Light Effects in Cross Stitch

The metallic thread charts recommend for stars, snowflakes, crowns, jewels and Christmas motifs is DMC Light Effects: 6-strand, 8 m, E-coded metallic floss. Charts usually give codes such as E3852 gold, E168 silver and E5200 white directly. This category holds the Light Effects colours for cross stitch; the effect families, full guide and colour card are in DMC Light Effects. For a softer shimmer see DMC Etoile.

Strands, Needle and Stitching

Use 2 strands on 14 ct Aida and 1 on 16–18 ct; if the chart says so, 1 strand of E plus 1 of floss softens the sparkle and eases stitching. Take a size 24 blunt, large-eye needle, cut 30 cm and fix the thread in the eye with the loop method. Separate and recombine strands and lay stitches flat; stitch metallic areas last so they do not wear. One 8 m skein covers about 150–200 crosses on 14 ct; 1–2 skeins do for Christmas and card projects.