Forum - Newbies - Can I use different sized yarn for the base?

Griffin675

Beginner

6 hours ago by Griffin675

I'm very new to this and I'm trying to make a tapestry on a dowel. It's a large pattern, 160 pixels wide and 200 pixels long. I was wondering if I could use embroidery floss or a smaller weight yarn for the base yarn, since I have to make so many of them, and then use a larger yarn for the knots. The yarn I'm looking at for the main knots is Lion Brand Re-spun, which I've used a lot. It CLAIMS to be worsted weight 4, but it really is more like a 3.5, so it's not very thick yarn. Could I use a worsted weight 3 or 2 yarn as the base (or even an embroidery floss) for that, or will that make the tapestry bulgy/uneven/weak/any other horrible thing? I'm hoping the knots would regulate the size between the strings so long as I keep consistent tension, but I am obviously not an expert.

I know this is a crazy first project. That's kind of how I like doing things. I'm really pulling on YouTube tutorials and my memories from making friendship bracelets when I was eight for this...

Thank you for any advice!

SophMarie4

Professional

4 hours ago by SophMarie4

i've seen a lot of people use smaller thread for the base strings

halokiwi

Moderator

58 minutes ago by halokiwi

@SophMarie4 I think it's the other way around.

For alphas, it is a common issue that knots are taller than wide which elongates the design. One way to fix this issue is to use thicker, not thinner base strings. Thinner base strings would intensify the issue further.

My recommendation for op: use thicker strings for the base strings or double your base strings (knot around two base strings at once each time).

I would recommend tying a little test swatch before starting the project, so you know you are happy with the materials picked 😄

Griffin675 Beginner	6 hours ago by Griffin675 I'm very new to this and I'm trying to make a tapestry on a dowel. It's a large pattern, 160 pixels wide and 200 pixels long. I was wondering if I could use embroidery floss or a smaller weight yarn for the base yarn, since I have to make so many of them, and then use a larger yarn for the knots. The yarn I'm looking at for the main knots is Lion Brand Re-spun, which I've used a lot. It CLAIMS to be worsted weight 4, but it really is more like a 3.5, so it's not very thick yarn. Could I use a worsted weight 3 or 2 yarn as the base (or even an embroidery floss) for that, or will that make the tapestry bulgy/uneven/weak/any other horrible thing? I'm hoping the knots would regulate the size between the strings so long as I keep consistent tension, but I am obviously not an expert. I know this is a crazy first project. That's kind of how I like doing things. I'm really pulling on YouTube tutorials and my memories from making friendship bracelets when I was eight for this... Thank you for any advice!
SophMarie4 Professional	4 hours ago by SophMarie4 i've seen a lot of people use smaller thread for the base strings
halokiwi Moderator	58 minutes ago by halokiwi @SophMarie4 I think it's the other way around. For alphas, it is a common issue that knots are taller than wide which elongates the design. One way to fix this issue is to use thicker, not thinner base strings. Thinner base strings would intensify the issue further. My recommendation for op: use thicker strings for the base strings or double your base strings (knot around two base strings at once each time). I would recommend tying a little test swatch before starting the project, so you know you are happy with the materials picked 😄

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Can I use different sized yarn for the base?