Choosing Threads
When getting started with needlepoint, figuring out what threads to buy for your canvas can be confusing. There are many different threads to choose from, but many are made to be used on a specific size canvas. As you stitch more and more, you will find that you prefer working with some threads over others.
13 Mesh Canvas Thread Recommendations:
Silk and Ivory:
The most commonly used thread for 13 mesh canvas is Silk and Ivory which is a silk and wool blend thread. I don’t recommend using this thread on an 18 mesh canvas because it will look lumpy and thick. It comes in a 28.8 yard skein and has a large variety of colors to match your canvas.
Milan:
Another commonly used thread for 13 mesh canvas is Milan, which is also a silk and wool blend thread. Milan comes in 30 yard skeins and has many color options to choose from.
DMC Pearl Cotton Size 3:
This is a great thread if you are looking for an inexpensive option, or if you are just starting out with needlepoint. This thread can be divisive as some like it and some hate working with it. The thread you choose is always a personal preference. This thread comes in 271 colors and each skein is about 16 yards long. Make sure that you are using the size 3 thread on a 13 mesh canvas.
18 Mesh Canvas Thread Recommendations:
Vineyard Silk (Classic):
Vineyard Silk was the first needlepoint-specific thread that I used. I love this thread for beginners, because it is easy to work with and has many colors to choose from. It comes in 30-yard skeins.
Pepper Pot:
This is a silk thread that is mainly used for 18 mesh canvas, but can also be used for 13 mesh. If you use it on a 13 mesh canvas, it may not fully cover the canvas intersections as well as something like Silk and Ivory. It comes in 30 yard skeins and it also has a wide range of colors.
Essentials:
One reason many people like using Essentials is because it comes on both small cards and larger skeins. So, if you find that you only need a little bit of thread for a part of your canvas, you can choose a small card of Essentials instead of a large skein. It is a silk wool blend and the cards are 10 yards, it also comes in 30 yard skeins.
DMC Pearl Cotton Size 5:
Like Pearl Cotton size 3, This thread is another inexpensive option. This size Pearl Cotton thread can also be purchased at a big box craft store (like Michaels or Hobby Lobby) in your area. This is a saving grace you do not have a needlepoint store nearby. It comes in skeins that are about 27 yards long. Pearl Cotton size 5 also comes in 286 colors.
Specialty Thread Recommendations:
In addition to the threads I mentioned above, there are also specialty threads that you can use to add texture or sparkle to your canvas. I have listed some below that are commonly used to add a little something extra to your canvas. I would not recommend using these threads on your first canvas, as many specialty threads can be a little harder to work with than the threads I mentioned above.
Very Velvet:
This thread comes in two sizes: Petite (for 18 mesh) and Regular (for 13 mesh). Before you buy, make sure you have the correct size thread for your canvas. Like it says in the name, this thread has a velvety texture. Many like to use this thread for something like Santa’s suit or a teddy bear. When working with this thread, I recommend leaving a small tail at the end of your needle, because the thread dents and it may show on your canvas as you stitch. This thread is super fun to work with, but like many specialty threads, the colors are limited.
Neon Rays and Neon Rays Plus:
Neon Rays is a ribbon-like thread that is very shiny. Neon Rays Plus is a similar ribbon-like thread, but it has sparkle in it. These threads can be slippery and hard to work with as a beginner. My advice with these is to have patience and take your time so the thread doesn’t twist on itself. Many recommend using a laying tool (a stick-like tool that helps you control how the thread lays on the canvas) with ribbon threads, you can also use your finger instead of a laying tool to help lay the threads flat if you are doing a decorative stitch.
Silk Lame Braid:
This thread is one of the most commonly used sparkle threads. Like many of these specialty threads, there are different sizes for different sized canvases, so pay attention to what you are buying. This thread is super fun to use to add a little sparkle to your canvas. They have a great selection of colors, especially gold threads.
Strandable Threads:
There are also threads that can be stranded (each individual string comes out of the thread). These threads are great if you want to use them for 13 or 18 mesh. Some find that it is a pain to strand these threads and prefer not to use them.
DMC Floss:
This is my favorite thread to use because it is cheap and I have a large stash of it from my hand embroidery days. I also like that it is easy to find at a big box craft store. I personally do not strand DMC because I am lazy, however, some people prefer the look when it is stranded. Many recommend using six strands of floss on 13 mesh and four strands for 18 mesh. I usually like a thicker coverage (and once again, I am lazy and don’t want to strand) so I use all six strands of floss on my 18 count canvas. DMC floss comes in 472 color options.
Dye Lots
One final thing to know about most specialty threads is that the colors are produced in ‘dye lots.’ This is important to know, because the shade of the thread can vary based on the dye lot. When kitting your canvas, be sure to buy enough to complete your canvas, because if you run out and need to buy more later, the thread may not exactly match if it isn’t from the same dye lot. DMC threads, and some specialty threads do not have dye lots, and you can depend on the threads always matching.