Does choosing threads for your needlepoint canvases leave you feeling overwhelmed or frustrated? Do all of the different options confuse you? I’ll bet you wish there was an easy way to know which threads to use on the different sizes of needlepoint canvas, don’t you? Well, I have some good news. Today, we’re gonna take a closer look at some of my favorite threads so you’ll have the info you need the next time you want to stock up!
Sound good?
Terrific!
Let’s dive in…
Since most hand-painted needlepoint canvas designs are 13 or 18 mesh, let’s divvy our threads up that way. It’s how I categorize them when I’m considering which ones to use on my projects. I think it’ll make it easier for you, too. 🙂
We’ll start with some of my favorite threads for 13 mesh needlepoint canvas.
You can use some of these threads on 18 mesh canvas, too, but I especially like them for larger mesh canvas. I’m dividing them up by fiber type so you’ll know which ones you might want to try (or avoid!). 😉
Cotton
The Caron Collection
- Watercolours
The DMC Corporation
- DMC 6-strand cotton embroidery floss
Weeks Dye Works
- 6-strand hand over-dyed cotton embroidery floss
Silk
Access Commodities
- Trebizond
Planet Earth Fibers
- Planet Earth Silk
River Silks Ltd.
- River Silks Silk Ribbon (4mm. 7mm, 13mm)
Silk Road Fibers
- Straw Silk
Wool
Brown Sheep
- Waverly Wool
Rainbow Gallery
- Rainbow Persian
Silk/Wool Blend
- Silk and Ivory
- Trio
Metallic Threads
Access Commodities
- Accentuate
Kreinik Manufacturing Co.
- #16 Medium Braid
- 1/8″ Ribbon
Rainbow Gallery
- Frosty Rays
- Fyre Werks
- Neon Rays +
- Silk Lamé Braid 13
- Sparkle Rays
Novelty Threads
Rainbow Gallery
- Rainbow Angora
- Flair
- Mandarin Floss
- Neon Rays
- Rainbow Tweed
- Very Velvet
- Wisper
And here are some of my favorite threads for 18 mesh needlepoint canvas.
Since most of the projects I stitch are 18 mesh canvas, this list is longer than the list of threads for 13 mesh canvas. 😉
Cotton
The Caron Collection
- Watercolours
The DMC Corporation
- DMC 6-strand cotton embroidery floss
- Floche
- Perle cotton #5
Threadworx
- Threadworx Overdyed Cotton Floss
Weeks Dye Works
- 6-strand hand over-dyed cotton embroidery floss
Silk
Access Commodities
- Trebizond
Au Ver à Soie
- Soie d’Alger
- Soie Perlée
The Caron Collection
- Waterlilies
Planet Earth Fibers
- Pepper Pot Silk
- Planet Earth 6-ply Silk
Rainbow Gallery
- Elegance
- Grandeur
- Splendor
River Silks Ltd.
River Silks Silk Ribbon (4mm, 7mm, 13 mm)
Silk Road Fibers
- Straw Silk
Wiltex Threads, Inc.
- Vineyard Classic Silk
- Vineyard Tone on Tone
Wool
Brown Sheep
- Waverly Wool
Fleur de Paris
- Bella Lusso
Planet Earth Fibers
- Planet Earth Wool
Rainbow Gallery
- Rainbow Persian
Wiltex Threads, Inc.
- Vineyard Merino
Silk/Wool Blend
Brown Paper Packages
- Silk and Ivory (long stitches)
- Trio
Linen
Rainbow Gallery
- Rainbow Linen
Metallic Threads
Access Commodities
- Accentuate
Kreinik Manufacturing, Co.
- #12 Tapestry Braid
- 1/16″ Ribbon
Rainbow Gallery
- Crystal Braid
- Entice
- Petite Frosty Rays
- Fyre Werks
- Glisten
- Neon Rays +
- Petite Silk Lamé Braid
- Silk Lamé Braid 18
- Petite Sparkle Rays
Novelty Threads
Rainbow Gallery
- Alpaca 18 – Rainbow Gallery
- Arctic Rays – Rainbow Gallery
- Flair – Rainbow Gallery
- Fuzzy Stuff – Rainbow Gallery
- Mandarin Floss – Rainbow Gallery
- Neon Rays – Rainbow Gallery
- Patina – Rainbow Gallery
- Rainbow Tweed – Rainbow Gallery
- Petite Very Velvet – Rainbow Gallery
- Wisper – Rainbow Gallery
So, there you have it – some of my favorite threads for needlepoint and which size canvas mesh I like to use them on. 🙂
If you want to learn how to pair different threads with canvas embroidery stitches, you might want to check out my new workshop!
Stitch Guides Made Simple LIVE!™ is happening on October 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m . CDT on Zoom. During the workshop, I’m going to walk you through the same exact process that I use for writing stitch guides for all of my needlepoint projects. (And that includes how to determine which threads work well with different stitches.)
Until next time, happy stitching…
XOXO!! ❤️
Hi Ellen,
I was unsure when reading this if any of the choices for 18 mesh should be used as a bunch or stranded. Such as planet earth is 6 strand. Should I try to use 3 strands, then 4, etc, is it by trial or is there a standard?
Thanks,
Sheri
Hi Sheri
When working with divisible thread, you’ll always want to strand it (i.e., take the strands apart and put them back together again, then thread your needle). When working with 18 mesh canvas, I usually start with 3 or 4 strands if my goal is to completely cover the canvas. You may add or subtract however many you need to get the coverage you want. I hope this helps – and please let me know if you have more questions.
XOXO!
Ellen