With the increasing unavailability of Paternayan, many shops are dropping this line of wool in favor of others. For us, as stitchers, who like wool, we may find ourselves turning to older stashes of Paternayan that we get from friends, from our own stash, or from eBay and thrift shops.
This is great because it will let many of us continue to stitch with a fiber we love. BUT
You may not be happy with the result.
This is because there was a change in how Persian Wool was spun and understanding it is important to good results.
Modern Persian Wool, including Waverly and Paternayan has three strands that are even in width. So, just as you do with floss, or silk, or just about any other stranded thread, you don’t worry about what strands to combine.
But older Paternayan (and probably other Persian Wools as well) doesn’t have strands even in width.In fact, the strands re three different sizes. I think of them as Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear. If you are using two strands, combine Papa with Baby, or put together two Mamas. These combinations will be the same width. Do other combinations and the thickness will be uneven, resulting in blotchy needlepoint.
You can see the size difference pretty easily if you untwist an inch of two of the strand. Flaying at the ends sometimes makes it hard to see, so be sure to untwist a bit. If there is not a visible difference, it’s probably newer Persian.
What do you do if you are only using one strand? I wouldn’t recommend using Persian here at all (this could be why 18 mesh wasn’t that popular in the 80’s), but if you do try to use all Mamas.
I’d show you an example, but I don’t have any Persian Wool, old or new.
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
this was really helpful! I’m beside myself leaving 2 projects in mid-stream scrounging for replacement wool across the country. Seriously thinking of raising my own sheep in my new york city apartment.
Iam looking for Paternayan #870 and #872 I would like 10 hanks each finishing a project. Thanks
Hello, I have over a hundred 4 oz. skeins of what I assume is the new paternayan (all strands are the same thickness). I am changing yarn suppliers. Contact ldkocher@hotmail.com
Is there another brand that is comparable to paternayen ? Thank you
The two brands closest to Paternayan are Colonial Persian from Colonial Needle and Waverly Wool from Brown Sheep. Both of these have three two-ply strands.
Another wool that comes as a single two-ply strand is Rainbow Persian from Rainbow Gallery. Because it’s a new thread,the color selection is limited.
Keep stitching,
Janet
Elsa Williams and Needle Treasures are also Paternayan products and can be found still, on Ebay.