Make customized cording, piping, straps, and trim to decorate pillows, table runners, candles and more. Cord jewelry items, friendship bracelets, ropes to applique onto designs...the sky is the limit. Use any fibers, yarns, or strips of material. Combine your favorite colors, team colors, school colors, or colors to coordinate with a project.

Quick! Name five things that are fuzzy (bonus points for fuzzy metallic things). How about: garland on Christmas trees, legs on spiders, flower centers, bushy eyebrows, other, ahem, hairy things, peaches, caterpillars, lots of bugs actually, baby chicks, moldy cheese, your brain after a long weekend. How many could you list? Nature and life itself are full of texture. It makes things visually interesting and tactile.

You can recreate the fuzzy factor of true life objects with Kreinik's Micro Ice Chenille in your favorite hobby: needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery, fly fishing, crochet, knitting, weaving. It adds whimsy, dimension, texture, and just plain visual interest to a design.

What is Micro Ice Chenille and where can you use it?

• it's a fuzzy metallic
• couch in needlepoint, cross stitch, quilting, crazy quilting for surface embroidery (couch it with a Kreinik Cord or Very Fine #4 Braid, rather than stitch in and out)
• can also use it in long stitches in needlepoint if the canvas is not densely stitched (Micro Ice Chenille just doesn't like going in and out of fabric very much)
• combine it with any other fiber for cording and trims on stockings, ornaments, etc
• crochet little accessories and appliques (wreaths, flowers)
• use it in duplicate stitch in knitting (like a spider!)

To use in weaving:

• Can be used in weft, not for warp (too much stress)
• Weight/Yardage: Kreinik metallic yarns are not measured in terms of weight like wool or cotton yarns are, so measure by yard or meter. Purchase 50-meter cones; or cones of any amount by special order.
• Sett = 5 epi
• Care: Kreinik metallics don't felt, and are inelastic compared to some other types of yarns, so for best results, we recommend testing the threads with the weaving yarns you plan to use before beginning your project.
• Tips from weaver Deb Essen of DJE Handwovens: 1. Pull the thread off the cone horizontally, not from the top, to avoid adding twist to the fiber. 2. Combine with other yarns (rather than use a metallic exclusively) as an accent yarn for best results ("It makes a great, fun fabric"). 3. Test how the textures work together before making your main project: make test swatches if using stretchy yarns with the inelastic metallics, for instance, then use a warm-water wash for the wet-finishing. 4. You may want to experiment with looser sett to vary drapability. 5. Play! Have fun! "I love how the colors pop in sunlight or lamplight and shimmer as the piece is moved." 

Content: 

Cotton core, polyester metallic

Allison Aller answers a common question: “Which needle should I use for hand embroidery on cotton fabric?”

Needle selection is a major contributor to your happiness factor, whether you are hand or machine stitching. Using an incorrect needle will cause a thread to fray, knot, and otherwise misbehave. Many of the problems people have with thread can be solved by needle selection. The problem isn't necessarily the thread, but rather a too-thin needle, a needle with a bad eye, a needle with a too-small eye, or something similar. So "which needle should I use" is a great question.

Needle Sizes to use with Kreinik Metallic Threads

Allie says: As a rule, I use needles with eyes that are larger and shafts a bit thicker than might be needed for regular threads. Because these are metallics, I don’t want any tension to stretch the thread or too small an eye to cause them to fray as I am stitching with them. This also makes for easy threading — you don’t want a fight when you are threading up.

• Kreinik Cord—is very fine, but still I use a #8 Embroidery needle. I don’t want any tension to stretch the thread or cause it to fray, so I use a slightly bigger needle than I normally would for this weight of thread.
• Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid: #22 Chenille. Again, the eye is larger than needed but the shaft of the needle makes a large enough hole that there is no resistance to the thread. This size needle is easy to thread as well—you don’t want to fight that.
• Kreinik Fine #8 Braid: #20 Chenille is good for this size.
• Kreinik Tapestry #12 Braid: 18 Chenille
• Kreinik Medium #16 Braid: #18 Chenille
• Kreinik 1/16” ribbon: I like a #18 Chenille or Darner.
• Kreinik 1/8” ribbon: #14 Chenille or Darner

Your goal is to have a clean (not rusty), fully operational (no burrs in the eye) needle with an eye large enough to accommodate the thread, but not too large that it creates too big of a hole in your fabric. Experiment on your own pairing Crewel needles, Tapestry needles, Chenille needles, and Darner needles with Kreinik threads and your chosen fabrics to find the perfect fit.

Allison is an award-winning quilt designer, teacher, and writer. She specializes in crazy quilts, and has extensive knowledge of embroidery. For more information on Allison, visit http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/ or check quilt stores and Amazon.com for her books. She's @alliealler on Instagram.

