How to Embroider With Yarn
Embroidery uses a plethora of stitches to achieve a finished design on a piece of cloth, leather or plastic. Embroidery done with yarn is known as crewel. Fine, delicate stitches are not possible when using yarn, so while the same stitches are used as in embroidery, the pattern design is larger to accommodate the breadth of the yarn. The yarn is threaded through a crewel needle, which has a large eye that accommodates the fibers in the yarn.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Crewel needle
- Fabric with embroidery/crewel design
- Embroidery hoop
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of yarn 18-to 24-inches long. Thread it through the crewel needle.
Note: An easy way to thread yarn through the eye of the needle is to fold a 2-inch end over the shaft of the needle. Pull the short and long end tight. Place your thumb and forefinger on the right and left side of the yarn. Squeeze tightly. Slide the yarn off the needle without releasing the pressure between your thumb and forefinger. Turn the needle so the opening is parallel to the floor and ceiling. Place the eye of the needle directly over the squeezed yarn. Wiggle the needle back and forth over the end of the yarn. You may have to release the pressure very slightly between your thumb and forefinger to accomplish the task. Pull the loop through the eye of the needle until the short end of yarn is all the way through.
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2
Position the area of the fabric where you want to start within an embroidery hoop. Tighten the hoop. Pull the fabric so it is taught.
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3
Choose an appropriate crewel stitch to begin the project. Basic crewel stitches include: back stitch, seed stitch, satin stitch, blanket stitch, chain stitch, feather stitch, French knot, couching and couching. A good beginning stitch is the back stitch.
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4
Insert the needle from the back of the fabric to the front in the desired starting area. Pull the yarn through the fabric until there is a 2-inch end. Fold the end so it is directly beneath the starting area design.
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5
Insert the tip of the needle through the fabric approximately 1/4-inch from the starting point. Pull the yarn through the fabric until it is flush with the surface. Note: The next steps will create a back stitch.
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Place the tail of yarn on the back of the fabric so it crosses the stitch made on top. Insert the point of the needle next to the first stitch, 1/8-inch above the length of the previous stitch. Pull the yarn through the fabric making sure the 2-inch tail is between the back loop. This holds the yarn in place like a knot. Pull the yarn until it is flush with the fabric.
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7
Stitch the remaining back stitch from the front of the project. Insert the point of the needle halfway down the previous stitch and right next to the stitch. Make sure the point of the needle is pointed toward the top of the last stitch. Bring the point of the needle through the fabric 1/8-inch above the last stitch. A step-like pattern is made. Pull the yarn through the fabric until it is flush with the fabric.
Note: Until the beginning 2-inch tail is attached by the first four to five stitches, pull the yarn through until their is a 1-inch loop on back. Insert the 2-inch tail through the loop. Pull the yarn so it is flush with the fabric. Cut the 2-inch tail flush with the fifth stitch.
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8
Tie off a crewel stitch made with yarn by flipping the project over. Insert the tip of the needle through 5 to 10 stitches on the back of the design. Pull the yarn flush with the surface. Cut the yarn even with the last stitch it was pulled through.
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Tips & Warnings
Experiment with other crewel or needlepoint stitches to master embroidery with yarn.
