Embroidery Floss

Embroidery floss is a six (6) stranded extra thin yarn or extra thick thread. (Depending on how you look at it.) It can be found in cotton, rayon, linen, wool, or satin. (The most common types are cotton and rayon.) It can also be found in metallic and pearl variations. There are also variegated colors and fun, funky variations, like glow-in-the-dark.

The coolest thing about having a six stranded embroidery floss is how many color variations you can get. You can mix and match your colors to get different shades.

Example: You can use 2 strands of a dark color embroidery floss and 1 strand of a light color. Then to lighten it up just a bit, use 2 strands of the light color and only 1 strand of the dark. You can mix and match to get all sorts of different shades! This technique makes gradual shade changes happen very nicely.

Embroidery floss is used mostly for cross stitching and standard hand embroidery.

Below is an easy conversion chart from DMC (my favorite) embroidery floss to Anchor embroidery floss. They are the two most popular and easy-to-find brands. I have found through my own personal use, that DMC embroidery floss seems to have more color and style choices. I also think it holds up a little better to the repetitive rubbing of pulling the floss up and down through stiff Aida cloth or linen.

Because DMC is my favorite, I have listed a bunch of their different floss choices. Not all of the DMC embroidery floss choices have an Anchor equivalent, but I have tried to list an Anchor embroidery floss color that is close.

Click here to download the pdf version

Embroidery Floss Conversion Chart
DMC to Anchor

* Suggested Substitution

The above embroidery floss chart is for the standard colors you will be using. Use the variegated embroidery floss colors to add dimension and variation to your projects. Below you will find a conversion chart from DMC embroidery floss to Anchor.

Embroidery Floss Conversion
DMC to Anchor
Variegated

* Suggested Substitution

The embroidery floss colors below are the fun ones! Use these different types of embroidery floss to add POP and whimsy to your project!!

Embroidery Floss Conversion
DMC to Anchor
Metallics and Misc.

* Suggested Substitution

Special Note: Some of the metallic and pearl type embroidery floss can be a little difficult to work with. They tends to stretch. Have patience, and use shorter lengths. No sense in going to war with your embroidery floss!! (Or wasting it to knots!)

Click here to download the pdf version

As you can see. The embroidery floss choices are almost unlimited!! And this is just DMC!! Imagine your choices when you factor in all the other brands of embroidery floss out there!!

Experiment with all the different brands and types of embroidery floss until you find your favorite. Then start collecting your colors. If you're like me, you'll want at least, one of each!!

Go to Hand Embroidery Stitches          Go to Cross Stitch Stitches

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