Tutorial: Using the Floss Calculator
1. To get to the floss calculator, look under the Goodies tab. Or, when you are on a pattern page, look on the left for a button that says Get floss requirements.
2.
Start by telling us the thread count of the fabric you will use. 18-count is the default but you can
change it to whatever you plan to use.
3.
The next item is how you'll stitch: over 1 thread or over 2 threads. When you stitch "over 1", each stitch crosses one intersection of threads. When you stitch "over 2", each stitch goes over two intersections of threads. If you are using aida, this should be a 1. If you're using linen or an evenweave, this will normally be 2, but it is possible to stitch over 1 as well.
4.
Next, fill in the pattern code (or follow the link to the fabric calculator from the pattern page. You must give a valid Scarlet Quince pattern code.
5.
Now tell us the units (inches or centimeters) in which you want the floss requirements given. The default is inches.
6.
Finally, select the number of threads you will have in your needle at one time. Most of the time, this will be 2 (1 thread of each color for blends). 1 thread in the needle means that you make one leg of the cross with a single thread of one color and then come back and complete the cross with a single thread of the other color. This will only apply if you are using such a high thread count fabric that there isn't room for two threads in the needle. If you're stitching on canvas, you may need 4 or 6 threads.
7.
Click the "Calculate" button and a list of floss requirements is displayed in order by DMC color number. The floss amounts are approximate. The amounts reported are:
| English | Metric | |
| < 1 foot | < 25 cm | |
| 2 feet | 50 cm | |
| 1 yard | 1 m | |
| 2 yards | 2 m | |
| 3 yards | 3 m | |
| 1/2 skein (4.4 yards) | 1/2 skein (2 m) | |
| 3/4 skein (6.5 yards) | 3/4 skein (6 m) | |
| 1 skein (8.7 yards) | 1 skein (8 m) | |
| multiple skeins | multiple skeins |
If the amount required is between two points it is rounded up to the next amount. So if the amount needed is 5/8 skein, the requirements would say 3/4 skein. If the amount needed is 1 1/2 skeins, the requirements would say 2 skeins.
The amounts less than one skein allow you, if you already have some floss, to decide if you have enough on hand of that particular color. They are always for 6 strands. If the quantity is less than 1 foot, for example, since you wouldn't normally cut your floss that short, it is equivalent to a 2-foot length of 3 strands, or a 6-foot length of one strand.
The quantities are always for cross stitch. If you are going to do a needlepoint stitch (tent or basket stitch), you'll only need 60-70% of the amounts we give.
Bravo! Thank you so much for providing the pinhead stitch diagrams for beginning and ending threads! Online tutorial videos are great except when you are sitting in your favorite stitching chair away from your computer screen!
