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I have started another cross-stitch pattern (14ct). Embroidery Floss #5200 is a very prominent color in this pattern. So when I went shopping for floss I noticed that there is a DMC Perel Cotton Ball with the number #5200, is this the same? Reason why I ask is when I looked it up on http://www.herrschners.com" target="_blank different number types (#5, #8, #12) to Perel Cotton Ball. What is this? Is the Perel Cotton Ball the same as the "standard" Embroidery Floss? Doesn't state on website and I don't want to spend $3 on something I can't use. Any response would be appreciated!

5200 is a floss color for the standard DMC embroidery floss sold in skeins (should be available at any store that carries the DMC embroidery floss line). I don't know anything about Perel Cotton Ball, but unless your pattern calls for it specifically, I would order the embroidery floss.

Perhaps someone else on the site can provide more info on Perel Cotton Ball?

What pattern are you stitching?

My son's nursery is forest/woods theme (8 months prego), so I'm doing a buck's head.

Reason why I'm asking is there is more yards in the ball than the floss. Most of the background is this color so price wise it made sense. But if ball is not the same I'll just have to by a lot of the floss.

Perle cotton is not stranded as embroidery floss, so you cannot separate it into strands, also, it is a bit twisted. It is used, e.g. for Hardanger embroidery.

I would say if you don't mind a bit bulky stitching, go for it. When I first started, I used perle cotton just because I had a lot of left from my mum, and it was traditionally used in Hungary (although it wasn't DMC and it turned out to be not colourfast but that's another story).

I think on 14 count # 8 works OK, but gives a bit different texture than stranded cotton. I am not sure about the numbers of colours, if they are the same or not but you can compare that in the shop.

Remember that you can't split the perle cotton, so if you were using two strands of ordinary embroidery floss, it works out at three times as long as the actual length of the skein.

Perle cotton has different "weights" or thicknesses (#5 thickest, #8, #12 thinnest) - like has been previously mentioned, it's not stranded, and I don't know what the comparability is as far as strand thickness compared to embroidery floss. I would imagine that if you wanted to substitute, it would be easiest to see it in person to make a comparison to see what the best option is (likely #12).

ok i found if iam doing a large piece say and black dmc is main colour i do buy a cone of dmc thread that way it does work out a lot cheaper just a thought
at the moment i just have black . white . ecru . and B5200 on a cone i just wind what i need onto a bobbin

I heard that there are just DMC Cotton Ball in stores - package does not say Perel on it - (which I know is what embroidery floss is made of) but is it the same as Embroidery floss. What's confusing is the numbers are all the same. I thought if it was a different type of thread/floss it would have a different number.

The 5200 is the colour number-not like a model number. Dye lots may vary though but they should match up ok as far as colour-of course it might be obvious that it is a different thread type than say the floss or what have you.

Perle (or pearl) cotton comes in various thicknesses, the ones used most in counted thread work are #12, which is about the thickness of a single strand of stranded cotton, #8 (2-3 strands), and #5 (six strands, i.e. the whole thread). You would think that #12 can therefore be used instead of stranded cotton, but bear in mind that the texture will be different -- it is more twisted and shinier. If you don't mind that or if it would even enhance the design to have a shinier, more textured white, go for it

Thanks to all that replied. I went to Michaels yesterday and I saw what all of you meant with the Perel thread. To me the #12 was the thickness of two strands of Embroidery floss and it doesn't have as a smooth, soft feel as the floss. I picked some up anyway to play around with. I also do scrapbooking and a lot of times I embroidery on my pages so I thought I would be fun to, at least use the perel for that. Thanks again for all your help!