Straw Silk is a beautiful 100% silk ribbon-type thread from Silk Road Fibers. There are currently 102 scrumptious colors, with new colors being added every few months. Some of the colors are solid and others are hand over-dyed.
Here’s a picture of Straw Silk for you….
Straw Silk stitches up beautifully on 13 or 18 mesh needlepoint canvas. You may use it “as is” or you may divide it into individual strands. In fact, when working with it, I found that this thread actually consists of 10 individual strands of silk thread that have been laid side by side, then “set” with some sort of sizing to hold them in place to form a ribbon-type thread. As you stitch with the thread, the sizing softens and the strands separate.
Working with Straw Silk…
You definitely need to use a laying tool when stitching with this thread so that your stitches (and the ribbon) don’t become twisted.
Since some colors of Straw Silk are hand over-dyed, you’ll want to employ the continental variation of the tent stitch when working with those hues to maintain a pleasing flow of color. (Using the diagonal variation of tent stitch – aka basketweave – when working with over-dyed threads can sometimes result in “striping”.)
And speaking of color, I wouldn’t count on this thread being color fast. That means you’ll need to use a dry blocking method after you finish stitching your project.
Each card of Straw Silk has 11.1 yards/10.1 meters. The thread is pre-cut into lengths of approximately 1.5 yards.
An easy way to manage those super-long pieces is fold one length of thread into thirds, then cut at the folds. Your pieces will be approximately 18 inches long. Remember to keep a short tail (approximately 2″) in the eye of the needle so that you don’t damage multiple places along the length of the thread as you stitch, too.
Here are some pictures of what Straw Silk looks like on different sizes of needlepoint canvas…
Tent Stitch on 13 Mesh Canvas
Tent Stitch on 18 Mesh Canvas
Straw Silk and Decorative Stitches
Straw Silk is a terrific option for stitching all kinds of canvases, from stockings and stand-ups to ornaments and framed designs.
It’s especially lovely for these design components:
- baskets
- bird nests
- clothing
- clouds
- fields
- fish scales
- grass
- hair
- hay
- insects
- mermaid tails
- rooftops
- seaweed
- shrubs
- trees – both treetops and tree trunks
Have you used Straw Silk on a project? If you have, I’d love to hear what you think about it. Tell me in the comments below – and be sure to let me know how you used it.
Alrighty my friend, that’s all for now.
Have a terrific rest of your day and, until next time…
Happy Stitching!!
XOXO!!
I just started a straw hat and using 3 different colors of the straw silk. As a newbie, I am finding it difficult to use, even with my laying tool. Im also trying it with tramme stitch and it isn’t looking particularly good. Love the thread, so it must be the stitch I’m not loving. Will try the continental and see if that changes my mind with this piece. Thank you!
Hi Jean
Thank you for sharing your experience with Straw Silk. It can be a little tricky to get the hang of using in the beginning. You might try ironing it with a flat iron. (Be sure to use a low heat setting, though. 😉 )
Let me know if that helps…
XOXO!
Ellen
Yes, I’ve used straw silk for grass and for flower pedals.
Thank you for the info on this product! I just joined the Stitchers Club. Am very excited to be a member.
Hi Connie!
I’m delighted to have you as a new member of The Stitcher’s Club! And thank you for taking the time to share the different ways you’ve used Straw Silk. It’s a wonderful thread! Be sure and check out the other threads inside the Thread Talk area of your Stitcher’s Club Member Portal… there are lots of them in there. 😉
And please let me know if you have any questions about anything. I’m here for you and always happy to help!
XOXO!
Ellen
Love this thread ! Used it a palm tree leaves , a straw hat and a Kate Dickerson shoe that was “canvasy” looking
How fun! I love all the different ways you’ve used Straw Silk. I’m a huge fan of it, too. It’s such a versatile thread. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to share with us here and happy stitching!
XOXO!
Ellen
I love using straw silk thread. I’m working on a stocking for my grandson and the first time to use this wonderful thread was on my Santa’s hat. It worked up like a dream. Very easy to handle and your stitches look fabulous when you get done.
I’m totally in love with this straw silk thread.
Hi Linda
Thank you for sharing your experience with Straw Silk. It’s one of my new faves, too! I’m picturing that Santa hat on your grandson’s stocking right now… 😉
Have a lovely rest of your day and thank you for stopping by for a visit.
Happy stitching!
XOXO!
Ellen
I’m so happy that I found you and Straw Silk at the same time. Your hints for using it worked out so well; splitting it in half and letting it hang loose made the perfect hula skirt and the whole thread is making perfect leaves on the palm trees. The colors are so beautiful to work with – I find I’m looking for projects where I can use it. Next up, a rich brown for the palm tree trunk – off to Aresteia to check it out. Mahalo, Ellen. (I’m not in Hawaii, but close enough on the Pacific coast side of Los Angeles for many trips there, starting with our honeymoon almost 68 years ago!)
Hi Judy!
I’m so glad you found me, too! I’m tickled to know that you found my blog post about Straw Silk helpful. I hope you’ll send me a picture of your finished project. I’d love to see it.
And what a joy to be able to visit Hawaii so often. I’ve been there a couple of times and would love to visit again. It’s a beautiful place.
Happy stitching…
XOXO!
Ellen
Great article. Wish I’d had it before I used it. Wasn’t happy with it. I think had I used half it would have appeared better and I would have been happier. Thanks for this info.
Polly O’Connor
I’m so glad you found the article helpful, Polly – and I’m sorry you had a bad experience with Straw Silk. It’s really a nice thread, so I hope you’ll give it another try in the future.
Happy Stitching!
XOXO…
Ellen
I hate this stuff – even using a laying tool and with ironing it with a flat iron, it twists on itself and doesn’t look uniform or glossy. I suppose that is a function of ME, not IT and I should practice more with it —
Oh dear… I’m so sorry you’ve found Straw Silk hard to work with, Georgia! If it’s any consolation, it’s not going to look glossy like other silk threads. 😉