Updated January 21, 2023.
The semi-solid blue thread in the photo about is Threadworx’ overdyed Vineyard Silk. It is, quite simply, a lovely thread.
Vineyard Silk is generally recommended for mesh sizes larger than 18 mesh, but I had no problem at all with it on this 18 canvas. I don’t know that it would be great in a solid block of Basketweave, but with textured stitches, there is no problem.
The thread seems slightly softer than non-overdyed Vineyard Silk, but not hugely so. The thread keeps plenty of the directional light (looking different shades with different stitch direction) to add luster and sheen to the piece.
This thread comes in over 20 semi-solid colors, all the threads being different shades of one color. I call these threads semi-solid because they can work to give more energy to a solid area. Imagine using this thread to stitch some blue jeans for example.
Lots of stitchers are afraid to use silk. If you have had bad experiences with silk before or if you have never tried silk, this thread is an outstanding choice. Since it is single ply, you can just cut the skein and go, it doesn’t ravel, has lots of loft so you can use it on many mesh sizes and is easy to use. A great all-purpose silk.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Hi, I am intrigued with this square or diamond – whatever, I am really tired my fur baby kept up most of the night. Is it charted out someplace so I don’t have sit and try and cout this out? My other fur baby decided he is a lap dog and hence I haven’t been able to do much needlework. I have decided I want to try pushing him off a bit (50 pound basset hound) so I can get started. I have volunteered to make some ornaments for a diabetes charity at Christmas time so I thought this would be a good time to start. This looks like it would be fun to try with this type of thread. They want them flat as possible to mail so I could just finish it flat with felt or something on the back. Is the Vineyard the name of this overdyed color or the type. I told you I am really tired….so think I am a total dummie. I have never used their thread but would love to start. Then, maybe on to Charley Harper’s basset hounds – probably in cross stitch though due to the cost. Didn’t you have a fun needlepoint ornament book or something I never got around to ordering? Any help would be appreciated.
The chart for this ornament is found at: https://www.caron-net.com/free_byzantine.html and it is a free pattern. Vineyard Silks is a brand of silk thread. To find the overdyed version used here, look at the Threadworx site (https://www.threadworx.com) and find the overdyed silks in the catalog. There is a link to the line there.
Keep Stitching,
Janet
Good Morning
Am seeking another skein or two of Silk n Colors ‘Caravan Road’ overdye. It is no longer being produced but I NEED it! Might you have some hiding in a back room?
Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks,
Monica
I’m not a shop, so I don’t have any. I have two suggestions for where to look. You might contact Thread Gatherer to see if they have any & then order it through your local shop. Or you might post something on the ANG list asking if anyone had any.
Keep Stitching,
Janet