Going Big: Why 12 Strands of Floss Might Be Your New Favorite Trick
Sarah Mesa
I know what you're thinking—12 strands of floss? In one needle? Isn't that, like, embroidery chaos? Trust me, I had the same thought. But sometimes, breaking the “rules” leads to the best results. Whether you’re looking for bold texture, fluffy details, or stitches that really pop, using all 12 strands can be a game-changer. So grab your floss and let’s dive into the wonderful world of stitching with 12 strands!
Why Would I Use 12 Strands?
Using 12 strands adds incredible texture to your embroidery without needing specialty floss. If you’ve stitched with me for a while, you might remember that in the 2022 Advent Stitch-Along, we used tapestry wool for the clouds. It was stunning—fluffy, dimensional, and perfect. But finding tapestry wool? Not so easy. That’s where 12 strands of regular embroidery floss come in—they give you that same rich texture using materials you already have!
What Needle Do I Use?
I know it sounds shocking, but you’re going to want to use a size 5 embroidery needle for 12 strands. When I first tried stitching with all 12 strands, I experimented with different needle sizes and types. Trust me, I went down the rabbit hole but, after plenty of trial and error, the size 5 needle won out. It’s sharp enough to pierce the fabric smoothly and has an eye just big enough to fit all 12 strands without too much struggle.
How Do I Prepare My Needle?
Preparing the size 5 needle for 12 strands looks a little different from how we normally do it. Instead of threading the needle and leaving a short tail, you’ll slide the needle all the way to the center of the floss and tie the loose ends together. This way, you’re stitching with 12 strands—not 24! (Because think about it, if you cut two arm-lengths of floss, tied them together, and then threaded your needle, you'd be pulling a whopping 24 strands through the fabric with every stitch. Yikes!)
Tips for Success
Now that you're ready to stitch with 12 strands of floss, here are a few tips to help things go smoothly:
1. Go slow! Gently pull your floss to avoid tangles, and use your needle to guide the floss down as you stitch. 2. Keep your stitches loose. Since 12 strands can be a bit heavy, pulling too tightly can cause puckering. Keep things relaxed for a smoother finish! 3. Use shorter lengths of floss. Normally, we recommend an arm’s length of floss, and technically, you still are—but since you're folding it in half, you're really working with about half that length. 4. Be willing to experiment! Try using 12 strands in different ways to see what textures and effects you love most.
Ready to dive into stitching with 12 strands? It's a fun and easy way to add bold texture to your designs! Whether you try it with our free Rejoice Always pattern or get ready for our 2025 Easter Stitch-Along design, I can't wait to see what you create!
