As you peruse for thread to add to your punch needle stash, you
might come across thread weight numbers in descriptions from online
sellers. What do those numbers mean? Do you really need to know?
Well, maybe. Here is a nutshell explanation of thread weight -- just
enough to help you from making a mistake when buying thread.
Denier was the first methodology for measuring threads, then
came the decitex system. Now, the current metric system is used. You
might encounter any, or all, of these systems in the trade and in
descriptions of threads.
Confusion arises because the opposite formula applies to the
denier/decitex versus the metric system. For example - a pair of
pantyhose is measured in Denier and the higher the
number, the thicker the material. So a pair of 10 denier
pantyhose are what we usually wear, and a 40 denier is much heavier
than normal.
With metric numbering systems, the opposite applies; the
thicker the thread, the lower the metric number. So a
number 12 thread, like the Burmilana, is thicker than a
number 40 weight.
I offer this information as just that -- you don't need to know
this when buying thread for punch needle embroidery. All you really
need to remember is: 'the higher the number the finer the
thread, the lower the number the thicker the thread'
It's handy to know that so when ordering online where you can't
see and feel the actual thread, you have a rule to go by if the
seller provides the thread weight in the description.
So now you know! Go build your thread stash with confidence.
