The method of cross stitch (English vs. Danish) and the direction in which variegated thread is stitched can have quite an impact on the way a finished piece looks. I’ve created a sample patch using 3 different threads to show the resulting patterns when variegated thread is used Vertically, Horizontally, in a Spiral and Diagonally. Those 4 columns were stitched using the English method of crossing each stitch as you go. The last column was created using the Danish method of laying all the bottom half-crosses in a row first, then coming back through that row with the top half-cross.
It is a widely accepted “rule” that you must cross each stitch as you go when using variegated threads. As shown in the last column, that’s not always the case… it just depends on the look you are going for. Stitching Danish can produce a softer appearance where you get the color differences but not quite so defined. I tend to stitch English, and I’ve gotten so used to using the variegated threads that I find myself crossing each X as I go even when using solid DMC!
Hand dyed threads are typically packaged in one of two ways: either looped over a hang tag or tied to one. I wish I would have had directions the first time I encountered the tied version… I bet I spent 10 minutes trying to untie the little knot before I gave up and reached for my scissors. If you are impatient like me, I recommend just clipping the thread on the skein side of the knot. Then you can untwist; you will be left with a solid (uncut) skein:
Skeins can be uncut or pre-cut into one-yard lengths. Either way, you’ll want to work with no more than 18″ at a time. With pre-cut skeins I just cut one length in half before separating into strands for stitching, with uncut skeins I cut off an 18″ (or so) length before separating into strands. To strand, tap the cut end until it splays and pull a single strand out at a time and then regroup int the number of number of strands needed. Trying to pull more than one strand at a time results in threads that just don’t lay as nicely.
In no particular order, here’s a link roundup of American thread dyers:
- Carrie’s Creation 6 strand cotton, Floche
- Dinky-Dyes 6 strand cotton, silk, and perle (5, 8, & 12)
- Crescent Colours 6 strand cotton, silk
- Divine Threads silk ribbon, rayon thread
- Ozark Sampler 6 strand cotton
- JAR Designs 6 strand cotton
- Olde Willow 6 strand cotton, silk, perle, and linen floss
- Gloriana offers several types of silk and perle
- The Thread Gatherer dyes silk, cotton, wool, and linen threads
- Caron Collection cotton, silk, & wool silk
- Vikki Clayton offers “cost-effective” silks in different varieties
- The Gentle Art 6 strand cotton, wool floss
- J L Walsh (no website- link to Google search for shops) silk, silk perle
- Weeks Dye Works 6 strand cotton, perle (3,5, & 8)
- Lavender & Lace Needlepaints 6 strand cotton
- The Pure Palette creates & dyes Soy Luster thread
- Threadworx 6 strand cotton, perle, and rayon blends
April 17, 2008 at 8:02 am
Well, I just have to thank you for this! Now I have a site to send my stitchers to when I want to explain the look I am going for on one of my new pieces.
Btw, Weeks Mermaid is my very favoritest color! I mean, really- navy, turquoise, purple, lime green, and yellow all in one thread… What could be better? LOL
Thank you!
May 6, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Great resource Monique. It really helps to see what the threads do as they travel across the work - colorwise.
Thanks, Marlon
May 6, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Thank you Monique for this information. I agree with Marlon that it really helps to see what the threads do.
Val
May 8, 2008 at 6:09 am
Thank you for the explanation on the variegated. It was very informative.
June 29, 2008 at 12:27 am
Thanks for the interesting little chart of how the colours turn out using the various methods of stitching. Will keep it for future reference.
I not that you also have a list of “American thread dyers”. I find it interesting that you have Dinky Dyes listed. Dinky Dyes are Australian, having started here in Perth, Western Australia. The very name “Dinky Dyes” is an Australian expression meaning the real thing. I know Jo lives in the US, but she is Australian.
Maggie in Western Australia