If you've heard the news that DMC discontined their Memory Thread, don't worry: you can substitute Kreinik Wired Braid™. The only difference is that Kreinik's version is metallic, so your designs might brighten up a little bit. Hey, when you're made to stand out, you have to stand out, right?

Memory Thread and Wired Braid compared

• Both threads are thick fibers meant to be couched onto a design for borders, outlines, and other bold effects
• Both threads are wired, which means you can bend and shape them for 3-dimensional effects
• Kreinik's version is all metallic. 
• Memory Thread had more shades than Wired Braid, but never fear, you can make your own out of any Kreinik shade (see "Other options" below)

Other options for substitutions:

• Kreinik Wired Facets aren't smooth like Memory Thread or Wired Braid, but rather look like a string of beads. They would be a fun, textured option to use in the same way as Memory Thread. See the colors here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Wired-Facets.html
• Make your own: 1. Cut an 18-inch strand of Kreinik Medium #16 Braid (our Braid comes in over 200 colors, varying in metallic sheen from basic to antiqued, hi luster, even glow in the dark, http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Medium-16-Braid.html). 2. Insert a piece of craft-gauge wire (from a craft store), working it through the center of the Braid. Then use as you would Memory Thread. 

Here's a conversion list from DMC Memory Thread to Kreinik:

• 6010 Brown = Kreinik Wired Braid 152VW or 005W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 022
• 6020 Black = Kreinik Wired Braid 005W
• 6040 Red = Kreinik Wired Braid 003W
• 6050 White = Kreinik Wired Braid 5760W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 100
• 6070 Light Green = Kreinik Wired Braid 015W
• 6080 Olive = Kreinik Wired Braid 009W or 015W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 016L
• 6100 Navy = Kreinik Wired Braid 051HLW, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 018V
• 6110 Turquoise = Kreinik Wired Braid 015W or 051HLW, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 3506, 014, or 029
• 6120 Fuchsia = Kreinik Wired Braid 003W or 5700W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 024
• 6130 Pink = Kreinik Wired Braid 5700W
• 6150 Orange = Kreinik Wired Braid 150VW or 152VW
• 6190 Green = Kreinik Wired Braid 009W or 015W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 008
• 6170 Yellow = Kreinik Wired Braid 202HLW or 002JW, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 5520, 5720 or 028
• 6180 Lavender = Kreinik Wired Braid 026W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 012
• 6200 Gold = Kreinik Wired Braid 002W
• 6210 Silver = Kreinik Wired Braid 001W
• 6240 White Luster = Kreinik Wired Braid 5760W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 032
• 6310 Gray = Kreinik Wired Braid 001JW, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 025
• 6320 Burgundy = Kreinik Wired Braid 003W or 5700W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 153V, 031L, or 080HL
• 6330 Dark Green = Kreinik Wired Braid 009W
• 6340 Medium Green = Kreinik Wired Braid 009W or 015W, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 008 or 5982
• 6350 Light Yellow = Kreinik Wired Braid 5725W
• 6360 Sky Blue = Kreinik Wired Braid 051HLW, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 9400 or 094
• 6380 Purple = Kreinik Wired Braid 026W
• 6390 Aqua = Kreinik Wired Braid 015W or 051HLW, or Kreinik Medium #16 Braid 029, 684, or 829

Silk Serica® can be used as is, straight from the reel, as a 3-ply twisted filament silk. It can also be separated and used as a flat silk. Made of 100% pure filament silk, the sheen is so rich and bright, it instantly turns any design into a work of art. Perfect in heirloom projects and designs focusing on different textures.

The most important tip to remember when working with Silk Serica: moisturize your hands with a non-greasy hand cream. This will keep the filament silk from snagging on rough spots. 

See Description below for more tips and usage ideas.

Silk Bella™ is the thinnest of the Kreinik silk threads. It is a filament silk with a bright sheen, visible in designs even with it's small weight. It is a beautiful thread when used in any stitch, in any technique. Silk Bella is dyed in colors to match Silk Mori® and Silk Serica®. 

Content: 100% pure filament silk

Care

Silk Bella should only be dry cleaned. Do not wash or wet block silk work. Do not use an embroidery hoop with silk thread in hand stitchery, as the rings, markings or folds left in the fabric cannot be removed by washing the piece. Instead, use stretcher bars, Q-snaps, or scroll frames.

Applications

Appliqué (hand and machine), blackwork, costume making, crazy quilting (hand and machine), crewel, crochet, cross stitch/counted thread, couching, doll making (hand or machine), hardanger, Japanese embroidery, knitting, lace making, machine embroidery/bobbin work, machine embroidery/couching, miniatures, needlepoint/canvas work, punch embroidery, ribbon embroidery (hand and machine), smocking, stumpwork, weaving.

