Things You'll Need:
- Crewelwork design and instructions
- Yarn
- Needle
- Canvas
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Step 1
Consider the color foremost when you select a needlework yarn. The success of your finished project relies heavily on the colors chosen for your composition. Most needlework or crewelwork kits will come with a list of suggested colors listed by name and product code.
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Step 2
Look for yarns that are the appropriate gauge for the canvas or foundation fabric you are working with. A canvas with a larger grid requires a more hefty needlework yarn, while canvas with smaller squares will need a finer gauge yarn.
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Step 3
Think about what kind of fiber the yarn is made from. Rayon yarns tend to be the most popular among needle artists for their high sheen and pleasant hand, or feel. Polyester yarns are generally a more economical choice but may not have the same fine appearance in the finished project as a rayon yarn. Silk and wool yarns are typically the most expensive needlework yarns on the market but are also considered the most beautiful.
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Step 4
Experiment with different materials to find the yarn that you like best. Making a sampler piece of different yarns is a great way to see how each yarn behaves and how it will look in other projects.
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Step 5
Select a yarn that works for your budget. If you are working on a large needlework project such as a chair or pillow cover, you may wish to buy a rayon or polyester yarn, while a smaller project such as a miniature picture can be economically completed with even the most expensive yarn.
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Step 6
Check to see if the yarn you selected will work with the needle to be used in your project. The yarn should thread easily through the eye of the needle without fraying or creating small tangles of fibers around the eye.
