It was so hard to decide what to write about, that represents by the letter C in my A-B-C Revitalization Challenge.
When it comes to the letter C, there are a lot of options!
On my Facebook page – which is also running an A-B-C Revitalization Challenge – I think I focused on “C for Cat.” But I really only have one cat here on the website – that’s this one in the Thousand Flowers design collection.
This seemed to be rather restrictive.
So I picked Crewel instead, and today, I’m going to highlight some crewel-related do-dads from the archives.
Come along! Let us cavort about with crewel…
Let’s start with the Crewel Rooster.
This is a step-by-step project developed here on Needle ‘n Thread, and you’ll find all the information and even the design available here in the Crewel Rooster Project Index.
The rooster was a bit of an experiment. I was just trying out different types of crewel wool (this was some 15 years ago!), and he was just a doodled up design. I didn’t plan for him to reach any level of interest or popularity, but he did – so much so that…
Yes, someone stole him!
I know! Shock Horror!
I don’t literally mean someone stole the embroidery. I mean that some nefarious fraudster stole the content about him – including the images – and incorporated them into a print-on-demand / cheap download on Amazon. Nice, eh?
I got that taken care of, only to find him show up shortly thereafter as the cover photo on another cheap downloadable book on Amazon.
Who knew the fellow would be so popular?
He’s really not my favorite project in the world, but I do like some parts of him.
I think he has a good body, for example. And I like to think he has a handsome wing.
Perhaps that’s why he was stolen.
I’ve always liked these little “crewel smalls” by Barbara Jackson (Tristan Brooks Designs). I wrote about this one here.
Admittedly, I didn’t write much about it, because it was just a fun little piece I was dabbling with. These kits aren’t available anymore, I’m afraid.
But it’s a good study in simple crewel design and simple stitches. I also like the way that Barbara Jackson combined wool (she uses Heathway wool) and other fibers (there’s a silk blend in there, too).
If you’d like to read up on wool threads – which are a common denominator in authentic crewel embroidery – here’s a series of articles that I presented not too long ago (within the past two years):
Crewel Threads: A Close Look at Wool Threads
Wool Thread Comparisons: Fillings
Wool Threads: Five More for Your Consideration
Crewel Books
If you’re looking for instruction in crewel embroidery, I’ve reviewed quite a few of them here on Needle ‘n Thread. I’ve linked the books below to my reviews, so you can read more about them:
Beginner’s Guide to Crewel Embroidery
Crewel Embroidery in England by Joan Edwards – this is a book you’ll need to find through used book sources.
Crewel Embroidery: A Practical Guide, by Shelagh Amor.
Crewel and Surface Embroidery by Trish Burr
RSN Essential Stitch Guide for Crewel Work
More to Come!
And that, my friends, is a little taste of crewel, from the Needle ‘n Thread archives. Next up, we’ll explore D, which is for… don’t know yet.
If you’re looking for previous articles in this A-B-C Revitalization series, you can find them here:
A is for Ampersand
B is for Birds
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