I have been using DMC Pearl Cottons for over 20 years. DMC makes the loveliest Pearl Cotton - it reflects the light better than any others I've used. It just seems to shimmer. It comes in 4 common sizes, from largest diameter size 3, to size 5 which is perfect for my Sashiko work, to the more common sizes 8 and 12, the finest diameter, which are both good for other embroidery. It may be available in other sizes, I just haven't seen any others.

There are 3 styles of colors available. Regular Pearl Cotton is a solid color, Variegated Pearl Cotton is the style you want if you need a color which has a very regular color shift from light (tint) to dark (shade) at very regular intervals. DMC Pearl Cotton Variations' colors shift and change with tints & shades, but also across a wide range of complementary colors too, and not at regular intervals.

Size 5 Variations is what I use the most often, and it's becoming difficult to find. Many JoAnn's carry the Solid colors and sometimes the Variegated, but most don't carry the Variations, but the largest JoAnn's do. None of those are within driving distance of my home, so I am very happy to have discovered all the colors of DMC size 5 Variations are available in JoAnn's online store.

Thank You JoAnn's!

I used this to make some micro crochet Christmas tree earrings and it worked great! Nice, and smooth to work with. also love the consistent color.

These variegated Pearl cotton threads have a lovely Sheen and color vibrancy. As far as value for the money?..... there are some hand dyed threads that are comparable in price. So you need to decide for yourself if you want to spend the money for hand dyed threads are mass-produced. Some of the DMC varigated Pearl cottons are not as nice as these, and I have preferred some of the hand-dyed alternatives, but this particular color variation was very nice and I thought it was worth my money.

I Used this #5 to bind a king size flannel blanket, it was much easier to work with than using 6 strand embroidery floss. Knots securely, pulls through the layers easily, very strong stuff but the blanket hems lay really nice. I love the look of the variegated colors on my hems and I have purchased other colors of it for my next three blankets.