Color Charts & Conversions
Color inventory lists and a color card are must-have tools for any embroiderer, costume designer, decorator, manufacturer, designer, teacher, artist, and crafter.
Please note: If you place an order on this site, it may take 6 to 8 weeks to get to you. This is due to production delays related to our change in ownership and move. We regret the delay and are working hard to improve.
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Kreinik to Rainbow Gallery color conversion chart
Note: this is a PDF file to download; do not "add to cart"
Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid is a 4-strand metallic thread, and Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid Petite is a 3-strand (just slightly thinner) metallic thread. You can easily exchange one thread for another since they are so close in size. Substitutions listed below are the closest matches in color. Kreinik colors with a C in the number (such as 002C) are highly texturized. Since there isn’t a matching texture in the Treasure Braid Petite line, we list the closest color matches.
Click on the link below to view the chart and download a PDF version to your computer or other device.
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Tapestry Braid and Crystal Braid
Color Conversion Chart
Kreinik Tapestry #12 Braid and Rainbow Gallery Crystal Braid
Both threads are braided metallics that add light, texture and dimension to any design. Use in needlepoint (ideal in tent stitch on 18-count canvas), cross stitch (ideal cross stitches on 11-count), or any specialty stitch in embroidery and crazy quilting. The conversions below are suggestions for the closest matches. If you can’t find one, look for the similar color in the other thread.
Kreinik Tapestry #12 Braid color number
RG Crystal Braid color number
032 Pearl
CR01 White Pearl
9400 Baby Blue
CR02 Baby Blue Pearl
9294 Periwinkle
CR03 Lavender Pearl
092 Star Pink
CR04 Pink Pearl
198 Pale Green
CR05 Mint Green Pearl
191 Pale Yellow
CR06 Lemon Pearl
091 Star Yellow or 5720 Gum Drop Gold
CR07 Yellow Pearl
3280 Citrine
CR08 Old Gold Pearl
3232 Brazilianite
CR09 Vatican Gold Pearl
9192 Light Peach
CR11 Peach Pearl
096 Sea Glass
CR13 Aqua Pearl
101 Platinum or 3201 Moonstone
CR14 Silver Pearl
094 Star Blue or 9732 Blue Grass
CR15 Blue Pearl
095 Starburst
CR16 Northern Lights
3506 Blue Samba
CR17 Tiffany Blue
5505 Red Pepper
CR18 Brite Red
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Kreinik Metallic & Silk Stash Inventory Lists
Here are official inventory sheets for Kreinik silk and metallic threads. Download a copy from this link and print the pages you need:
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Metallic Thread Selection Guide
Which Kreinik metallic thread works best in Cross Stitch? Which Kreinik metallic thread can you use in a sewing machine? These selection questions and more answered below:
CARD MAKING, SCRAPBOOKING:
- Stitching on paper: Cord, Very Fine #4 Braid, Fine #8 Braid
- Ribbons: 1/16" Ribbon, 1/8" Ribbon
COSPLAY, COSTUMING, FASHION:
- See "Hand Embroidery" or "Machine Embroidery" lists (below)
CROCHET:
- Carry-along: Blending Filament, Ombre, Reflective Yarn
- Jewelry: Tapestry #12 Braid, Medium #16 Braid, Canvas #24 Braid
- Bead crochet: Fine #8 Braid, Tapestry #12 Braid
CROSS STITCH:
- Blending Filament (use by itself or combined with other thread like cotton embroidery floss)
- Cord (backstitching, couching)
- Very Fine #4 (on 16- and 18-count Aida or over two threads on 28-, 32-count linens)
- Fine #8 (on 14-count Aida, or over two threads on 28-count)
- Tapestry #12 Braid (12-count fabrics)
- Medium #16 Braid (11-count fabrics)
- 1/16" Ribbon (10- to 11-count fabrics)
- 1/8" Ribbon (6- to 8-count fabrics)
- Cross stitching on unusual materials, like pegboard, screens, etc? Go up to one of our larger Braids, such as Medium #16 Braid, Canvas #24 Braid, or Heavy #32 Braid); the larger the Braid number, the heavier the thread.
