Fein-Ariosa is an evenweave fabric in a cotton and modal blend: the modal, made from wood cellulose, keeps the fabric stable and gives it a soft handle, with a slightly rustic looking surface. The threads are easy to see and count, the weave stays square through long hours of work and holds up well in a frame or hoop, so it suits experienced stitchers as well as anyone moving from Aida to counted thread fabrics.
Work cross stitch and half cross stitch over two threads with two strands of stranded cotton, blackwork and counted thread stitches with one strand, and Hardanger with no. 8 perle for the kloster blocks and no. 12 for the fillings; drawn thread borders and hemstitching work well too. Good for framed pieces, tablecloths, runners and cushions: leave a generous margin around the design for hems and framing.