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I was thinking of giving canvas work a try since I love working with a variety of stitches. However, some patterns seem to call for pearl cotton, which I know my local Michael's carries but I have a rather large stash of floss. Can one use floss in the place of pearl cotton or is it not recommended?
Thank you.

I've not done any canvas work. But one thing with pearls is the twist and sheen of the fiber. I don't think you would get that with floss. Pearls stay round where I think floss would flatten out. Unlike floss you don't separate pearls- you use as is from the spool.

Good luck with a new technique. And welcome to the Forum

Welcome and good luck trying out a new kind of needlework!
I know some designers use stranded silk (like Caron Waterlilies) for canvas work, so it is possible, but as Maggie point out the effect would be quite different -- the strands would flatten out and have a different texture and sheen from perle cotton. You could try a small project using your cottons and see whether you like the look of it. If not, oh dear, you will have to buy more stash....

YES! I often do. Althought the pearl can look great too. If you are going to substitute though you should use 6 strands of regular cotton (floss). Be sure to separate the strands (like you normally do) and then put them back together again otherwise it will look funny.