Crewel

Crewel embroidery is a decorative needlework technique using loosely twisted two-ply worsted wool yarn, known as crewel wool, on a plain-weave linen or cotton ground fabric. The technique is distinguished by its flowing, organic designs typically featuring sinuous vines, exotic flowers, leaves, and occasionally birds and animals. Crewel gained particular prominence in seventeenth-century England, where elaborate bed hangings and curtains in the Jacobean style became hallmarks of wealthy households. In interior design, crewel textiles bring a uniquely warm, handcrafted elegance that combines the richness of embroidery with the organic beauty of botanical design. The wool yarn creates a distinctive matte texture that differs from the sheen of silk embroidery, giving crewel a more approachable, comfortable quality. Whether in traditional Jacobean designs or contemporary interpretations, crewel adds artisanal warmth and botanical beauty to bedrooms, living areas, and window treatments.