Crochet guide
Crocheting with embroidery floss
Yes, embroidery floss can be crocheted. Floss is a cotton thread made of six loosely twisted strands, and it is worked whole, with all six strands as one. It comes in small skeins and many colors, so it suits small things such as jewelry and little motifs.
On this page 6 parts
What embroidery floss is
Embroidery floss is a thread made of six strands, usually cotton, twisted loosely together. It has a slight shine. The strands can be pulled apart, which is how it is used in embroidery.
It is sold in small skeins, in a very wide range of colors.
Floss and crochet thread compared
| Embroidery floss | Crochet thread | |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | Usually cotton | Usually cotton |
| Twist | Loose: six strands that can be separated | Tight |
| How it is sold | Small skeins | Balls, by size number |
Crocheting with thread covers crochet thread and its sizes.
How many strands
Crochet patterns in floss use it whole: the floss as it comes off the skein, all six strands held as one.
For a thicker strand, hold two or three lengths of floss together and crochet them as one. Crocheting with two strands shows how.
Which hook
Patterns worked in floss name a 2.5 mm hook for a single length of floss, a 3.25 mm (D-3) hook for two lengths held together, and a 5 mm (H-8) hook for three.
The two smaller sizes are in the range where small ordinary hooks and the largest steel hooks overlap. The crochet hook size chart and the steel hook size chart give both in millimeters. If the fabric comes out too loose or too stiff, change the hook. See how to measure gauge.
What floss suits
Floss suits small pieces, because a skein is small:
- Jewelry: necklaces and bracelets.
- Small motifs, such as a charm or an applique.
- Pieces with beads. A bead with a large enough hole can be strung onto floss. See crocheting with beads.
A pattern written for floss can also be worked larger, in yarn with a bigger hook.
Where to go next
- Crocheting with thread and the thread size chart
- Micro crochet, for work smaller still
- Crocheting with beads
Floss is the thread of hand embroidery, which has its own section on this site.