What you need for crewel embroidery
Crewel wool, linen twill, a sharp large-eyed needle, a hoop or frame.
- Crewel wool: thicker than stranded cotton, which gives the raised look. Appleton wools come in more than 420 shades.
- Fabric: linen twill is traditional; plain linen and other sturdy fabrics also work.
- A sharp needle with an eye big enough for wool (a chenille or crewel needle).
- A hoop or frame to keep fabric taut.
- Embroidery scissors and a transfer method.
All guides ›Crewel embroidery
Sources
All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.