I have already completed two Needlework Nibbles and have another in my stash that waiting to be done. The latest addition to the Needlework Nibble family is the extremely cute Glittering Snail. For me, the big attraction of these kits is an introduction to different materials and techniques. A BIG added bonus with this kit is that Thistle Threads donate $7.50 to Bath Fashion Museum for every kit purchased. The money will be used to the rehouse the owned by the Gloves Collection Trust. The collection was set up by the Worshipful Company of Glovers and is housed by the Museum. Every two kits sold will pay to rehouse a set of gloves in one of the new storage boxes that will better conserve the collection and allow for easier viewing by visitors to the appointments room.
The kit is based upon a detail of one of the gloves (BATMC-GLO-23342A) which was set up. The design is faithful to the original down to the majority of the threads used. This has been made possible by the reintroduction of speciality threads that had fallen out of product and use. This kit introduces the latest of these wonderful threads, silk gimp – silk wrapped around a silk core.
The picture below shows, from top to bottom, a strand of Soie Ovale (used to couch the silk gimp and silk purl), one ply of Anchor cotton, silk gimp and a strand (6 ply) of Anchor cotton.
This picture shows a piece of silk gimp that is beginning to unravel and show the silk core. Below it is a short length of the silk wrapping separated from its silk core (bottom).
The silk gimp is couched to and fro to form the snail’s body. A piece of silk purl is couched along the underside of the body. Silk wrapped purl was introduced in two earlier kits – I did the Pink Silk Purl Bug. In both kits the silk purl is couched in place but on this design the purl is first stretched to twice its original length.
© Thistle Threads/Carol-Anne Conway
© Thistle Threads/Carol-Anne Conway
Both the silk gimp and the silk purl are produced by Golden Threads for Thistle Threads.
© Thistle Threads/Carol-Anne Conway
Happy Stitching
5 comments:
I'm glad to see someone has started the snail. I still have mine to work, don't know when I'll get it. It looks lovely so far.
The snail is a lot of fun, isn't he - and the new silk purl and silk gimp are lovely!
I second Cynthia's comment! This looks like fun. I'll have to dig mine out. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy your lovely work!
Thankyou for the posts on the snail.
I was very tempted to buy him, both for the 'new' threads, and the donation to the Bath museum, but I'm *really* not a light blue and pink person.
I hope all the threads are available one day from TT so I can make one maybe in rust and dark blue or something?
What a really cute project. No matter how busy I am I alwys try and make time for a few stitches every day just to keep me sane so I know exactly waht you mean.
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