Thread Options
You need threads for your canvas but should you order Cotton or Pick Our Favorites? Here's what you might consider with each thread choice:
Cotton Threads
Cotton is a good-value thread option and you can take it anywhere! It's sturdy, doesn't pill, and has a slight sheen to it. Cotton floss is a 6-ply thread and some stitchers don't like dealing with the plies (it's harder to get them to sit flat on the canvas). Also, cotton can feel more "rigid" to stitch with as it doesn't have as much stretch in it as wool and silk. Here at Needlepoint.com, we will select cotton floss, perle cotton, or Threadworx overdyed cotton, depending upon the canvas mesh and the color match. Sometimes you will get a combination. If you would like threads with sparkle or metallic, Pick Our Favorites is the best option for you as cotton threads do not come with any sparkle.
Pick Our Favorites
With this option, we pick from any fiber in the store, which for the team at Needlepoint.com is like being handed the keys to the candy store. Fuzzy fibers, velvets, silks, sparkles - you name it. We go out of our way to include the best thread we can so you can achieve the most beautiful result. We often add thread notes with ideas for where to place the threads or how to use them, and, because we know "things" about each of the fibers (e.g.some threads are more fun in small doses - looking at you, Frosty Rays) we include just the right amount of each.
Thread Preferences
Select your desired thread option and feel free to tailor your thread selection by notating in the 'Thread Preferences' box whether you need a specific thickness for durability, a soft thread for flexibility, or a special finish like sparkle or matte to ensure you get the perfect fit. Customize your experience further by adding any specific requests, such as pliability or texture, to ensure the threads meet your exact needs for your project.
Thread Selection
Strand: The whole piece of thread as cut from the skein
Ply: A separate unit of a strand. Some strands are meant to by plied, others are not
| Brand | 18 Count / # of Strands | 13 Count / # of Strands |
|---|---|---|
| Alpaca 18 | 1 Strand | - |
| Alpaca Petite | 1 Strand | - |
| Angora | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Arctic Rays | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Bella Lusso Wool | 2-3 Strands | 4-5 Strands |
| Bouclé | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Crystal Braid | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| DMC/Butterfly Floss | 4 Ply | 7-8 Ply |
| DMC Perle Cotton #3 | - | 1 Strand |
| DMC Perle Cotton #5 | 1 Strand | 1 Strand if heavily painted |
| Elizabeth Bradley Wool | - | 1 Strand (10ct also) |
| Entice | 1 Strand | 1 Strand gives light coverage |
| Essentials | 1 Strand | - |
| Flair | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Fluffy Fleece | 1 Strand Couch | 1 Strand Couch |
| Frosty Rays | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Fuzzy Stuff | 1 Strand | 2 Strands |
| Fyre Werks | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Glisten | 1 Strand | 1 or 2 Strands |
| Impressions | 1-2 Stands | - |
| Kreinik #4, #8 (Threadworx Overdyed), #12 | 1 Strand | - |
| Kreinik #16 | - | 1 Strand |
| Neon Rays | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Neon Rays+ | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Pepper Pot Silk | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Patent Leather | 1 Strand | 1 Strand/Long Stitches |
| Petite Silk Lame Braid | 1 Strand/light coverage | - |
| Petite Sparkle Rays | 1 Strand | - |
| Planet Earth Silk | - | 1 Strand |
| Planet Earth 6 Ply Silk | 4 Ply | 6 Ply |
| Planet Earth Wool | - | 1 Strand |
| Ribbon Floss | 1 Strand for long stitches | 1 Strand |
| River Silk | 1 Strand for long stitches | 1 Strand |
| Silk & Ivory (Classic/Stardust) | 1 Strand if lightly painted | 1 Strand |
| Silk Lame Braid for 13 | - | 1 Strand |
| Silk Lame Braid for 18 | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Silk Lame Braid Plus | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Snow (Caron) | 1 Strand | 1 Strand/light coverage |
| Splendor | 4 Ply | 6-7 Ply |
| Straw Silk | 1 Strand | 1 Strand/light coverage |
| ThreadworX Metallic Overdye | 1 Strand | - |
| ThreadworX Overdyed Floss | 2-3 Ply | 6-8 Ply |
| Twinkle | 1 Strand | 2 Strands |
| Very Velvet | - | 1 Strand |
| Very Velvet Petite | 1 Strand | 1 Strand/light coverage |
| Vineyard Silk (Classic/Shimmer) | 1 Strand | 1 Strand if heavily painted |
| Vineyard Merino | 1 Strand | 1 Strand if heavily painted |
| Water N Ice | 1 Strand | 1 Strand |
| Weeks Dye Works | 4 ply | 7-8 ply |
| Wisper | 2 Strands | 4 Strands |
Thread talks
Get tips and tricks for using our favorite needlepoint threads.
Featured video: Silk and Ivory
50% wool, 50% silk, 100% versatile. Learn how to stitch with Silk and Ivory, some of our favorite ways to use it, and more!
Bella Lusso
The silky texture allows for effortless stitching, while the wool component adds durability, making it ideal for both delicate and long-lasting projects.
Planet Earth Wool
Made from 100% natural wool, each strand is carefully spun to provide a soft yet durable texture that glides smoothly through fabric, ensuring an enjoyable stitching experience.
Threadworx
This versatile wool is a great option for stitching larger projects, like cushions and carpets, and it comes in over 400 colors! Watch this video to learn about how to stitch with Elizabeth Bradley Wool, some of our favorite uses of it, and more!
Entice
Perfect for creating depth and texture in your needlepoint art, Entice combines beauty with function, making it an excellent choice for any designer looking to elevate their needlework projects.
Essentials
Known for its luxurious silk fibers, this brand offers a smooth, soft texture that glides effortlessly through fabric, making it a favorite among stitchers of all levels.
Neon Rays
Made from a unique blend of nylon and metallic fibers, this thread offers a striking, reflective sheen that catches the light and makes your designs truly stand out.