What Is DMC Pearl Cotton?
DMC Pearl Cotton (Coton Perlé) is a tightly twisted, double-mercerised embroidery thread of 100% cotton with a pearl sheen. What sets it apart from floss is that it is single-ply and not separated: you thread it as it is, and it sits round and full in the stitch. This page gathers every DMC pearl cotton size and colour at Hobianna in one place; the pearl cotton categories in the cross stitch, embroidery, tapestry and punch needle branches link here. Colour codes are shared with DMC floss; 310 black, 321 red and B5200 snow white are the same tone in every size.
The Difference between No 5, No 8 and No 12
The higher the number, the finer the thread. DMC Pearl Cotton No 5 is the heaviest and most used size; sold in 25 m skeins, it equals three to four strands of floss. No 8 is an 80 m 10 g ball, the weight of two strands of floss and the widest in use. No 12 comes in a 120 m ball, the fineness of one to two strands, preferred for detail, lace and fine fabric work. The colour card is widest in No 5 and narrowest in No 12; a colour may not exist in all three sizes, and you can filter by size on the product pages.
Which Size for Which Work?
Hand embroidery: No 5 gives a textured, fast result in satin, chain, stem and filling stitches; No 8 for fine outlines and lettering, No 12 for miniature details. Hardanger and blackwork: classic hardanger uses the pair No 5 (satin blocks) and No 8 (fills and wrapping) on 22 ct fabric, No 8 and No 12 on 28 ct; for blackwork No 12 gives the cleanest line on 28 ct evenweave. Cross stitch and tapestry: No 5 on 11 ct aida, No 8 on 14 ct, No 12 on 16–18 ct give full coverage; in tapestry No 5 offers a glossy, finer option in place of wool. Punch needle: with a fine punch needle No 5 and No 8 give dense, sturdy loops; Hobianna's punch kits and fine needles are prepared for these sizes. Lace, edging and crochet: No 8 and No 12 with a 1–1.25 mm hook for lace edges, needle lace and tiny motifs; No 5 suits heavy cord and tassels.
Needle, Fabric and Quantity Guide
On closely woven fabric use a sharp chenille needle size 3–5 for No 5, 5–7 for No 8, 8–9 for No 12; on aida and evenweave a blunt size 22, 24 and 26 respectively. Cut 40–45 cm lengths; a long thread loses its sheen and the twist opens. A rough quantity guide: a 25 m No 5 skein covers about 15×15 cm of filled cross stitch on 14 ct or the main colour of a medium embroidery design; an 80 m No 8 ball a hardanger napkin edge; a 120 m No 12 ball several lace motifs. Buy background and main colours from the same dye lot, one ball extra.
Why from Hobianna?
Hobianna is one of DMC's authorised sales points in Turkey; the pearl cotton products carry the original DMC label and current colour card, and every colour in stock is listed by colour code. Write to our customer service for colour card, colour number and conversion questions. From the same range, the lace threads DMC Babylo, Cordonnet Special and Special Dentelles, plus glossy DMC Satin and DMC floss are also on our site.