PERLÉ COTTON SMALL - DMC

DMC Perlé Cotton No. 8 – 80 Meters of Twisted Embroidery Thread

100% Mercerized Cotton | 10g – 80m | Embroidery and Crochet

📋 Key features

• Composition100% mercerized cotton
• Skein weight10 grams
• Length80 meters
• ThicknessNo. 8 (Size S - medium-fine)
• Recommended needleTapestry 22-24 / Embroidery 5-7
• Recommended crochet hook1.25 - 1.50 mm
• WashingUp to 60°C (colors) / 95°C (whites)
• Ideal forEmbroidered relief, crochet, hardanger, tatting

🧵 The yarn

DMC Perlé Cotton No. 8 is a twisted 100% mercerized cotton yarn designed for those seeking a professional thread for hand embroidery and fine crochet. Its non-divisible twisted structure ensures clean, defined, and three-dimensional stitches, perfect for embroidered relief, elegant borders, and fabric decorations. The mercerization treatment gives the thread a natural silky luster and superior wash resistance.

Each 10-gram skein offers 80 meters of yarn, a generous length that also makes it ideal for large-scale crochet projects, lace, and continuous work. Number 8 (Size S) represents the finest thickness available in the DMC Perlé catalog, perfect for refined details and precision work.

🧬 Technical composition: why it works

Mercerized cotton is the result of a chemical treatment that alters the fiber structure, making it smoother, shinier, and more resistant. This process increases cotton's affinity for dyes, ensuring brighter colors and better wash fastness. In Perlé No. 8, mercerization results in a thread that glides easily through the needle, does not fray during work, and maintains stitch definition even after repeated use.

Stable twisting is what sets Perlé apart from other yarns: the thread maintains its round and compact shape thanks to its built-in twist, with no possibility of splitting. This makes it particularly effective when a clean, legible stitch with slight three-dimensional definition is needed. The use of long cotton fibers reduces surface fuzz and micro-irregularities along the thread, ensuring sharper embroidery stitches and a neater structure in lace and borders.

📦 Skein size and yield

The 10-gram skein offers 80 meters of yarn, a length that allows you to complete medium-to-large embroidery projects without having to change skeins frequently. With one skein, you can create complete borders on placemats, elaborate monograms, small crochet projects such as coasters or decorations, and embroidered relief on linens.

For larger projects such as embroidered tablecloths, crochet doilies, or complex hardanger work, calculate approximately 3-5 skeins per main color. Always buy skeins from the same color lot to avoid even slight shade differences, which could become visible on large surfaces.

🧶 Recommended work

For fabric embroidery, use Tapestry 22-24 needles on open-weave fabrics (Hardanger, Aida) or Embroidery 5-7 or Chenille needles on compact fabrics. A wide needle eye is essential: an eye that is too narrow increases friction, can dull the luster, and weaken the twist over time. Number 8 is ideal for embroidery requiring definition without excessive thickness, such as borders, monograms, and cross-stitch on fine canvas.

For crochet, the recommended size is 1.25-1.50 mm, perfect for lace, tatting, doilies, and decorations requiring a fine, defined structure. The twisted thread maintains the shape of the stitch even under constant tension while forming the stitch. Note: in highly twisted threads, it is normal for twist to build up during work. Every 10-15 minutes, let the work hang while holding the thread, allowing excess twist to release naturally.

✨ Why choose DMC Perlé Cotton No. 8

Compared to divisible yarns such as mouliné, Perlé No. 8 offers a round, defined structure that maintains the shape of the stitch without the need to manage multiple strands. This makes it faster to use and better suited to techniques where stitch definition is essential: hardanger, tatting, crochet lace, and embroidered relief. The stable twist prevents the thread from flattening or fraying during work.

Oeko-Tex certification guarantees the absence of harmful substances, making the yarn safe for projects intended for children or for linens in contact with the skin. DMC colors are wash fast up to 60°C for colors and 95°C for whites, allowing you to wash embroidered garments without loss of brilliance.

🎨 What you can create

DMC Perlé Cotton No. 8 is the go-to yarn for embroidered relief on linens, elegant borders on table linens, and hand-embroidered monograms and initials. It is also perfect for traditional techniques such as hardanger, tatting, crochet lace, and cross-stitch on fine canvas. The natural luster of mercerized cotton enhances every stitch, making even the finest work visible.

👩‍🎨 Who it is suitable for

Perlé No. 8 is suitable for both beginners and experienced embroiderers. For those starting out, the non-divisible thread simplifies work: there is no need to manage multiple strands, the thread glides easily through the needle, and it maintains the shape of the stitch effortlessly. For experienced users, it offers the precision needed for advanced techniques such as hardanger, tatting, and structured embroidered relief.

It is the preferred yarn for those who embroider linens to order, hobbyists who create personalized table linens, those who work fine crochet for favors and decorations, and those seeking a professional thread with DMC quality assurance for projects intended to last over time.

🧼 Maintenance and care

• WashingUp to 60°C for colors, 95°C for whites
• BleachingDo not bleach
• SpinningGentle spin cycle
• DryingDry flat
• IroningIron on medium heat on the reverse side
• StorageStore away from direct light and moisture

📌 Important note

📊 Technical data summary