HAND EMBROIDERY:
- Stitch in and out of the fabric: Cord (for very fine details), Very Fine #4 Braid, Fine #8 Braid
- Couch for surface embellishment: Medium #16 Braid, Canvas #24 Braid, Heavy #32 Braid, 3/8" Trim, Facets, Petite Facets, Micro Ice Chenille, Wired Braid, 3/8" Trim
- Ribbon embroidery stitches: 1/16" Ribbon, 1/8" Ribbon, 1/4" Ribbon, Easter Grass
- Dimensional, shaped stitches: 3/8" Trim with wire, Wired Braid
KNITTING:
- Carry-along: Blending Filament, Ombre
- Bead Knitting: Fine #8 Braid, Tapestry #12 Braid
MACHINE EMBROIDERY and QUILTING:
- In the needle: Cord, Japan #1
- In the bobbin: Ombre, #4 and #8 Braids, Cord
- Couched: Facets, Petite Facets, Micro Ice Chenille, Ribbons, Braids (all sizes), Wired Braid, 3/8” Trim, Cable, Japan #5, 7
NEEDLEPOINT:
- Blending Filament (if blending with other fibers) (also can be used on 40-count silk gauze)
- Cord (backstitching, couching)
- Cable (3-ply twist for specialty stitches on any canvas)
- Very Fine #4 Braid (blending on any canvas)
- Fine #8 Braid (18-, 24-count)
- Tapestery #12 Braid (18-, 14-count)
- Medium #16 Braid (14-, 13-count)
- Canvas#24 Braid (13-, 12-count)
- Heavy #32 Braid (12-, 10-count)
- Ombre (18-count canvas, or specialty stitches)
- Couched: Petite Facets, Facets, Micro Ice Chenille, 3/8” Trim, Wired Braid, Japan Threads
- Ribbons: 1/16” (24-, 18-count canvas); 1/8” (14-, 13-count); 1/4” (12-, 10-count), Easter Grass (any canvas)
PUNCHNEEDLE:
- Blending Filament (#1 needle)
- Very Fine #4 Braid (#1 and #3 needles)
- Fine #8 Braid (#3 needle)
PLASTIC CANVAS:
- Medium #16 Braid (14 count)
- Canvas #24 Braid (10-count)
- Heavy #32 Braid (7 count)
- 1/8" Ribbon (7-10 count)
MIXED MEDIA, CRAFTS, STRING ART, OTHER FIBER ARTS:
- All fibers
SAMPLERS:
- Cord (backstitching, couching)
- Very Fine #4 Braid (over two threads on 28-, 32-, 36-count linens)
- Fine #8 Braid (over two threads on 28-count linens)
- Cable (long stitches and specialty stitches)
- 1/16" Ribbon (woven stitches)
SASHIKO:
- Very Fine #4 Braid
- Fine #8 Braid
- Tapestry #12 Braid
- 1/16" Ribbon
SWEDISH WEAVING:
- Very Fine #4 Braid
- Fine #8 Braid
- 1/16" Ribbon
- 1/8" Ribbon
TEMARI:
- Fine #8 Braid
- Tapestry #12 Braid
- Japan thread
- 1/16" Ribbon
WEAVING:
- Warp: Ombre, Ribbons (basic colors), Braids (basic colors)
- Weft: Micro Ice Chenille, Ombre, Ribbons and Braids (any color)
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Discontinued Kreinik metallic colors
We hate to discontinue any thread color, but sometimes it is required due to manufacturing problems (for example, if we can't get the raw material to transform it into your favorite Kreinik threads). You will find the list of discontinued colors below. If you have these in your stash, we recommend putting a mark on the label to indicate a discontinued color.
