If fabric is the canvas for your cross-stitch artwork, then threads are surely the paints. By using a selection of threads in different colours and materials, cross-stitch designers can create something extraordinary. Here, we will look at some commonly used threads and some speciality threads which can add a little something special to your piece.

Stranded Cotton 

By far the most commonly used thread in cross-stitch is stranded cotton. Why is it called stranded cotton? Because the thread can be easily divided into (usually) six strands we normally only use one or two of these strands to stitch at a time.

Cotton thread is tough, colour-fast, and a real pleasure to work with. Generally, it comes in skeins 8 metres in length and you cut a piece to your desire length before pulling out a single strand to work with, keeping the rest safe for later use. How long of a length you cut from the main skein is really up to you, however I like to cut my length to about one metre, pull out a single strand, and then double over that strand so my working thread is about 50cm long and counts as two strands. Beginners may choose to work with shorter, more manageable lengths at first. Why do I pull out one strand and double it over rather than pulling out two separate strands? Because, by doubling the single strand over, one end becomes a loop which is very useful for the ‘loop-start’ method which we will talk about in a later blog post. If you choose to use more than one strand at a time, I advise pulling them out one at a time so you don’t end up with a knot.

Popular brands of stranded cotton include:

• DMC
• Anchor
• Madeira

Stranded Polyester

In recent years, stranded polyester thread has become popular with some stitchers, partly due to its low price. It is marketed as an alternative to stranded cotton, however I find it difficult to work with and am not particularly fond of the end result. Many people adore it, however, so you may find yourself loving it too.

Silk Threads

Soft, shiny and luxurious, silk threads are an absolute joy to work with and are sure to add a touch of decadence to your project. Silk threads are often hand-dyed and come in a variety of wonderful colours. Silk thread does not come cheap though, and if you don’t have the budget or inclination to use it in a project that asks for silk, you can absolutely substitute cotton thread instead. Most designers who call for silk thread in their designs will provide a list of alternative cotton threads but, if they have not done so, you can find conversion charts online. Please, please don’t ever put off stitching a design because you can’t get your hands on silk thread; stitching in cotton will produce an equally beautiful result and no one will be able to tell the difference. 

Metallic Thread

Metallic threads are often used to add sparkle to a project and are particularly popular in fancy-lady designs and Chatelaines. Metallic threads are made from shiny polyester and can be tricky to use. Don’t worry though, we will be looking at tips for using metallic threads later in this series. Because they are generally made from plastic and do not take kindly to direct heat, I prefer to leave off using metallic threads until the cotton portion of the stitching on a project has been completed and it has been washed and ironed. 

Popular brands of metallic thread include:

• Kreinik
• Rainbow Gallery’s Petite Treasure Braid
  

Other Speciality Threads

There are lots of other types of thread used in cross-stitch, particularly from the American brand Rainbow Gallery which specialises in speciality threads. One of my favourites is their Mandarin Floss which is a beautiful bamboo thread which is simply glorious to work with.

Rainbow Gallery’s Wisper thread contains 70% mohair and more so resembles a yarn you might knit with than a needlecraft thread. It is often used to add texture and dimension to birds or animals, or- as is the case with our Angel of Christmas chart- to add fur detailing to clothing.

Please don't worry too much about all the speciality threads we have discussed above as it is highly likely that your first few projects will call only for stranded cotton. Once you have got to grips with using that (and it really is very simply) you are ready to start stitching! 

Thread Storage

There are many differing opinions regarding the best way to organise and store our needlecraft threads. Some stitchers insist the skein of thread must be unravelled and the thread wrapped around a plastic bobbin. Others like to keep their threads on the skein but keep the skeins in small plastic bags which can be attached to a metal ring. There are floss-drops, floss chips- the list is really endless.

Personally, I didn’t worry too much about thread storage as a beginner stitcher, but as my collection of stranded cotton threads grew, I realised that I couldn’t go on with all my skeins bunched up in an old biscuit tin! Therefore, I did some research and came across a system called Annie’s Keepers. Each thread is assigned its own little plastic tab or “keeper” and, after cutting the thread in eight one-metre lengths, I loop the threads through the hold in the keeper and then slide the keeper onto a plastic storage slide. I now have 34 of these slides, each holding 15 keepers arranged in a filing cabinet which I bought specifically for this purpose. My collection of 500 DMC threads are arranged in numerical order and finding the one I want is incredibly simple. When it is time for me to start a new project, I remove the keepers I need from the storage slides and arrange them onto another project slide or a metal ring. 

WARNING: Annie’s Keepers are designed and manufactured in the United States and the storage slides are designed to fit into an American sized filing cabinet. They would not fit a standard sized filing cabinet sold here in Ireland so I bought one from Ikea which was adjustable.