Our Bristol shop is open Saturdays and by appointment through April: send an email to studioflax.info@gmail.com if you'd like to visit. Please allow one week for despatch this season, and see our stockroom sale in the April menu!

Collection: Single skeins

We currently stock four weights of vintage linen threads: 

16/2 
The most common thread used in mid century linen embroidery. We stock five brands of 1940's to 1990's threads, around 300 colours. 
 Each skein of the vintage 16/2 thread is 14m long, apart from Knox's which is 18-20 meter long. All threads have been neatly stored in boxes in dry environments since they were produced, still strong and as new. This thread is spun quite firmly and should be used as it is, not split.
A little bit of beeswax will help protect the thread.
40 to 50 cm is good length to work with, and the needles to use for all weights are chenille's: 20, 22 or 24. We buy ours from John James: 
https://www.jjneedles.com/


25/4 Hemstitch yarn: this thread is 4-stranded. Use singly (10m) or separate into 1-4 strands. In the 60's it was common to mix one or three strands of this thread together with 16/2 in embroidery kits, it helped create interesting textures.  This versatile thread (which is also great for bookbinding) has not been produced since the 1960's and cannot be found easily anymore. 
We still have around 40 colours in stock. 

40/2 HV thread: a very fine linen thread that has been made and used since the 1950's. The colour range is very limited and we buy all vintage stock we can find. The age of the thread ranges from 1960's to contemporary, please check each listing for more details. Each skein is 30 to 35+ m. 

35/3 Lace thread
Eva by Marks and Knyppelgarn by Nordiska were made for lace making and embroidery, they are both very rare today. 
219 products
  • The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Nordiska 1960's Linen 25/4
    Nordiska 1960's Linen 25/4
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    £3.80
  • Nordiska 1960's linen 25/4 #529
    Nordiska 1960's linen 25/4 #529
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • The Flax Flower 1960's linen - Linblomman 16/2
    The Flax Flower 1960's linen - Linblomman 16/2
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    £3.80
  • Nordiska 1960's Linen 25/4
    Nordiska 1960's Linen 25/4
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    £3.80
  • Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Regular price
    £3.80
    Sale price
    £3.80
  • Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Regular price
    Sold out
    Sale price
    £3.80
  • The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    The Flax Flower - 1960's Linen Hemstitch Yarn
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Nordiska 1960's Linen 25/4
    Nordiska 1960's Linen 25/4
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Nordiska 1960's linen 25/4 #535
    Nordiska 1960's linen 25/4 #535
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Knox's of Kilbirnie - Blue Grey
    Knox's of Kilbirnie - Blue Grey
    Regular price
    £5.00
    Sale price
    £5.00
  • Knox's of Kilbirnie - Gold
    Knox's of Kilbirnie - Gold
    Regular price
    £5.00
    Sale price
    £5.00
  • Knox's of Kilbirnie - Slate Indigo Blues
    Knox's of Kilbirnie - Slate Indigo Blues
    Regular price
    £5.00
    Sale price
    £5.00
  • Knox's of Kilbirnie - Rose Pink
    Knox's of Kilbirnie - Rose Pink
    Regular price
    £5.00
    Sale price
    £5.00
  • Nordiska 1960's linen 25/4
    Nordiska 1960's linen 25/4
    Regular price
    £3.50
    Sale price
    £3.50
  • Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Linda 1960's embroidery linen
    Regular price
    £3.80
    Sale price
    £3.80
  • Knox's of Kilbirnie - Peony
    Knox's of Kilbirnie - Peony
    Regular price
    £5.00
    Sale price
    £5.00
  • Knox's of Kilbirnie - Grey Brown Black
    Knox's of Kilbirnie - Grey Brown Black
    Regular price
    £5.00
    Sale price
    £5.00