Antique and vintage Berlin woolwork

Berlin woolwork is a type of needlepoint embroidery that was popular in the 19th century, particularly in Germany. The technique involves using a needle and yarn to stitch designs onto a piece of canvas. The designs for Berlin woolwork were usually printed onto the canvas in the form of a graph, with different colours or shades indicated by different symbols. The stitcher would then use yarn of the appropriate colour to fill in each section of the graph.

The craft was most popular among women and was considered a respectable and refined pastime. The designs for Berlin woolwork were typically quite elaborate and included flowers, animals, and scenes from nature, as well as geometric patterns. Many of the designs were copied from popular paintings or engravings of the time.

Kits for Berlin woolwork which included the printed canvas and yarn, were widely available and could be purchased from shops or more... by mail order. Many women would work on their Berlin woolwork pieces in the evenings or during their leisure time, and the finished works were often displayed in the home.

The popularity of Berlin woolwork declined in the early 20th century, as new forms of needlework, such as cross-stitching, became popular. However, Berlin woolwork has seen a resurgence in recent years, as a growing number of people have become interested in traditional crafts and historical needlework techniques. less...