After the overwhelming requests from customers for pearl cotton #8, I made an extensive search and found Finca pearl cotton #8 from Presencia in Spain to be the best choice.  I thought all pearl cotton #8 thread was about the same until I tried Finca Pearl Cotton #8.   I crocheted a little bag using Finca and also the same size bags using other pearl cotton #8 threads.  Then I compared them.  The Finca thread is smoother, has a higher sheen and appears to be a tighter ply, making it stronger than the other cottons.  All cotton fibers become softer as they are handled and washed.  Since Finca is a tighter plied fiber, it will not stretch as much as other cotton #8 threads and holds its resilience longer.  Finca feels good to the touch and does not separate when using a crochet hook. 

You can use Finca for all the same purposes you were using other pearl cotton #8 threads.  I will be using Finca in small pin weavings and tapestries, braiding and many other techniques.  I will use Finca for thread crochet and knitting and some bead crochet and knitting where smaller amounts of beads are added.  When it comes to crochet or knitting with beads, cotton is not strong enough for larger heavily beaded items such as all beaded bags and very long ropes.  The weight will make the items stretch over time no matter what cotton you use.  If you are making anything larger than an amulet bag composed of all bead coverage, check YLI Jean Stitch thread, 100% polyester.  I use Jean Stitch extensively for heavily beaded crochet and knit items.     

Presencia has provided a conversion chart of Finca colors to DMC and Anchor.  This way you can match up Finca colors with DMC or Anchor thread you already have or find an equivalent in Finca that you can no longer find in the other brands.

At one time you could find pearl cotton #8 in a full line of colors at various local embroidery and cross-stitch stores.  Unfortunately, many of those stores went out of business or stopped carrying a full line of colors.  The only pearl cotton #8 threads you find at craft stores are a black and white.  There is nothing worse than beginning a project and not being able to finish because you can’t find a supplier.

 I carry the full line of Finca pearl cotton #8:  122 solid colors and 33 variegated colors.   This full line of colors allows you to start a project with a darker color such as 3670, a dark teal, then change to variegated 9770 that includes the same teal color, then finish with a light color, 4048, which is a light soft green.  These three colors match up beautifully.  If you want help with a color combo, just email me.