Embroidery Floss for Cross-Stitch: A Beginner’s Guide

Embroidery Floss for Cross-Stitch: A Beginner’s Guide

When starting cross-stitch, one of the first materials you’ll encounter is embroidery floss. At first glance, all floss may look the same, but understanding its structure, brands, and proper usage will make stitching much easier and more enjoyable.

Most embroidery floss used for cross-stitch is 6-strand cotton thread. Each skein, usually about 8 meters (8.7 yards) long, is made of six fine strands twisted together. For cross-stitch, you rarely use all six at once. Instead, you separate the strands and stitch with two or three threads, depending on the fabric count and the effect you want to achieve. For example, on 14-count Aida, two strands are most common, while on finer fabrics such as 18-count Aida or linen, one strand may be enough. Separating the strands carefully helps achieve even coverage and a smoother look in your stitches.

Several brands dominate the world of embroidery floss. DMC (from France) is perhaps the most widely recognized, offering a huge range of colors with consistent dye lots and excellent quality. (The patterns on this site are made using DMC color numbers.) 

 Anchor, another well-known brand, also provides durable, vibrant threads favored by many stitchers. In Japan, Olympus and Cosmo Lecien are popular, admired for their silky texture and rich colors. Whichever brand you choose, it’s important to stay consistent within a project, as slight variations in thickness or sheen between brands may affect the overall look.

To begin using floss, gently pull one strand at a time from the skein to avoid tangling. Then, thread the desired number of strands through your needle. For beginners, it’s helpful to cut your floss into lengths of about 40–50 cm (16–20 inches); longer pieces may fray or knot easily. Some stitchers also use the “loop start” method, folding a single strand in half to create a neat, secure beginning.

Embroidery floss may seem simple, but it’s at the heart of every cross-stitch design. By learning how to separate, prepare, and handle your threads—and by choosing high-quality brands—you set the foundation for beautiful, polished stitching. With just a bit of practice, working with floss will become second nature, and you’ll start to appreciate the subtle differences in texture and color that make cross-stitch such a rewarding craft.