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If you’re used to crocheting with heavier yarn, the idea of crocheting with embroidery floss can be intimidating. But actually embroidery thread isn’t as thin as some threads used for fine crochet work, so it’s a nice transition between yarn and thread if you want to work your way down to being able to use crochet thread.
What Weight is Embroidery Floss?
There are a few different kinds of embroidery floss you can buy and use for crocheting with embroidery floss. There’s the standard six-ply thread, which you can use as is or separate into plies to make even finer thread.
But there’s also embroidery floss or craft thread that’s meant to be used as is. It might be a single strand or two plies twisted together that aren’t intended to be separated. That’s what I used in most of these samples (because I have a lot of it and don’t love it for stitching). You might think of this as friendship bracelet thread.
I pulled out my wraps per inch tool (here’s a similar one) to determine the weight as if it were yarn and I got 25 wraps per inch. That puts it in the yarn weight 1/superfine/fingering weight category.
If you separate the plies of embroidery floss before you crochet with it, you could get “yarn” that’s even finer. I have read that using all six plies gets you something about the same weight as size 3 crochet thread, while four strands is like size 5 and two strands is like size 10. Using that comparison crocheting with embroidery floss without dividing out the plies sounds downright thick.
I did a wraps per inch measurement of two plies of floss and got about 40 wraps per inch, putting it firmly in lace weight category.
What Crochet Hook Should I Use?
Before I even measured the thread to see what equivalent yarn weight it was, I pulled out a 2.25 mm/B crochet hook. This worked fine for the thread that I was using, and it’s good for six-ply thread as well.
When you start dividing out plies you’ll of course need a smaller crochet hook to make nice, even stitches. Very small hooks are known as steel hooks, and the American numbers for steels get bigger as the hooks get smaller (so a 2.25 mm is a 2, but a 1 mm is a 12 or a 6).
The smallest hook I could find in my house is a 0/1.75 mm (which is also sometimes called a 4, because standards are confusing). This worked fine for two plies of embroidery floss. You can play around with different combinations of hooks, plies and stitches to see what you like best for what you’re planning to make.
Tips for Crocheting with Embroidery Floss
Go slow: Especially if you’re not use to crocheting with small thread and hooks, crocheting with embroidery floss can be more of a strain on your hands (and eyes) than standard crochet, so take it slow and take regular breaks.
Use an ergonomic hook: Because the hooks used for thread crochet are so small, using an ergonomic hook with a larger handle can be helpful for reducing hand strain.
Work in good lighting: The smaller the thread, the harder it is to see where you need to place your stitches. Good lighting can make it easier.
Buy a lot of thread: Depending on the type of embroidery floss you are using, you’ll probably have 6 to 10 yards per skein. This little green swatch is worked in double crochet on 20 stitches using a full 10 yard skein of floss. It came out to 3 inches wide and 2 inches across (or 7.6 by 5 cm).
To ball or not to ball: It isn’t necessary to roll your skein of thread into a ball unless you want to or it starts getting tangled. If you’re working a lot in the same color and want to make a continuous thread, you can use magic knots and roll several skeins into a larger ball if you want.
What Can You Make with Embroidery Floss?
You can crochet just about anything with embroidery floss that you would make with any kind of crochet thread or yarn. While classic crochet thread projects are things like doilies and bookmarks, you don’t have to limit yourself to dainty projects.
Here I made a granny square using six rounds of craft thread that came out to 4 inches/10 cm square. While there are people who make tiny granny squares for projects, this size is totally manageable (and was pretty quick to do). This photo is comparing working with full-sized thread and two strands, which comes out a lot smaller (that’s two of the four corners of the purple square fitting in one side of the pink)!
I will probably keep working on it but I’m not sure what it’s “for” yet. I think I can get a couple more rounds before a round is as long as a skein.
Embroidery floss is a popular choice for crocheted flowers, doll clothes and accessories, tiny amigurumi projects, even crochet garments.
These embroidery floss flower bookmarks from Fiber Flux are super cute and quick to make. There are lots of projects on TikTok if you’re over there and want to check them out. I’ve been thinking a lot about freeform crochet lately so I love these little pieces used in the video as a wall hanging but I think those blobs would be great coasters.
Have you ever tried crocheting with embroidery floss? I’d love to hear about it!
