What Is Pearl Cotton?

Pearl cotton (DMC Pearl Cotton) is a glossy, tightly twisted 100% cotton thread used as a single strand; it does not divide like floss and gives full, rounded stitches. This category carries DMC No 5 (thick, 25 m skein), No 8 (medium, ball) and No 12 (fine) in the full colour card. Every size and use is covered in DMC Pearl Cotton.

Which Size for Which Work?

No 5 suits 8–11 ct heavy Aida, fine-needle punch, hardanger and satin stitch; No 8 works on 14 ct Aida and in blackwork; No 12 is for fine lace, crochet and detail stitches. The higher the number, the finer the thread. Using pearl instead of floss speeds cross stitch and gives a textured surface; a size 22–24 needle fits.

Does pearl cotton replace floss?

No 8 is close to 2 strands and No 5 to 3–4 strands of floss; the colour codes match DMC floss.