What's the Stitch

All Things Thread

Don’t know where to start? 

Here’s a quick overview on threads that are commonly used in needlepoint (and that are also carried at What’s the Stitch!).

Shop Threads

Choosing the Right Thread

When you’re choosing threads for a needlepoint canvas, you want to consider what size mesh your project is first and then choose your thread accordingly. Based on your budget, there’s a bunch of different options to choose from - you just want to make sure that you choose a thread that will provide enough coverage on the canvas when you’re stitching!

  • 18 Mesh

    For 18 mesh canvases, we love stitching with Pepper Pot Silk. 

    Pepper Pot Silk provides great coverage and is really smooth to stitch with, which makes it really enjoyable to use. If you’re working with a tighter budget, we love using DMC 5 Pearl Cotton. Cotton thread is durable, more affordable, and oftentimes a lot easier to find.

  • 13 Mesh

    For 13 mesh canvases, we love stitching with Silk & Ivory or Milan. 

    Both are Silk and Wool blends, which mean they’re slightly more durable than pure silk alone, but still offer a very smooth stitching experience and lots of vibrant colors to choose from. We like either! For a more affordable option, we love using DMC 3 Pearl Cotton.

Cotton Thread

  • The most affordable option
  • Oftentimes the easiest to find
  • Great for making cording if you are self-finishing a project
  • It’s very durable!

Brands

  • 1

    DMC Floss

    Great to use on 18 mesh canvas and easy to find at large craft stores

    coming soon
  • 2

    DMC 3 Pearl Cotton

    Great to use on 13 mesh canvas and easy to find at large craft stores

    shop
  • 3

    DMC 5 Pearl Cotton

    Great to use on 18 mesh canvas and easy to find at large craft stores

    shop

Silk & Wool

  • Since it’s mixed with wool, it’s a bit more durable than silk on its own
  • A good option for backgrounds or projects that get a lot of use
  • Lots of vibrant colors
  • Very smooth to stitch with

Brands

  • 1

    Silk and Ivory

    Really smooth to stitch with and lots of color options make it a great fiber option. 

    Our favorite for 13 mesh.

    shop
  • 2

    Milan

    50% Merino Wool and 50% Silk.
    Slightly less coverage than Silk and Ivory, but a very smooth stitch. 

    Best for 13 mesh projects.

    shop
  • 3

    Essentials

    50% Merino Wool and 50% Silk, available in 10-yard cards or 30-yard skeins so you can buy based on specific need!

    Best for 18 mesh projects.

    shop

Silk

  • Our favourite to stitch with
  • Very smooth to stitch with
  • A large variety of colors
  • The pricier option

Brands

  • 1

    Pepper Pot

    Great for 18 or 13 mesh, though we prefer to use it on 18 mesh. Provides great coverage.

    Our favorite for 18 mesh.

    shop
  • 2

    Planet Earth Silk

    100% silk, great for 13 mesh, and a very smooth stitch. Comes in a wide variety of vibrant colors.

    coming soon to wts

Shop by Mesh Size

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