Knitting With Embroidery Floss (Helpful Guide and Tips)
It may be thinking outside of the box. The idea to knit with embroidery floss may seem like a crazy idea but some people are trying to get it done. This technique is not just for the free thinkers of the world but also for those who want to save a little money on costs
You may not have realized it but you can knit with any type of thread you want to use. There is an issue with using embroidery floss though. Its thread length may be too short to get the task done quickly and without a lot of knots to hold the design together.
To learn more about knitting with embroidery floss just continue to read our article. It delves into this topic so you know the right way to replace yarn with embroidery floss. It may even save you a few dollars when you make the exchange.
Tip 1: It is not that hard to replace knitting yarn with embroidery floss. You just can’t use the number 4 needles. Find a pair of needles that match the size and weight of the floss.
Tip 2: Embroidery skeins may cost a lot less than certain types of knitting yarn. Up to half price so it may be worth investigating.
Can You Knit With Embroidery Floss?
Yes, you can. One of the things about embroidery floss is its flexibility and versatility. Stranded embroidery floss can be used with all 6 of its strands twisted together or you can separate the strands into individual ones and use those for whatever sewing project you are working on.
Since you can use just about any thread when you knit, you have a lot of embroidery floss variations to choose from. There is the metallic hand embroidery thread, then there is the pearl cotton, rayon floss, tapestry yarn, crewel yarn, variegated thread, and many other varieties.
The sky is the limit when it comes to using embroidery thread or floss. You have a large selection of colors to use as well as a large number of designs to work on. Just be careful when you select your needle size. #4s may be too large for some varieties of embroidery floss. You may be better off with #2s.
But you need to make that decision for yourself and your project. Try different needles to see which ones work for you.
Tip 3: Plan your project with the colors you want to use. Make sure you have enough of each color to complete the project.
How to knit With Embroidery Floss
One way to knit with embroidery floss is to use a loom. To start all you need is your loom and the colors of embroidery floss that you want to work with. It isn’t a difficult procedure to follow.
The first step after deciding on the colors you will use is to pick how many strands you want to work with at one time. The number of strands is immaterial as you can use as few or as many as you want.
Just keep in mind that the more strands you use the thicker and tighter the stitch will be when you are done. The next decision will be which loom you will use. This will depend on the knitting project you have in mind to complete.
Shoelaces, for instance, can be done on a spool loom or any loom that comes with 3 pegs attached to it. A bracelet will also need a spool loom but to make it work properly you need to use 4 strands.
After you get all those decisions made, you can start by using a square knot to secure the floss to your loom. When you need to add yarn, just keep on using the square knot to tie each strand in place.
That technique allows you the freedom to change colors whenever you want. After you master the square knot just keep moving your floss on the loom until your project is complete.
The loom knitting style is not that difficult and you get better quicker if you stick to beginner levels of knitting projects. Work your way up to more difficult projects by building your confidence with the easier ones.
Tip 4: Do not go past your knitting ability until you are ready. Even though embroidery floss is cheaper than some yarns, they still can be expensive when you buy a lot of skeins.
Knitting With Embroidery Floss Tips
When you are attempting something new, it pays to get some tips from more experienced knitters. That is especially true when you are exchangi9ng yarn for embroidery floss when you are doing your knitting.
Here are some tips to help you on your way in your new knitting adventure:
- 1. If you can’t afford the floss price, use as many coupons as you can. Hobby Lobby, Joann’s, and Michaels have 40% off or other coupons you can use to build up your stock. It may be slow but it is effective.
- 2. You do not have to use all 6 strands when knitting with embroidery floss. The project you are doing will dictate the number of strands you work with at one time.
- 3. Go to your library and get some beginning knitting books that talk about use embroidery floss instead of yarn. This will save you a little money and provide you with some good instruction as you knit.
- 4. look to the internet to help you get patterns and videos that help you make the change from yarn to floss. One such place has these for free. Just click here to view their website.
- 5. Pick the floss style that will fit your pattern and make it look good. There are over a dozen different embroidery floss varieties you can choose from.
- 6. when coming to the end of one skein, lay pout the new skein in the opposite direction. Once that is done, knit the two ends together. This should only take a couple or three stitches to do.
How to Separate Embroidery Floss
It is always possible that you may be all thumbs when it comes to doing delicate work like separating embroidery floss strands. Here is one way to get those strands separated without causing you any trouble.
Step one: cut the floss to the length you want it to be. Sometimes in knitting with floss, the original length may be the length you need and no cutting is necessary.
Step two: using your thumb and forefinger grip the cut thread about an inch from the top.
Step three: using your other forefinger, tap the cut edge of the thread, on the end, and the strands should separate naturally.
Step four: Grab one strand while not letting go of the other 5 and pull gently. Even if you are using more than one strand you need to separate the strands one at a time. Keep steady pressure on the strand as you pull. It s a not too soft not too hard type of pull
Step five: repeat until all strands are separated. Now you will see the floss bunch up and look like it will knot. Don’t worry, once the strand is free the bunching up will go away till you pull on the next strand.
Step six: once the strand is separated, lay it out flat and straight. Lay all six side by side saving you space and making it convenient for you to pick up the number of strands you are going to use.
Step seven: thread your needle, loom, etc., with as many strands as you are using for this project.
Organizing Your Embroidery Floss
Organizing your floss will depend on several factors. One, how many skeins you have; two, how much you want to spend; three, how many projects you are working on; and four, how many different types of thread you have.
Here are some organizing techniques you can use once you have answered those few questions:
- Organize by number or color - this is up to your personal preference and which way will help you find the floss you want the fastest
- Separate drawers - these do not have to be large but you should have one drawer per floss variety and color
- Use bobbin boxes - wrap your floss safely and put them away in secure locations
- Project cards - cut the skein to length and then attach to the cards
- Ziplock bags - they are clear making it easy to see which color or style is inside
Some Final Words
It may not be a new idea to use embroidery floss for knitting but you may be surprised at how few people have heard about that option. Knitting is very flexible so you can use any thread you want when you want a change of pace from yarn.
The different types of embroidery floss make it an excellent choice when you want something new that remains nice and colorful.
