Photo shows Aran Rozsana Cuffs in a range of Size #5 cotton threads and equivalent sock yarns and embroidery flosses; beads are size 6/0 ("E") seed beads.
Size #5 crochet thread is fairly equivalent in thickness to CYCA #1 Super Fine or US "fingering weight' yarn {UK & AUS 3 Ply or 4 Ply}; however, not all yarns behave like a cotton crochet thread of the same thickness, so substitutions may not work well. Six-strand cotton embroidery floss falls in this size range when crocheted with all 6 strands together.
Size #10 crochet thread: some thread crocheters call this popular size “bedspread weight.” It's lumped together with thinner thread sizes in the yarn industry’s catch-all “lace weight” category: CYCA #0 Lace weight yarn {UK & AUS ??}; and most lace weight yarns don’t behave like a cotton crochet thread of the same thickness. Most of my thread crochet jewelry is designed for use with smooth, finely twisted and plied mercerized cotton, preferably “z-twisted” (i.e. has a counterclockwise twist).
Photo shows two jasmine bracelets, one in Size #10 thread, the other in Size #3 thread.
Size #20 crochet thread: As with Size #10 & #30 crochet threads, equivalent yarn weight names are not helpful with these extra fine threads. For the best looking and lasting crochet jewelry, use a “6-cord” thread, sometimes called "cordonnet." It has recently become easier to find in more colors than the traditional white and ecru.
Size #30 crochet thread: As with Size #10 & #20 threads, equivalent yarn weight names are not helpful with these extra fine threads. For the best looking and lasting crochet jewelry, use a “6-cord” thread, although it's difficult to find it in modern colors.
Is it possible to substitute embroidery floss, perhaps 2 strands out of the 6, for #20 thread?
ReplyDeleteHi Water Pegasus :-)
ReplyDeleteThe short answer, based on my experience, is yes. My longer answer is that sometimes the substitution is not exactly equivalent. It might still be close enough, depending on your project.
It may be that strands of embroidery floss behave differently from most crochet threads because the floss has fewer plies that are twisted much less; or the intense dyes cause flosses to vary (this happens with different colors of the same yarn too); or the flosses vary in quality by brand or over time.