Definition

1. Noun:
   • A thin, loosely twisted, two-ply yarn of worsted wool: "crewel" refers to a type of fine, soft wool yarn used primarily in embroidery and tapestry work. It is characterized by its slight twist and ability to create delicate, detailed stitches.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She bought several skeins of crewel for her embroidery project. (She purchased a specific type of wool yarn for needlework.)
  • The antique tapestry was stitched with crewel in vibrant colors. (The old wall hanging was embroidered using fine wool yarn.)

Advanced Usage

• "crewel embroidery": a specific style of embroidery using crewel yarn, often featuring floral or nature motifs on linen or cotton fabric.

  • She specializes in crewel embroidery, creating intricate designs with wool thread. (She is skilled in a traditional needlework technique using this yarn.)

• "crewel work": another term for the craft or finished piece of embroidery made with crewel yarn.

  • The museum displayed a collection of 17th-century crewel work. (The museum showed historical examples of this embroidery style.)

Variants and Related Words

• Crewelist (n): a person who practices or is skilled in crewel embroidery.

  • The crewelist demonstrated her technique at the craft fair. (The embroiderer showed her skill with wool yarn.)

• Crewel needle (n): a type of needle with a long, sharp point and a large eye, designed for use with crewel yarn.

  • Use a crewel needle to avoid splitting the yarn. (Use a specific needle suited for this wool thread.)

Synonyms

• Embroidery yarn: a general term for yarn used in needlework.
• Worsted wool: a type of wool yarn that is tightly spun and smooth, though crewel is a specific subtype.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using "crewel" as it is a specialized term for a material.

Notes on Usage

• "Crewel" is almost exclusively used in the context of textile arts, especially embroidery and tapestry. It is not used figuratively or in everyday conversation outside of crafting.