I’ve had questions asking about substituting various threads with floss. As you know, I’m all for substituting and using what’s on hand. So, I’m going to do a little bit of a chart for you. This is only a close proximity so please don’t take this chart to be exact.

By using the chart below, you can easily substitute floss for nearly every size of tatting thread that you need. Although I highly recommend that-for the best results in duplicating a pattern-you use every effort to obtain the tatting size and type of thread that your pattern requires, this chart can help you out in a pinch; or if you’re in a remote area where it’s difficult to acquire certain thread sizes.

This is for using DMC floss. Other flosses may measure a bit differently but, even the different brands of floss can make a great substitute.

Strands>> Equivalent
7-8>> #3 (although this is a great substitute for #3, keep in mind that it’s a lot of thread to keep together and drawn evenly
6>> #5
4-5>> #10
3>> #20
2>> #30-#50 (similar to a bit heavier hand-quilting thread)
1>> #100 (very close to sewing thread and can easily break)


Again, you may find that my chart is a bit off. Some things that affect the equivalency would be tatting tension, age of floss (aged floss can be stretched to be thinner, especially if you are a tight shuttle tatter), floss brand and sometimes the color of the floss. So, keep this in mind. For most projects, the small variance will make no difference in your finished item.

For example: unless you’re tatting a doily to fit a certain piece of furniture exactly, this could make a difference. But, on the other hand, if you are making a doily to place under a lamp, your main concern would be that the lamp isn’t so big that it overwhelms your doily. Also, a clothing item, designed from motif’s with small tight joining picots will make a difference on the finished size of your garment.

However, if you’re making a table cloth or table runner; floss size will matter very little because you’ll want your table cloth to hang over the edges of your table anyway and if your table runner is a little bit smaller or larger it isn’t going to make much difference because it’s designed to accent your table and the beautiful work will do exactly that.