A Bit of Work!
I am currently working this kit and while it -is- lovely be warned! This is no easy kit to do! This is not floss you will be working with but wool fibers! And they do not have the corresponding colors in DMC so when I start to run short I will have to take samples to the store to find the right color.

A bit of bother but it will be worth it when I get it finished:)
Posted by: DancyFrog on 02/05/16
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I have several Riolis kits that I ordered before I realized what the floss was like. I love the design but I hate the wool floss, it is almost like thin yarn. I hope you do not run short because I don't believe you will be able to match any current floss as far as texture.
by: kty6toz on 02/05/16
Why aren't you guys contacting the manufacturer about floss shortages??? You have already paid for enough product to finish the project...unless a shortage is due to your own negligence, they should be furnishing the wool-stuff in the correct colors. Well, that's my opinion, anyway...and we all know what that's worth! :)
by: VCESS on 02/05/16
I haven't had a shortage with my Riolis kits, thank goodness and did not mean to imply that I had. The issue I have (and it is strictly a preference issue) is the texture of the wool thread and I was stating that if you did run out of thread matching would be an issue because of the wool texture. Also the company would be difficult if not impossible to contact regarding shortages because this is a Russian company.
by: kty6toz on 02/05/16
Oh, sorry! My only excuse today is that I'm over-tested and weak from loss of blood...so self-involvement and and short-sightedness is my plague-of-the-day. Yes, I know...What's the excuse for the rest of the time? :)
by: VCESS on 02/05/16
I haven't run short yet but I'm pretty sure I will because I'm not separating the strands as the instructions say to do. Every time I try one strand gets worn so thin it breaks no matter how careful I am, so rather than have one strand of one color and one of another I do the first stitch with the darker color then go over with the lighter. And as for the stitches requiring only one strand, they get two. Any shortages will be my fault but doing it this way does prevent my nerves from fraying as badly as that wool! ;)
'
by: DancyFrog on 02/05/16
I would try a larger needle...if using a 26, try a 24; a 24, try a 22...and try Thread Heaven, it is a thread conditioner made specifically for these kind of "stitch-uations". LOL, GinnaB!!!
by: VCESS on 02/05/16
I had the same problem with wool breaking, both with crewel.embroidery and with needle point. With Wisper threads (furry), the company recommends all your suggestions, bigger needle, Thread Heaven.
I would add shorter strands (they do get thinner as used) and a needle threader as well.
Any traction on the floss/thread pulls the wool.apart, it seems.

I do think Riolis kits are gotgeous, but learning Russian is not on my schedule. Ever.
by: Su Pitt on 02/05/16
VCess, I don't think changing the needle size would help since it's the wool itself that's weak.

I -did- try just now once more following the directions and separating the strands to use only one and also used a shorter strand. *sigh* I won't do it again, the thread was so weak that in spite of my care it broke. :P So from now on it's 2 strands no matter what it tells me to do!
by: DancyFrog on 02/10/16
I would encourage you to try a larger needle as VCESS suggested. It makes the hole a little larger (temporarily) so that as the thread is going through, there is less friction or pull on the thread.

I hope your struggles with fraying / breaking threads is not taking the joy out of doing this piece - it is so pretty.
by: Stitching Sherry on 02/10/16
Ah ok! That makes sense (to my dense brain:0) I'll do that.

I'm also saving a snippet from each color and taping it on a piece of paper (along with the number) so I can take it to the craft stores to see if I can match them to any DMC colors.
by: DancyFrog on 02/13/16