crewel
Definition
- 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.