Embroidery threads
16 embroidery threads. Stranded cotton, pearl cotton sizes 3 to 12, coton a broder, crewel and tapestry wool, silk, metallic and other hand embroidery threads with their weight, how they divide and what they are for. Click a name for its full record.
16 of 16 embroidery threads
| Thread | Fibre | Strands | Weight | Put-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six-strand cotton (embroidery floss) | mercerised cotton | 6 | medium | 8 m (8.7 yd) skein |
| Pearl cotton, size 3 | mercerised cotton | 1 | very heavy | 15 m skein |
| Pearl cotton, size 5 | mercerised cotton | 1 | heavy | 25 m skein or 45 m ball |
| Pearl cotton, size 8 | mercerised cotton | 1 | medium | 80 m ball or 10 m skein |
| Pearl cotton, size 12 | mercerised cotton | 1 | fine | 120 m ball |
| Coton a broder (size 16, 20, 25, 30) | mercerised cotton | 1 | fine | 20 to 30 m skein |
| Crewel wool | wool | 1 | fine | 25 to 30 m skein |
| Tapestry wool | wool | 1 | very heavy | 8 to 10 m skein |
| Persian wool | wool | 3 | medium | 8 m skein |
| Stranded silk | silk | 7 | medium | 5 m skein |
| Flat silk (filament silk) | silk | 12 | fine | 10 m spool |
| Metallic braid (Kreinik-type, sizes 4, 8, 12, 16) | polyester and metallised polyester | 1 | medium | 10 m spool |
| Blending filament | polyester and metallised polyester | 1 | very fine | 50 m spool |
| Rayon (satin) floss | viscose rayon | 6 | medium | 8 m skein |
| Sashiko thread | cotton | 1 | heavy | 20 m skein or 100 m card |
| Linen embroidery thread | linen | 1 | medium | 20 m skein |
Strands: Divisible strands per length; 1 means the thread is used as it comes. Weight: How thick a single working thread stitches; six-strand cotton varies with the strands used.Updated 2 Oct 2026