They’re fun, they’re surprising, they add a whole other dimension to any project. They are glow-in-the-dark threads. Here’s a little information about them.

• Any glow-in-the-dark item contains a material called phosphor that radiates a glow after being activated with light. The light actually energizes the material to be luminescent for a period of time, after which the material returns to it’s original energy level.
• Glow-in-the-dark threads can be activated or “charged” by holding them up to a light — or (if used in a cross stitch or needlepoint design, for instance) allowing them to be in a room with good lighting. Turn off the light, and they will glow. The glow doesn’t last forever, however: the threads need to be recharged with light.
• You can also use a blacklight bulb (ultraviolet light) in a lamp or flashlight to make the threads glow for an extended period of time.Kreinik has five glow-in-the-dark colors available in different thread sizes: Blending Filament; #4, 8, 12, 16, 32 Braids; 1/8” Ribbon and 1/16” Ribbon; and Facets.
• Glow-in-the-dark threads often look green when they are glowing even though they aren’t green in their non-glow state. This is due to green phosphors in the material. The green ones are most common, non-toxic, inexpensive kind of phosphor available to manufacturers. These green phosphors also glow the longest and the brightest. Since that is the appeal of a glow-in-the-dark item, manufacturers use green phosphors most often.
• Glow-in-the-dark threads tend to be a bit thicker and stiffer than metallic or cotton threads. We recommend using shorter lengths so the thread won’t get tangled, and use a needle with an eye slightly larger than what you usually use (this will make the thread pass through the fabric more easily).

Have fun with your placement of glow-in-the-dark threads in a cross stitch, needlepoint, quilt or embroidery design: 

• Street lights
• Windows
• Animal Eyes
• Ghosts and other Halloween figures
• Moonlight
• Stars
• Comets
• Fireworks
• Candles
• Lightning
• Fireflies and other bugs
• Dragons
• And more