Substituting knitting yarn for tapestry

Is it possible to substitute worsted knitting wool to finish the edges of a
needlpoint which was made using 4 ply tapestry yarn?

Thanks for replies.
Karen

Is it possible to substitute worsted knitting wool to finish the edges of a
needlpoint which was made using 4 ply tapestry yarn?

I remember reading some time ago (sorry, no idea where) about a British
needlepoint teacher who tried this. She made herself a needlepoint tote bag in
which she mixed both Persian and knitting yarn, on the theory that in many
small towns knitting wool is much more available than the Persian. She
reported that she had carried this bag back and forth across the Atlantic
several times, and all through the U.S and Britain on teaching trips, and the
knitting wool held up just as well as the other.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Any thread can be used to finish any tapestry
mirjam
enWorthin) wrote:

Is it possible to substitute worsted knitting wool to finish the edges of a
needlpoint which was made using 4 ply tapestry yarn?

Thanks for replies.
Karen

Is it possible to substitute worsted knitting wool to finish the edges of a
needlpoint which was made using 4 ply tapestry yarn?


It might be the same size, but np tapestry yarn is woven tighter than knitting
worsted. The worsted might not hold up when pulled through the canvas mesh a
bunch of times. Boo

(Boohoo1971) wrote in message ...
Is it possible to substitute worsted knitting wool to finish the edges of a
needlpoint which was made using 4 ply tapestry yarn?


It might be the same size, but np tapestry yarn is woven tighter than knitting
worsted. The worsted might not hold up when pulled through the canvas mesh a
bunch of times. Boo

If you're needlepointing a picture to be framed, this is possible.
Knitting wool hasn't the staying power of tapestry yarn; it's designed
to be more flexible too. Use very short lengths of knitting yarn and
keep checking to see if canvas is fully covered. Sometimes I've had
to go over stitches twice, which changes the texture of the piece.

Even if you're just finishing off edges, tapestry yarn is safer!

Good luck.

Kate

(KarenWorthin) wrote in message ...
Is it possible to substitute worsted knitting wool to finish the edges of a
needlpoint which was made using 4 ply tapestry yarn?


Yes, you can and many threads we use for needlepoint today are dyed
and repackaged knitting yarns.

However, you need to be careful ofseveral things.

First, knitting yarns are often less strong and will wear in the
needle faster, this is because needlepoint canvas has rough edges on
the hole which wear out threads.

Second, many kinds of knitting yarns stretch too much to be used well
for needlepoint. Pull a bit of the yarn and if it stretches a good
amount, it isn't well suited.

Third the threads need to match in weight and thicknes. Knitting
threads are often much thicker than needlepoint threads. If they are
twisted loosely enough to become tapestry wool size, they ought to
work.

Best idea -- test it first.

Keep Stitching,
Janet
Napa Needlepoint
http://www.napaneedlepoint.com