Before we explore wool threads any further – comparing different types and discussing their make-up, pros and cons, and so forth – I want to do a little house cleaning so that these articles are easier for you and other visitors to find on Needle ‘n Thread.
To that end, here’s an article index of everything I’ve written on wool embroidery threads in this series. As I work through more comparisons, I will add the articles to this list.
The article index will be listed under “Tips & Techniques” in the main menu on Needle ‘n Thread.
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Earlier in 2024, we began exploring different types of wool threads that are used in hand embroidery and other types of needlework.
While I don’t have every brand of wool embroidery thread under the sun, I compiled a collection of the wool threads I do have and began grouping them, photographing them, and test stitching with them in order to show you various types available on the market today.
This is a list of the articles written in this series so far.
- Crewel Threads: A Close Look at Wool Embroidery Threads – this article introduces four brands of wool embroidery threads – Appleton’s, Fine d’Aubusson, Heathway, and Eco Vita
- Wool Threads, Stitched – this article compares the line weight of the four threads mentioned above, when stitched in stem stitch.
- Wool Thread Comparisons: Filling Stitches – this article explores the same four threads when used as fillings in satin stitch and long and short stitch.
- More Wool Threads for Comparison – this article introduces Array Wool, Bella Lusso, Threadworx, Renaissance Dyeing, and Simply Wool
- Wool on Spools – this article explores Array wool specifically, testing it with chain stitch (with a needle and with a tambour hook), satin stitch, and laid stitches
- Five More Wool Threads, Compared – Array, Bella Lusso, ThreadWorx, Renaissance Dyeing, Simply Wool – with stitched comparisons
As we explore more wool threads, I’ll add future articles to this list.
Our next exploration will focus on stitching comparisons with Array wool, Bella Lusso, Threadworx, Renaissance Dyeing, and Simply Wool.
Looking for More?
Would you like to learn about other embroidery threads, too? There are many articles on Needle ‘n Thread dedicated to hand embroidery threads, including detailed comparisons between types and brands. You can explore the topic “threads” here, or you might enjoy reading these individual articles:
Silk 101: Getting Started with Silk Embroidery Threads
Silk 101: Twisted Filament Silk
Embroidery Thread Comparisons: Lining up All the Cottons
Over the past couple of years, I have read these articles on silks over and over! It’s so very helpful! If you wished to take it a step further, I’d love to see an article that described – from the perspective of surface embroidery – what each of the core Au Ver a Soie silk threads were best suited for, and perhaps even more importantly, what they were not suited for. For example, Soie Paris, Soie Perlee. Soie Ovale and Soie 100/3 are very different. What is each best suited, or not suited for? You could even take this through to a stitch-along, where one purchased a Discovery Pack (easy kitting for you!), and the project used all of the different threads into a single surface embroidery project. We would learn so much!!! Thank you for considering this!
That’s a great idea, Jan! I will try to tackle that!
Thank you so much for your wool thread series! My previous experience with wool threads were a large Tree of Life piece (for my Grandmother whose example and kind instruction were responsible for my young attempts to mend & embellish my jeans) and several smalls for my Mom and Mother-in-Law. They were all from kits in the 1970s and whatever the wool included worked but now I have no clue what it was!
I have some waking daydreams of a large (3′ x 5′) wall hanging and fell in love with the Margaret Light designs. Someday!! However, she used a lot of Gumnuts wool so I really hope you do go on to review these threads too. If not, I have some good ideas, thanks to your research!
Thank you, Mary, for your thoughtful, diligent, and expert reviews.
Laura
How timely! Yeah, I’m behind (as usual). For my project, I’m light on wools. Contemplating adding Cifona silk/ rayon to the mix.
Bugs and wool? I found a bug! Is there a way to keep the bugs off. Stupid question, I’m sure, but if there’s a way…
Keep it covered, enclosed in a bag (I use a cloth bag when I’m working with wool, rather than plastic ziplocks or similar, which don’t breathe), maybe invest in a cedar block (the kind sold for closets and storage) to have close by?