Embroidery Floss

Embroidery floss is a yarn which is manufactured or hand-spun especially for embroidery (hand & machine embroidery) and other forms of needlework. Embroidery floss is available in a wide range of solid colors, and some fibers are available in variegated colors as well. Embroidery floss for hand embroidery are embroidery stranded floss, pearl cotton, matte embroidery, medici, crewel, persian, tapestry wool. Embroidery floss for machine embroidery are usually of polyster or rayon (often cotton or silk).

Embroidery floss composed of six loosely-twisted strands, has long been available in cotton, silk, and rayon. Linen embroidery floss is rarer, and a new addition to some product lines. Linen floss is of particular use for making authentic period costumes.

Novelty Floss
Besides being available in different fibers, embroidery floss, like knitting yarn, has a range of novelty offerings. Metallic embroidery floss, in which metallic fiber is blended with viscose, is one, but there are also fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark flosses available.

Length and Width
Embroidery floss may be used as purchased, or one or more strands may be separated to create thread of various thicknesses. Strands are generally size 25 on the thread system, on which the number gets higher as the thread gets thinner. The two standard lengths for skeins are 8.7 yards (~8 m) per skein and 10 meters (10.9 yd.) per skein.

Stitching
Embroidery floss is used for embroidery on fabric, such as cross-stitch, huck embroidery, miniature punch-needle embroidery, etc. It