Important tips for stitchers who buy thread stashes on Ebay, at estate sales, and Goodwill/Salvation Army stores:
- The thread dye lot most likely has changed. Mark those threads so you know and won't get caught running out mid project.
- Some of those threads may be discontinued. Google search or contact the manufacturer to double check before you use them in a project (and end up needing more).
Discontinued Kreinik colors and substitution suggestions:
NM means no close match
- 003C Red Cord = 003 Red
- 005C Black Cord = 005 Black
- 007C Pink Cord = 007 Pink
- 008C Green Cord = 008 Green
- 011C Nickel Cord = 010HL Steel Grey
- 012C Purple Cord = 012 Purple
- 022L = 052HL Bronze
- 026L = 026 Amethyst
- 027L Orangeruptis = 027 Orange
- 029L = 029 Turquoise
- 031L Berry Red = 153V Vintage Burgundy
- 032C Pearl Cord = 032 Pearl
- 034 Confetti = NM
- 041 Confetti Pink = 044 Confetti Blue
- 041C Confetti Pink Cord = 044 Confetti Blue
- 042 Confetti Fuchsia = NM
- 042L Optic Opal = NM
- 043 Confetti Green = NM
- 051C Sapphire Cord = 051HL Sapphire Hi Lustre
- 051F Tangerine glow in the dark = NM
- 052F Grapefruit glow in the dark = NM
- 053F Lime glow in the dark = NM
- 054F Lemon-Lime glow in the dark = NM
- 055F Watermelon glow in the dark = NM
- 056F Blueberry glow in the dark = NM
- 057F Grape glow in the dark = NM
- 070 Mardi Gras = 5011 Elfin Green
- 080 Garnet in Miro Ice Chenille = Red is a bolder version
- 080C Garnet Cord = 080HL Garnet Hi Lustre
- 086C Fern = 4201 Sugar Cane
- 087C Meadow Grass = 089 Aspen
- 088C Lily Pond Cord = 4201 Sugar Cane
- 104C Colonial Gold Cord = 102C Vatican Gold Cord
- 195 Sunburst = 095 Starburst
- 202C Indigo Cord = 018 Navy
- 225C Slate Cord = 4204 Storm Cloud
- 2094HL Heather Hi Lustre = NM
- 235 Red Ember = 307 Deep Coral
- 271 Plum = 3223 Ametrine
- 664 Magenta Blue = NM
- 3240 Opal = 095 Starburst
- 3508 Rhumba Green = 829 Mint Julep
- 3509 Cha Cha Verde = 008HL Green Hi Lustre
- 3540 Bolero Black = 005 Black
- 393 Silver Night = 622 Wedgewood Blue
- 4001 Green Tea = 4201 Sugar Cane
- 4002 Spiced Chai = 4202 Dusky Meadow
- 4003 Ginseng Gold = 4203 Cattail
- 4004 Earl Grey = 4204 Storm Cloud
- 4005 Sugar Cube = 102 Vatican Gold
- 4006 Rosehip = 007 Pink
- 4639 Light Aqua = 3214 Blue Zircon
- 5002 Pixiedust = NM
- 5004 Love Potion = 024L Fiery Fuchsia
- 5007 Brocade = 5006 Ore
- 5008 Leprechaun = 009 Emerald
- 5500 PInk Lemonade - 5700 Cotton Candy
- 5525 Lemon = 5725 Lollipop Lemon
- 5530 Rosemary Green = 4201 Sugar Cane
- 9132 Lemongrass = 5725 Lollipop Lemon
- 9300 Orchid = NM (closest pastel is slightly darker 093 Star Mauve)
- Easter Grass in 1/8" Ribbon size (Easter Grass still available in 1/16" and 1/32")
- Marine Blue in Micro Ice Chenille = NM
- Petite/Facets 012 = Petite/Facets 026
- Petite/Facets 029L = NM

