This type of embroidery is age old Back to the 13th century the word crewel can be found in the English records. It is thought to have come from the east of Egypt, than to France and Rome, where it traveled with the Roman conquests. Crewel by definition, is the application of a variety of stitches to the surface of fabric, following a design applied to the fabric.

Crewel embroidery in India

In India, crewel embroidery has been a timeless art, mostly done by skilled craftsmen in the valley of Kashmir. The elegant art form specializes in uniform and consistent stitches done patiently with fine thread knots.

CREWEL EMBROIDERY

Kashmir has age old tradition of skilled crafts mostly done by hand. It has a unique grace and elegance especially crewel embroidery.

It carefully highlights uniformity and consistency in stitches with fine thread knots. It is mostly done with chain stitches with delicacy of details, the motifs are generally floral, tree of life, birds, geometrical and animal motifs etc.

TOOLS AND MACHINERY

For its embroidery a small hand aari is used which picks up the yarn to from the des symmetrical form. It is done with great concentration and a craftsman has to be sure that the stitches are of expected perfection.

ART OF CREWEL EMBROIDERY

Crewel, technically referring to a type of wool, is a variety of surface embroidery usually done using wool on linen or cotton fabric. A broad array of stitches are used to create a texture and colorful effect. It produces texture that is distinct from silk or cotton embroidery. Fine wool yarn and soft colors distinguish crewel from other types of embroidery. As the yarns used are thicker pieces done in crewel almost have a raised dimensional feel.

Designs :

Designs range from the traditional to the more contemporary patterns. The most traditional design features a style known as the Jacobean style. It features floral and animal motifs, with vines and leaves twining about. Crewel embroidery uses a variety of stitches, including satin, long and short, chain, french knot and vine stitch.