DMC Pearl Cotton in Hand Embroidery

Pearl cotton is the textured thread of modern hand embroidery: single, tightly twisted and glossy, so satin, chain and knot stitches sit round and distinct, with no strands to separate. This category holds the DMC pearl cotton sizes suited to embroidery; the full size comparison, colour card and quantity guide are in DMC Pearl Cotton.

Size by Stitch

No 5 for filling, bold satin stitch, chain and big French knots; No 8 for stem stitch, outlines, lettering and hardanger wrapping; No 12 for blackwork, fine detail and facial features. Using all three in one design gives thickness contrast and depth. On dense fabric use sharp embroidery needles size 3–5 for No 5, 5–7 for No 8 and 8–9 for No 12; on evenweave a size 22–26 blunt needle. Cut 40–45 cm lengths, since gloss fades on long threads.