Glow-in-the-dark threads are a fantastic way to make any cross stitch that little bit more special. However there is one constant when using glow-in-the-dark, and that’s green. Or more specifically the green glow. But why green?

Why are glow-in-the-dark threads green?

Let’s start by looking at the facts; glow in the dark thread is green. You can see a few awesome glow-in-the-dark stitches elsewhere on my website, its green. But does it have to be? No. In fact, there are loads of threads out there that are glow-in-the-dark and not green, take these Kreinik ones for example:

There are two reasons for the green glow. Science, and psychology.
 
Science – The reason the glow comes, or the phosphorescent if you want to get fancy, is mostly down to zinc sulfide. Unlike other glowing chemicals, zinc is non-harmful to humans and fairly stable. Zinc sulfide is green. Now, you can add it to other chemicals to make it different colors, hence Kreinik’s threads, however, the combining reduces the phosphorescent effect heavily.
 
Physcology – People expect it to be green. Originally green was used as a haunted and eery color thanks to Halloween, being represented in alien blood, slime or zombies, and so when glow-in-the-dark colors came into fashion, green seemed the obvious choice. Since then, you naturally associate the color in your head when thinking of glow-in-the-dark, so when it’s different; you don’t like it as much. Turns out people, just like it that way.
 
If you want to learn a little more about the psychology of green we’ve got you covered!