Hand Embroidery, Cross Stitch, Samplers, Needlepoint 

Silk Bella is ideal for a variety of stitches in samplers, hardanger, crewel, stumpwork, pulled work, crazy quilting, petit point, and needlepoint or canvas work. Use it straight from the reel as a 3-ply twisted thread for tent stitch, satin stitch, kloster blocks and other stitches that showcase its texture. It is similar in weight to a #12 Pearl Cotton. Do not separate strands; use as is, straight off the reel.

Tips on using Silk Bella

• To keep your stitching looking its best, take time to wash your hands before stitching. Use a non-greasy hand cream to moisturize hands and prevent the silk from snagging on dry skin or cuticles.
• Prepare your ground material (fabric or canvas) prior to stitching to prevent the silk from snagging on rough edges. Turn the edges under with a running stitch, or cover the edges with tape.
• Silk Bella® comes on a snap-spool mechanism. Both sides of the spool open; look for the side where the thread end is located. Insert your thumbnail under the cap, and rotate the spool while gently lifting the cap to release the thread (the cap should not pop off). Snap the lid shut to secure the unused portion.
• Use lengths of silk no longer than 45cm (18 inches) for better thread control and reduced thread abrasion from repeated passes through the ground material. Use a needle large enough to 'open' the hole in the fabric to allow the silk thread to go through easily.
• It is important to maintain Silk Bella's twist as it comes from the spool to ensure uniform stitches from beginning to end. Since all of us as stitchers twist our needles a little bit while stitching, apply a slight reverse twist to your needle, or allow your needle to dangle every one or two stitches. This will prevent the softly twisted silk from untwisting or becoming too tightly twisted. 

Metallic trim for adding a level of elegance, texture and dimension to any design. Can be couched on the surface or used as edging. Also available in a wired version. This package is an assortment of 1-meter each of 14 colors.

Interesting note: This trim was used in embroidery on costumes in Game Of Thrones by designer Michele Carragher. 

Metallic trim for adding a level of elegance, texture and dimension to any design. Can be couched on the surface or used as edging. Also available in a wired version. This package is an assortment of 1-meter each of 14 colors of Kreinik 3/8" WIRED Trim.

Interesting note: This trim was used in embroidery on costumes in Game Of Thrones by designer Michele Carragher. 

Beads in embroidery create interesting bumpy texture and add 3-dimensional lift. That sounds awesome—until you start stringing a hundred tiny orbs that roll around when you try to pick them up. How many times have you toppled your bead tray, or how many beads have you lost under in the couch, while trying to embroider with them? There's an easier way! We're here to make your bead-life better, with Kreinik Facets.

Kreinik Facets are a bead-like yarn that you couch on the surface of your needlework. They're essentially beads that are already strung together. So you get no mess, no flying beads—only the cool look of 3-D texture without the hassle. On your way to becoming a Kreinik thread expert this year, you will want to explore this fun fiber option. Here's everything you need to know about Kreinik Facets to make your next project as gorgeous as ever.

Five facts about Kreinik Facets

• It's faster than beading. Imagine simply laying one strand of beads, rather than threading individual beads one at a time.
• It's a surface embroidery thread, you don't stitch in and out with it like a traditional Kreinik Braid. This actually makes it versatile: you can use it on any size canvas or fabric.
• It comes in two sizes: regular Facets and Petite Facets, which are half the weight of regular Facets.
• It comes in a wired version. Aside from the obvious 3-D effects, the wire holds its shape while you couch it down (ie, great for cursive words).
• You can use it to make interesting cords. Take the red Facets and cord with Kreinik's Micro Ice Chenille in green, for instance, using the Custom Corder tool, then turn the cording into a wreath shape. The Facets look like holly berries.

Where to use Facets

Think of this fun fiber for borders, trims, cording. Use Facets to replicate jewelry, garland, rope-like areas, or any motif where you would normally use beads.

• needlepoint
• cross stitch
• embroidery
• clothing
• quilts
• home decor

How to use Facets

1. First, prepare the ends. This is the trickiest part about Facets, but easily controllable. Wrap a piece of tape tightly around the end. Use a large needle or awl to open the hole in your fabric or canvas, and plunge the end to the back of your work. Use the needle or your finger to "close" the canvas/fabric fibers around the Facets.
2. Alternate thread-end prep: use a clear nail polish or FrayCheck™ to stop any raveling. After it dries, the ends can be secured as part of your stitching on the surface of your work (no need to plunge to the back).
3. Couch Facets (tack them down) using either a matching color of Kreinik thread (like #4 Braid or Cord), a clear monofilament thread, or a contrasting color of any thread (like silk or metallic). What you use to couch them depends on the look you want to achieve in your design. Feel free to experiment and have fun here.
4.  When finished, either plunge the end to the back (as in #1 above) or use #2 option to finish off the end.