PEBBLES - 011 - Watercolours - by The Caron Collection

Details

The following is from The Caron Collection regarding their threads.

"Our hand-dyed threads are all variegated. A single skein may incorporate two to seven different colors. Everything is done by hand and in small batches, so we can be far more creative in the blending of our colors than a large commercial operation. This also means that each batch of yarn we dye is unique - never quite like the one before it even though we've used the same formulas."
For detailed information on all the threads that will be listed here as well as questions and answers by the manufacturers, please go the www.caron-net.com/threadguide for more details, and reference the thread guide for details on the dyeing process as well as a "faq" section on how to manage thread issues.
We will be listing Watercolours, Wildflowers, Waterlillies, Overdyed Impressions, Solid Impressions, and Snow.
Watercolours is a three-ply pima cotton - a long-staple, extremely strong fiber. It is mercerized, which makes it even stronger and gives it it's characteristic sheen. Watercolours is not a pearl cotton. Pearl refers to the twist of the yarn, not the type of fiber. The three strands are cabled, but are divisible. They should be separated even if working with multiple plies so that you can control the smoothness of your stitching. Watercolours has the same versatility as Persian wool and can be used for all forms of needlework including needlepoint, cross stitch, tatting, hardanger, darning patterns, knitting, crochet, and crewel.
On needlepoint use one ply on #18 canvas, two plies on #12, 13 or 14 canvas and three plies on #10 count. Use one ply on Congress Cloth (#24) for bargello or upright stitches over several threads. One additional ply is necessary for bargello and some decorative stitches on larger counts of canvas.
For couching or certain decorative stitches Watercolours can be used just as it comes. The texture will be different than when the strands are separated and laid flat. For cross stitch, in general use one ply on your fabric. Work cross stitches over one thread for #11 and 14 counts, over two threads on #18 and 20 counts. For hardanger, use one ply of Watercolours for the kloster blocks on 18, 22 or 25 count fabrics.
For crewel the number of plies will be dictated by the design and amount of texture. Most times one ply is sufficient. If the ground fabric is very fine, the Watercolours may have to be couched down with a finer thread.
For knitting and crochet use the yarn just as it comes without separating the strands.
Wildflowers is a single strand cotton which we dye in all the same colors as Watercolours. It is between a #8 and #12 pearl cotton in weight - roughly the same as a flower thread. While Watercolours looks similar to a pearl cotton and has a silky sheen, Wildflowers looks more like a fine wool and has a matte finish when stitched. It can be used successfully on a wide range of fabrics and canvases. In addition to all of the uses listed for Watercolours, Wildflowers is excellent for lacemaking and tatting.
Although the same dye formulas are used on both Watercolours and Wild- flowers, the same colors on both threads may look different. Interesting effects can be acheived by using both threads in the same piece in the same color. Hardanger embroidery lends itself particularly well to the use of both threads.
This cotton is available in 36-yard, 120-yard and 400-yard skeins. Cutting at the knot will yield all one-yard lengths.
For needlepoint use one strand on #24 canvas, two strands on #18, three strands on #16 or 13. Since Wildflowers is a single-strand cotton, you will always get a tweedy effect if you stitch with multiple plies in your needle since the colors will not match from one strand to the next. For a lacy effect, try one strand on 18 mesh. This can be particularly striking on a handpainted canvas. For cross stitch use one strand over two threads on #32 -24 count evenweave fabrics. Use one strand over one thread on #18 and 14 count fabrics.
For hardanger, one strand is perfect for wrapped fillings on #22-30 count fabrics. Like Watercolours, use a single strand for most crewel work.
Waterlilies is a twelve-ply silk. It's counterpart in solid colors is called Soie Cristale, which is also available from the Caron Collection. Most of the Waterlilies colors corres-pond to shades in the Watercolours and Wildflowers lines. Because there are fewer available dye sites on the silk, the Waterlilies colors are generally softer and more muted than the cotton threads.
The strands are divisible and this silk handles well, making it a perfect choice for embroidery on very fine fabrics as well as on larger counts of canvas and fabric. Cut the skein at the knot to get six one-yard lengths. If this is too long, untie the knot and cut the silk to comfortable working lengths. Waterlilies is also available in 40-yard and 100-yard skeins. As with any stranded fiber, Waterlilies should be stripped (separate all the strands and put them back together again). Much of the beauty of silk comes from the reflection of light off its surface, so smooth stitches are important. To help keep the strands perfectly flat and smooth, the use of a laying tool such as a tekobari, bodkin, collar stay or large tapestry needle is advised.
For needlepoint, use two plies on Congress cloth, three plies on #20 fabric, four plies on #18 canvas or fabric, six plies on #13/14 canvas. For long straight stitches add one extra ply (i.e. go to four plies on 20-count Jobelan, five plies on #18 canvas, etc.)
For cross stitch over two threads use two or three plies on 14-count fabrics, two plies on 18-count and one ply on 22-count hardanger or #25-32 linens. De-pending on the desired density of your cross stitches, one ply over one thread can be successfully worked on 28-count fabrics in small areas and on anything coarser than that.
Because of the generous number of plies in a strand of Waterlilies (12), you have enormous flexibility in the way you control the appearance of your embroidery. For instance, when working on a symmetrical design, you can shade all matching parts alike by threading your needle precisely the same way for each section. Illustration 1 shows a de-sign with four symmetrical parts. Using three plies of silk in the needle, it would be possible to work all four corners and/or petals alike. With six plies of silk in the needle you could do any two portions to match.
Waterlilies is well suited for many other types of handwork and may be used in any way you would use cotton floss.
Impressions is a 50% wool, 50% silk. Like Wildflowers, it is a single strand thread, but it is slightly thicker than Wildflowers. It is exceptionally soft and smooth, but extremely strong - a very soothing fiber to stitch with. It is available in both solid and hand-dyed colors. The solid colors are imported and correspond to Soie Cristale silk colors. We dye the variegated colors ourselves and they coordinate with Watercolours, Wild-flowers and Waterlilies. Because of the different properties of wool and silk, even solid colors will give a slightly heathered appearance when stitched, adding depth and texture to your needlework without changing threads.
Impressions comes in 36-yard, 120-yard and 400-yard skeins and, like the other threads, can be cut into one-yard lengths.
One strand works well for most needlepoint stitches on 24-18 count canvas, although basketweave on Congress cloth should be done in small areas only. One strand is also fine for upright stitches on #24 canvas, but use two strands for upright stitches on 18 mesh. Slanted stitches, both long and short, are very defined on 18-mesh if one strand is used. The same stitches done with two strands are smooth and silky. Experi-ment for the right look for each piece of embroidery. 13-count canvas requires two strands for needlepoint stitches and two - three strands for upright stitches.
For cross stitch worked over two threads, one strand is suitable for 32-18 count fabrics. When doing cross stitch over one thread use 18, 16 or 14-count fabrics, including Aida. For decorative stitches on evenweave fabrics, one strand is best for most counts, although some stitches may be too bulky on very fine weaves. On 18 or 14-count grounds, two strands may be required for selected stitches unless a very lacy look is your goal.
Because of it's strength, smoothness and subtle sheen, Impressions can't be beat for crewel embroidery. Difficult stitches such as bullion knots are hassle free and the overall look of crewel embroidery worked with Impressions is delicate and elegant."

Feel free to contact us with any questions that you have. We do not take returns or exchanges of any fiber products, so we want all our customers to be happy. If there are any questions or concerns that we can address for you on the front end, please let us know, so we can ensure you are happy with your purchase.