Kreinik metallic thread color chart

Browse 184 Kreinik metallic thread colors — across Blending Filament, Very Fine #4 Braid, Fine #8 Braid, and larger sizes. See which sizes each color comes in, filter by finish type (standard, Hi Lustre, Vintage), and track what you own. Kreinik is the industry standard for metallic threads in cross stitch, needlepoint, and embroidery.

Kreinik color chart

Use the chart below to browse all Kreinik metallic thread colors. Each color shows its code, name, available finish types, and which thread sizes it comes in.

Kreinik color codes use a number followed by an optional suffix: plain numbers are standard finish, HL is Hi Lustre, V is Vintage, and F was glow-in-the-dark (discontinued). The same base number in different finishes (like 002 vs 002HL) are related but distinct colors.

Kreinik thread sizes — which one do you need?

Choosing the right Kreinik size depends on your fabric count and technique. Here's the quick reference:

Blending Filament — Ultra-thin single strand. Combine with cotton floss to add subtle sparkle. Works on any fabric count, in any stitch. The most versatile starting point if you're new to metallics. Blending Filament is designed to pair with cotton floss — one strand of filament alongside one or two strands of DMC, Anchor, or Cosmo creates subtle sparkle without overpowering the base color.

Very Fine #4 Braid — The most popular size for cross stitch. Equivalent to roughly 2 strands of cotton floss. Works on 14–18 count Aida and over two threads on 28–32 count linen. This is what most cross stitch patterns mean when they specify Kreinik.

Fine #8 Braid — Slightly thicker. Best on 14-count Aida and 18-mesh needlepoint canvas. Use this when you want the metallic to be more prominent than #4.

Tapestry #12 Braid — For 12-count fabrics and needlepoint canvas. Popular with needlepointers.

Medium #16, Canvas #24, Heavy #32 — Progressively thicker for lower-count fabrics, plastic canvas, and specialty techniques. Less commonly used in cross stitch.

Cord — A single twisted strand, thinner than #4 Braid. Popular for backstitching and couching where you want a fine metallic line.

Don't try to separate Kreinik braids into individual strands — they're braided together by design, not divisible like cotton floss.

Track your Kreinik collection

Use "I own this" to mark colors you have. It saves in your browser — no account needed. Useful for keeping track of which colors you have in which sizes — Kreinik's product line is wide enough that an inventory tracker is genuinely helpful.

About Kreinik

Kreinik is a family-owned thread manufacturer based in Parkersburg, West Virginia, producing metallic threads since the 1970s. The company was founded by Jerry and Estelle Kreinik to fill a gap in the market for affordable, easy-to-care-for metallic embroidery threads (the original brand name was Balger — you'll still see this in older patterns).

Kreinik threads are used across cross stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, quilting, fly fishing (fly tying), costume design, and mixed media art. Their threads have appeared in film and television costume work, including the embroidery on Game of Thrones costumes.

The product range is broad: metallic braids in seven sizes, Blending Filament in standard and specialty finishes, metallic cord, Japan threads (which resemble real metal threads), ribbons in multiple widths, Facets (a bead-like yarn for couching), and Ombre (a carry-along yarn for knitting and crochet). For cross stitch, the three most relevant products are Blending Filament, Very Fine #4 Braid, and Fine #8 Braid.

Among cross stitchers, Kreinik has earned a reputation as the metallic thread that's actually pleasant to work with. While all metallics require adjusted technique (shorter lengths, larger needles, periodic de-twisting), Kreinik braids tend to behave better than flat metallic flosses. The braided construction stays together instead of separating and fraying, which is the main frustration stitchers have with other metallic threads like DMC Light Effects.

Some designers specify Kreinik alongside hand-dyed cottons like Weeks Dye Works for projects that mix metallic accents with overdyed shading — holiday samplers and ornaments are especially common.

Related tools

• Kreinik → DMC conversion — Match every color to its closest DMC equivalent, and back
• DMC color chart — Browse all 489 DMC embroidery floss colors
• Anchor color chart — Browse all 446 Anchor stranded cotton colors
• Cosmo color chart — Browse all 500 Cosmo embroidery floss colors
• Calculate fabric & finished size — Works for Aida, evenweave, and linen
• Photo to cross stitch converter — See exactly what you'll stitch before you buy thread
• Cross stitch pattern maker — Design original patterns from scratch