About Ehrman Tapestry

Today the name Ehrman is famous for superior-quality needlepoint kits, which are in demand all over the world. Recognized as the most imaginative and stylish around, Ehrman needlepoint is commissioned from leading textile designers, the most famous of whom is probably Kaffe Fassett. For over 25 years Ehrman have pioneered this field of design and have gathered together a group of stitchers who between them have revolutionized the craft. Our designers continue to set the pace.

The needlepoint kits come complete with a printed color canvas, needle, instruction booklet and all the 100% pure new wool clearly identified by color. The number of holes to the inch on the printed canvas are listed by each design along with measurements of the image size. Some of the kits are printed on 7 or 8 holes to the inch canvas with the yarn used double. To cover this wider gauge canvas properly you will need to thread your needle with 2 strands of wool instead of 1 and work in exactly the same way. This is a favorite technique of Kaffe Fassett's and it has the advantage of speed. With fewer holes to the inch, the design grows quickly.

Over the past two or three years, we have changed the look of our kits. Now that we produce our own wool we are able to pack it in "bundles" which makes it easier to identify the different shades. This is particularly important when colors are close. The recipes for the wool quanitites are calculated by computer and, as a result, requests for extra wool have dropped off dramatically. This is the best news of all as there is nothing more frustrating than running out of a particular shade right at the end.

Although an Ehrman Kit is synonymous with design quality you don't need to be an expert to work one. With only one simple stitch to master, and no charts, these are kits for relaxation. They can be done in front of the television, taken on holiday, or stitched while you are traveling.

The needlepoint kits can be worked in half-cross, tent or basketweave stitch.

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Our Needlepoint Kits
We thought it might be interesting to show you how the kits are made. More goes into it than you might at first imagine. In this specialised sector of the textile trade techniques have remained unaltered for many years and the secrets of the craft are still handed down from generation to generation.

The Yarns

The yarns in all Ehrman needlepoint kits are 100% pure new wool. We are now producing most of our own wool which involves dying over 350 shades, some of which are pretty close. These are then wound onto cones for delivery to our warehouse in Yorkshire. There they are stored and sorted ready for chopping into the requisite lengths for packing into the various kits.

The Canvases

The canvases are 100% cotton. The canvases are printed over the Pennines in Lancashire. This is another manufacturing process requiring close attention to detail. Our designers have always taken a keen interest in this side of the business and producing one of their kits is a team effort by all the parties involved.