Sashiko thread cards versus skeins
Card and skein describe how thread is packed. They do not, on their own, identify thickness, shade or quality. Compare the maker’s range name and length alongside the format.
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Compare like with like
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| Named range | Card format | Skein formats |
|---|---|---|
| Thin | 40 m | 40 m or 170 m |
| Thick | 30 m | 40 m or 100 m |
Sources: DARUMA: Thin thread formats and construction; DARUMA: Thick thread formats and colours
Choose how you want to handle the thread
A card can keep a working end easy to find and lets you cut individual lengths. A skein needs its loop and ties understood before you pull or cut it. Neither pack style proves a better stitched result, and changing format may also change the available shade numbering.
Preserve the label
Keep maker, range, shade code and original length together. If you cut a whole skein into working lengths, record that it is now prepared rather than describing it as an unopened full-length pack. Estimate remaining thread from what you actually used, not the size of the loose bundle.