About the CARON Collection Threads

The CARON Collection's threads range from exquisite hand-dyed variegated threads in cotton, silk and wool-silk to exotic metallics and shimmering nylon. With a palette of colors that rival nature in depth and subtlety and a dazzling range of texture, the CARON Collection's threads have become a favorite of designers everywhere. Read about the threads below or click on COLOR CHARTS to view the colors in the collection. See USAGE CHARTS and THREAD EQUIVALENTS for guides on using the threads. Discover imaginative uses of our threads in GALLERY (use the navigation on the left) where we profile monthly the artistry of those using our threads. The CARON Collection threads are widely available through shops and mail order sources.

See Ordering(at the bottom of the frame on the left) for how to order the threads.

NEW! PRINTABLE THREAD LISTS NUMERICAL AND ALPHABETICAL

About the CARON Collection Threads

Watercolours®

A three-ply hand-dyed pima cotton in variegated colors. It has a silky sheen, especially when used with long, flat stitches. Separate the plies and use one or more in the needle according to the pattern directions. One ply is about the same weight as a #5 pearl cotton or six plies of cotton floss or one ply of persian wool.

Wildflowers®

A single strand hand-dyed cotton in variegated colors. It has more of a matte finish when stitched. Use one or more strands as required by the ground fabric. One strand is approximately the same weight as flower thread or Medicis wool. It is between a #8 and #12 pearl cotton in weight. It is available in all the same colors as Watercolours and the two threads can be used very successfully together for hardanger embroidery.

Waterlilies®

A twelve-ply hand-dyed variegated silk. It gives a subtle sheen when stitched and has particularly good light reflection qualities. Use a single ply for very fine work or as many plies as necessary to suit stitch and ground fabric. Many of the colors match Watercolours and Wildflowers, but because the silk fibers take the dye differently, they may be more subdued.

Snow®

An opalescent synthetic thread. It is very easy to work with and in weight is similar to #5 pearl cotton, six strands of floss or one ply of persian wool. It tends to pick up the colors used around it. Although it has lots of sparkle, decorative stitches look well worked with Snow.

Rachel(TM)

A tubular nylon thread. It compresses or expands to accommodate a large variety of canvas or fabric sizes. It has a shimmery, wet look and when stitched flat, it has a transparent appearance; compressed, it is more opaque. In addition to using it for traditional stitching, other fibers can be threaded through it or it can be stitched on top of other needlework.

Rachelette(TM)

Rachel with a fine metallic threaded through it. The sparkle of the metallic combined with the shimmer of the Rachel can give your work a truly dazzling effect. It is usually best for counts of fourteen or coarser but long stitches will work on eighteen or on twenty four-count.

Double-Dipped Rachel(TM)

One color of Rachel threaded through another. It is very thick and works best on counts of fourteen or coarser, although it can be couched down on finer fabrics. The colors of Double-Dipped Rachel are opaque and even pastels tend to be complex and rich.

Antica(TM)

A heavier metallic in antique shades. The effect is more of a soft glow than a shiny sparkle. It ravels easily, but can be controlled by a dab of Fraycheck or clear nail polish at one end. Before threading the needle, snap the length of yarn gently to tighten the chainette and make the stitching easier. It is a little bit thicker than #5 pearl cotton, but not as thick as #3 pearl. Use on eighteen or fourteen count. Fine for bargello stitches on twenty four count Congress cloth.

Impressions®

A 50% wool, 50% silk blend. It comes in solid colors which coordinate with Soie Cristale silk, and hand-dyed colors which coordinate with Watercolours and Waterlilies. It is about the same weight as Wildflowers, but has more loft. It is very versatile and can be used on fine linens as well as larger counts of needlepoint canvas. You can often control the look of your stitches to create either a sculptured or a satiny look simply by adding or subtracting one strand. The blend of wool and silk gives a unique appearance as the two fibers reflect light differently, giving your stitching great depth.

Soie Cristale(TM)

A twelve-ply solid color spun silk. Use the solid colors the same as you would use Waterlilies, which is dyed on natural or white Soie Cristale.

Candlelight(TM)

A soft, fine metallic. It is very flexible and although it frays, it does not break down during stitching, making it easy to handle. In weight it is very similar to Wildflowers. Use one or more strands as required by the ground fabric. Candlelight has excellent light reflective qualities, but for this reason, the structure of more complex stitches is often obscured.

