This yarn is a cotton floss with each of its four strands is equivalent to pearl cotton size 12. (Each ply is slightly larger than a strand of DMC floss.) It should be stripped and put back together when stitching so that it will lie smoothly. As with space dyed or overdyed yarns, you need to match up the ends in the same order that you stripped the yarn. Also, when you stitch with the second length you remove from the card, thread the needle on the end opposite the cut (or the end left on the card, not the end that you cut). Always thread the end that is opposite the cut as you continue with additional lengths of yarn. This will ensure that the run of colors remains the same. It is also a good idea to stitch having as much thread as possible on the back of the canvas as this will help you go through the color runs much more quickly. Do not leave long ends when beginning or ending off the thread as this will interrupt the color run.
Bravo!, Encore! and Overture are dyed to match. However, not all colors are made in all lines. Make sure that you buy enough at one time to complete your project as the dye lots do vary somewhat. The dye lots change because these yarns are hand dyed and variations do occur. They are three different weights that give options when stitching. Hardanger lovers will especially love the versatility of having the different weights from which to choose. Another advantage of these yarns is that they are four plies. This is especially helpful when doing geometric designs where you need to do the same color runs in four different directions.
(2 strands on congress cloth, 3 strands on 18 count, 4 strands on 16 count, 5 strands on 14 count)
