Pepper Pot Silk is one of the most widely used silk needlepoint threads on the market. It is a 100% silk, non-strandable thread that comes off the skein ready to stitch with no plying needed.
Tilli Tomas, the manufacturer, describes it as a product "known by almost all stitchers" for its versatility, strong colors, and smooth handling.
Rittenhouse carries the full Pepper Pot range: 270 solid colors in 30-yard skeins.
Despite being most commonly associated with 18-mesh needlepoint, Pepper Pot Silk works across four canvas counts. On 13-mesh it covers 20 square inches per skein in basketweave, 19 on 14-mesh, 17 on 16-mesh, medium coverage on 13 and 14-mesh, and 15 on 18-mesh.
In thickness, it runs about the same as Pearl Cotton #5, making it a practical reference point for stitchers transitioning from cotton thread. At 18-mesh and 1-ply off the skein, no thread manipulation is needed. For finer mesh work or specialty stitches that need more coverage, you can also use it on 13- and 14-mesh for medium coverage.
The full Planet Earth Fibers thread range, including Planet Earth Silk and Milan for 13 mesh projects, is in the Planet Earth thread collection.
FAQs
What is Pepper Pot Silk thread?
Pepper Pot Silk is a 100% silk thread produced by Planet Earth Fiber, a Tilli Tomas brand. It is non-strandable, meaning it is used off the skein as a single strand with no plying required. It comes in 30-yard skeins in 270 solid colors.
How often does Rittenhouse restock Pepper Pot thread?
Pepper Pot is one of our most popular brands of thread for needlepoint, so because of that we are constantly restocking any threads that have sold out. We get new stock in from Planet Earth regularly, so if you do see an out of stock product, be sure to sign up for the restock notifications.
What mesh count is Pepper Pot Silk thread designed for?
Pepper Pot Silk is suitable for 18-, 16-, 14-, and 13-mesh canvas. It is most commonly used at 18 mesh, where 1 ply off the skein provides full coverage.
How does Pepper Pot Silk compare to Pearl Cotton #5?
Pepper Pot Silk is approximately the same thickness as Pearl Cotton #5. For stitchers who work primarily with cotton thread, this comparison gives a useful starting point for estimating coverage and thread weight before switching to silk.
How many colors does Pepper Pot Silk come in?
The solid line has 270 colors.
Is Pepper Pot Silk the same as Planet Earth Silk?
No. They are two separate lines from the same manufacturer, Planet Earth Fiber by Tilli Tomas. Planet Earth Silk has 217 colors and is designed specifically for 13- and 12-mesh. Pepper Pot Silk has 270 solid colors and is designed for use across 13-, 14-, 16-, and 18-mesh.
Can Pepper Pot Silk be used for embroidery?
Yes. Tilli Tomas lists Pepper Pot Silk as suitable for 18, 16, 14, and 13 mesh as well as embroidery and crazy quilting, noting its versatility across project types.
