If you've ever walked into a local needlepoint shop and looked at the wall of threads, you've probably had the same thought every beginner does:
Where do I even start?
Cotton.
Silk.
Wool.
Blends.
Metallics.
Velvet.
Ribbon.
There are thousands of beautiful options, and while that's one of the things I love most about needlepoint, it can also feel overwhelming when you're buying thread for your very first canvas.
The good news? You don't need to understand every thread on day one. Let's start with the basics.
Why Are There So Many Needlepoint Threads?
Unlike some crafts where one type of thread works for almost everything, needlepoint gives you an incredible amount of creative freedom.
Different threads create different textures - some have a soft matte finish, others are silky and smooth, some add sparkle, others create fluffy, textured effects.
There isn't one "best" thread, there are simply different threads for different projects. That's part of what makes needlepoint so much fun!
Cotton
Cotton is where I'd recommend most beginners start. It's easy to stitch with, forgiving, widely available, and comes in an incredible range of colors. My favorite recommendation for beginners is usually DMC Matte Cotton.
Does it get as much attention on social media as some luxury threads? Not always.
Does that make it any less beautiful? Absolutely not.
There's a reason DMC has remained one of the most popular needlepoint threads for generations.
It's:
- affordable
- easy to find
- available in hundreds of colors
- consistent from skein to skein
- regularly restocked
- wonderful to stitch
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, let me make your first decision easy: There is absolutely nothing wrong with stitching your first project entirely in DMC.
Silk
Silk is a joy to stitch. It glides through canvas beautifully, has a subtle sheen, and creates gorgeous finished pieces. Many stitchers eventually fall in love with silk threads, and for good reason.
Some of my favorites include Pepper Pot Silk for 18 mesh and Vineyard Silk, both of which stitch beautifully.
For 13 mesh, I also love Silk & Ivory, a soft silk and wool blend that's been a favorite of stitchers for years.
The biggest downside? Price and availability.
Some silk thread lines can be difficult to find in every color you need, especially if you're kitting an entire canvas, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use them, it simply means it may not be the easiest place to start.
Wool
Wool has been part of traditional needlepoint for generations, and for good reason - it's durable, forgiving, and creates a warm, classic look.
One of my favorite wool threads is Bella Lusso. Because it's a finer wool, it often needs to be stitched with multiple strands depending on your canvas mesh. That also means you'll use more skeins than you might with another thread, so it's worth keeping that in mind when planning your project.
Another favorite is vintage 100% Persian wool, which I often find online at sites like eBay or on thread destashing groups on Facebook. Being a "found" fiber, it does limit the color palette so it won't work for every project - but I love to incorporate soft, durable, well-spun vintage wool every chance I get.
Last, wool is also wonderful for dimensional stitches like turkey work, where its softness really shines. Santa's beard? A fluffy dog tail? Wool + Turkey Work is your best bet!
Blended Threads
Some of my favorite threads aren't purely silk or purely wool, they're blends.
Essentials and Milan, both made by Tilli Tomas, combine silk and wool into a thread that's soft, durable, and a pleasure to stitch.
Essentials is designed for 18 mesh.
Milan works beautifully on 13 mesh.
If I'm introducing someone to silk blends, these are often among the first threads I'd recommend.
Specialty Threads
This is where needlepoint gets really fun!
Metallic threads add sparkle, velvet creates soft texture, Ribbon brings life and dimension to flowers and baskets. There are countless specialty threads that can completely change the look of a canvas.
They can also be a little intimidating.
Some metallics are stiff and can fray, silk ribbon sometimes require a little extra patience. Certain novelty threads work best with a laying tool (ribbon!) or other techniques (flat iron your Neon Rays to take out the kinks!) you may not have learned yet.
I'd encourage beginners to think of specialty threads as something to explore, not something you need to master immediately.
Expensive Doesn't Always Mean Better
This is probably the biggest misconception I see; higher-priced threads aren't automatically better threads, they're just different.
Luxury threads often offer unique textures, beautiful sheen, or effects you can't achieve with cotton alone - they're wonderful - they're also completely optional.
Some of the most beautiful needlepoint I've ever seen was stitched with simple cotton or vintage wool.
The thread doesn't create beautiful stitching. The stitcher does.
I Stitch With...Everything
People sometimes ask what my favorite thread is.
Honestly? Almost all of them.
One canvas currently sitting in my stash includes Silk & Ivory, Planet Earth Silk, Pepper Pot, Soie Tissée, Very Velvet, Alpaca, Neon Rays, Milan, DMC, ThreadWorX, beads, and even vintage cloisonné braid.
Part of the fun is discovering which threads create the look you're after.
That said...
Every stitcher eventually finds a thread they simply don't enjoy.
For me? DMC Satin and DMC Metallic floss.
I've given both plenty of chances over the years, and they're just not for me. You might absolutely love them! That's one of the wonderful things about needlepoint.
There are no Needlepoint Police.
If I Were Kitting Your First Canvas
If you walked into one of my beginner classes tomorrow and asked me to help choose threads, I wouldn't hand you ten different specialty threads.
I'd keep it simple.
Depending on the canvas, I'd probably recommend:
- DMC Matte or Perle Cotton
- Milan or Essentials if the mesh called for it
- Maybe one fun specialty thread for a little sparkle or texture
That's it.
Your first project should teach you how to stitch. You can spend the rest of your stitching life discovering all the wonderful thread options available.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite things about needlepoint is that there isn't one right way to stitch a canvas - the same is true for thread. You'll discover threads you absolutely love and you'll find a few you probably won't buy again.
You'll slowly build your own favorites over time. So don't let the wall of beautiful threads intimidate you.
Pick one. Thread your needle. And enjoy the process!
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