Kit Kin(TM)

An angora-like blend. Use it to simulate fur or hair. Its fine texture is best used in combination with another thread in the needle, such as floss, to give it bulk. Interesting shading effects can be achieved by combining it with one of the hand-dyed threads above. It is best stitched after other stitching has been completed. It can be gently brushed to give a furry appearance.

**About the CARON Collection Threads**
Watercolours® A three-ply hand-dyed pima cotton in variegated colors. It has a silky sheen, especially when used with long, flat stitches. Separate the plies and use one or more in the needle according to the pattern directions. One ply is about the same weight as a #5 pearl cotton or six plies of cotton floss or one ply of persian wool. Wildflowers® A single strand hand-dyed cotton in variegated colors. It has more of a matte finish when stitched. Use one or more strands as required by the ground fabric. One strand is approximately the same weight as flower thread or Medicis wool. It is between a #8 and #12 pearl cotton in weight. It is available in all the same colors as Watercolours and the two threads can be used very successfully together for hardanger embroidery. Waterlilies® A twelve-ply hand-dyed variegated silk. It gives a subtle sheen when stitched and has particularly good light reflection qualities. Use a single ply for very fine work or as many plies as necessary to suit stitch and ground fabric. Many of the colors match Watercolours and Wildflowers, but because the silk fibers take the dye differently, they may be more subdued. Snow® An opalescent synthetic thread. It is very easy to work with and in weight is similar to #5 pearl cotton, six strands of floss or one ply of persian wool. It tends to pick up the colors used around it. Although it has lots of sparkle, decorative stitches look well worked with Snow.	Rachel(TM) A tubular nylon thread. It compresses or expands to accommodate a large variety of canvas or fabric sizes. It has a shimmery, wet look and when stitched flat, it has a transparent appearance; compressed, it is more opaque. In addition to using it for traditional stitching, other fibers can be threaded through it or it can be stitched on top of other needlework. Rachelette(TM) Rachel with a fine metallic threaded through it. The sparkle of the metallic combined with the shimmer of the Rachel can give your work a truly dazzling effect. It is usually best for counts of fourteen or coarser but long stitches will work on eighteen or on twenty four-count. Double-Dipped Rachel(TM) One color of Rachel threaded through another. It is very thick and works best on counts of fourteen or coarser, although it can be couched down on finer fabrics. The colors of Double-Dipped Rachel are opaque and even pastels tend to be complex and rich. Antica(TM) A heavier metallic in antique shades. The effect is more of a soft glow than a shiny sparkle. It ravels easily, but can be controlled by a dab of Fraycheck or clear nail polish at one end. Before threading the needle, snap the length of yarn gently to tighten the chainette and make the stitching easier. It is a little bit thicker than #5 pearl cotton, but not as thick as #3 pearl. Use on eighteen or fourteen count. Fine for bargello stitches on twenty four count Congress cloth.	Impressions® A 50% wool, 50% silk blend. It comes in solid colors which coordinate with Soie Cristale silk, and hand-dyed colors which coordinate with Watercolours and Waterlilies. It is about the same weight as Wildflowers, but has more loft. It is very versatile and can be used on fine linens as well as larger counts of needlepoint canvas. You can often control the look of your stitches to create either a sculptured or a satiny look simply by adding or subtracting one strand. The blend of wool and silk gives a unique appearance as the two fibers reflect light differently, giving your stitching great depth. Soie Cristale(TM) A twelve-ply solid color spun silk. Use the solid colors the same as you would use Waterlilies, which is dyed on natural or white Soie Cristale. Candlelight(TM) A soft, fine metallic. It is very flexible and although it frays, it does not break down during stitching, making it easy to handle. In weight it is very similar to Wildflowers. Use one or more strands as required by the ground fabric. Candlelight has excellent light reflective qualities, but for this reason, the structure of more complex stitches is often obscured. Kit Kin(TM) An angora-like blend. Use it to simulate fur or hair. Its fine texture is best used in combination with another thread in the needle, such as floss, to give it bulk. Interesting shading effects can be achieved by combining it with one of the hand-dyed threads above. It is best stitched after other stitching has been completed. It can be gently brushed to give a furry appearance.

CARON email: mail@caron-net.com / Webmaster nika@connix.com