none of the shops in my area carry it.  Which was a bummer, because it was the only US made tapestry wool that I could find, and I like to keep things local when possible.  But, since I don't have a car and can't drive out to the suburbs to find yarn, I defaulted to Appleton Wool.  It is made in the UK, and has been around for eons.  There were also several lovely brands of French and Australian yarns available, but I stuck with Appleton, found the seller closest to me, looked at the colors online, and ordered.

Next time:  can you really tell about the colors online?  And...how much yarn do I need?

New Project - Needlepoint!

I'm developing a new project. And this time, I'm going to try needlepoint. 


My previous projects have been crewel embroidery, which uses cotton or silk floss or fine wool on a backing of linen or other finely woven cloth.  Needlepoint is worked on a canvas, using heftier tapestry wool. Very fine needlepoint, called petit point, could use crewel wool, too, but mine will be the larger size stitches.

This project is so exciting. I'm going to learn a whole new method of embroidery and several new stitches.  And, I'm making my own pattern from a photo that my boyfriend took on our recent vacation in Costa Rica.  So the finished project will remind me what a wonderful time we had in that beautiful country.

As you can see, the picture was taken from an airplane window.  It is a river delta in Costa Rica's Pacific rainforest. Rendered in needlepoint, it will be completely abstract, but I'll know what it is. And it will use beautiful blues and greens.  

To make a pattern, I will print the photo in black and white and outline the important parts with a marker. Then, I
Will use the same tracing paper technique as on the CFL bulb project.

For me, the fun part comes next. What kind of yarn do I need, what colors...and how much?  I love yarn. And these colors are going to be sooo pretty!!

Inspiration: Maricor/Maricar - Modern Embroidery Awesomeness

Maricor/Maricar are "graphic designers, illustrators, animators, and makers of things assorted" who are taking embroidery to a new, graphic, and modern level. The twins' work has show up on catalog covers, album covers, in magazines, and on gallery walls.  

Of course, they're from Australia (though now in London).  I'm finding that Australia is some sort of cosmic vortex of embroidery craftsmanship.  And now the Aussies are taking the craft (far) beyond tea cozies and cabbage roses!  Hurray!

Look at this illustration from the December 2011 issue of Wired Magazine, and then do check out the rest of their work. You will be inspired!

Turning Embroidery into a Pillow - Final Installment!

Hi everyone,

Drumroll, please.  We have a completed pillow!  Yay!!

I put my new sewing machine to work at once.  Pinned everything up and a few straight lines and major goofs later, voila:

Helpful hint:  a lint roller is handy for cleaning up little bits left over when ripping out stitches.  You can see here how the envelope back works:

This has been a really fun project.  I've learned a lot, acquired some needed equipment along the way, and can't wait to see how many of my coworkers get a good laugh out of my new pillow.

Now, I'm going to take a few weeks off from embroidering so that I can finish some other projects around the house.  But, I have a few ideas for embroidery-related posts in the meantime.  And, when I'm done with my other projects, I have an idea for the next embroidery adventure...a proper needlepoint that will remind me of a recent vacation.