If you've been needlepointing for any amount of time, you have likely heard of (and probably tried) Silk and Ivory thread.
Silk and Ivory, distributed by Brown Paper Packages, is a 50/50 blend of 50% silk and 50% Merino wool. {1} Currently, there are 250 different colors and, according to their site, Silk and Ivory may be used on 13, 14, 16 and 18 mesh canvas. {1}
Silk and Ivory is sold in skeins (28.8 yards) and will cover approximately 19 square inches of 13 mesh canvas. {2} You can also find this thread sold in hanks (equivalent to 21 skeins) and half-hanks (equivalent to 10 skeins). {3}
Many stitchers will tell you not to use Silk and Ivory on 18 mesh because the canvas holes are too small for the thread. I have personally used Silk and Ivory on 18 mesh and it was fine (example below). However, I will say it is a much more pleasant stitching experience to stitch with Silk and Ivory on 13 mesh.
Silk and Ivory is subject to dye lots, meaning it is important to take note of the dye lot when purchasing the thread (especially if you are purchasing multiple skeins) and it is important to keep the tag with the thread, in case you need to reference it later. Different dye lots can look quite different from each other so it is important to take note of these, especially for large projects.
This thread is only available to purchase through a vendor (you cannot directly purchase from Brown Paper Packages). As noted on 04/07/24, we found Silk and Ivory priced between $6.25 and $7.50 per skein via various online needlepoint stores.{3-9} (Please note, this was a non-exhaustive search. This is only to provide a few of the vendors who sell Silk and Ivory online and to provide a general idea of the cost of a skein. We recommend searching on your own/visiting your local needlepoint store.) So far, we were only able to find hanks and half-hanks available at Rittenhouse Needlepoint. {3}
Below are some examples of pieces stitched with Silk and Ivory. While I personally prefer to stitch with Silk and Ivory in basketweave on 13 mesh, do not let this deter you from using decorative stitches! You can (and I have) done decorative stitches as well and the pieces still turn out beautiful (some examples are below).
Canvas: Here Comes the Sun by Fire and Iris
Stitching: The background is Medallion Stitch, stitched in White Silk and Ivory thread, and the suns are all tent stitches, stitched in Silk and Ivory thread
(Canvas is 13 mesh)
Canvas: Poinsettia Clutch by Stitch Rock Designs and Fire and Iris
Stitching: The background and poinsettia flowers are basketweave stitched in Silk and Ivory thread
(Canvas is 13 mesh)
Canvas: National Forest Sign by Fire and Iris
Stitching: Canvas is stitched in basketweave using Silk and Ivory thread
(Canvas is 18 mesh)
Canvas: Home for the Holidays by Fire and Iris
Stitching: The background is a snow stitch from the Stitches for Landscape book, stitched in White Silk and Ivory thread, and rest of the piece is tent stitches, stitched in Silk and Ivory thread.
(Canvas is 13 mesh)
References:
1. Silk and Ivory. Brown Paper Packages. https://www.brownpaperpackages.com/Silk-and-Ivory/ . Accessed April 7, 2024
2. Needlework Thread Information. Needlepoint Joint. https://needlepointjoint.com/pages/needlework-thread-information. Accessed April 7, 2024
3. https://rittenhouseneedlepoint.com/collections/silk-ivory. Accessed April 7, 2024
4. https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/silk-ivory. Accessed April 7, 2024
5. https://www.lycettedesigns.com/collections/silk-ivory-fiber. Accessed April 7, 2024
6. https://www.stitchingfox.com/collections/silk-ivory. Accessed April 7, 2024
7. https://www.annieandco.com/collections/silk-ivory. Accessed April 7, 2024
8. https://shopneedlepointjunction.com/collections/silk-ivory. Accessed April 7, 2024
9. https://pennylinndesigns.com/collections/silk-and-ivory. Accessed April 7, 2024