Some threads are made to blend in. Nishikiito is made to catch the light.
COSMO® Nishikiito® is a Japanese-made metallic embroidery thread whose roots lie in Kyoto's kimono gold-thread (kinshi) tradition. That heritage carries into a thread built for modern hand embroidery—one that adds shimmer, depth, and a quiet sense of occasion to whatever you stitch.
What Is Nishikiito?
What makes it special
Nishikiito (にしきいと) takes its name from nishiki, the luxurious brocade woven with gold and silver threads in traditional Japanese dress. COSMO reimagined that centuries-old craft as an accessible metallic embroidery thread, made in Japan and neatly wound on compact spools.
It's a specialty accent thread rather than an everyday floss. Sometimes only a few stitches are enough to transform an entire design.
- Heritage rooted in Kyoto's gold-thread kimono craft
- Five distinctive finishes, each reflecting light differently
- 48 colors—from soft pastels to vivid fluorescents and rich jewel tones
- Compact spools (approx. 20 m each) for easy storage
- Made in Japan
Five Finishes, Five Distinctive Expressions
Every metallic finish reflects light differently. Choosing the right one is less about quality and more about the visual effect you want—quiet shimmer or bold sparkle, shifting color or vivid neon.
- Nishiki — refined, understated sheen. The most traditional finish, with a calm metallic glow suited to tatting, tassels, and embroidery accents. 18 colors.
- Mirror — brilliant, high-impact sparkle. The brightest finish in the collection, designed to stand out in cross stitch and dense stitching. 6 colors.
- Iridescent — soft, shifting color. Semi-transparent film creates opal-like reflections that change with the viewing angle. 12 colors.
- Champagni — gentle pastel shimmer. Fine sparkles scattered through soft tones, with a silky cupro-blend hand that feels smooth during extended stitching. 6 colors.
- Neoni — vivid fluorescent intensity. Maximum visibility even in small amounts; ultra-fine strands can be combined freely to adjust weight. 6 colors.
A Little Sparkle Goes a Long Way
Best for
Because Nishikiito catches light so readily, a little goes a long way. Use it as an accent—the frost on a snowflake, the shimmer on a festive ornament, or the flourish on decorative lettering. COSMO's Sparkling Japanese Seasons cross-stitch kits are a good example: gold Nishikiito adds the finishing sparkle to seasonal motifs without overwhelming the cotton palette.
It pairs naturally with COSMO No. 25 embroidery floss in cross stitch and surface embroidery, layered wherever you want a metallic highlight. Several finishes are very fine, so you can combine strands to adjust weight and intensity to suit your project.
- Metallic highlights in cross stitch and freestyle embroidery
- Seasonal and festive motifs—stars, snow, ornaments, holiday designs
- Decorative lettering, monograms, and borders
- Tatting lace and tassels
Add a Little Light
Whether you're finishing a keepsake, dressing up a holiday ornament, or simply love the way light moves across a stitch, Nishikiito is a small luxury that makes a visible difference.
Five finishes, 48 colors, one philosophy: sometimes all it takes is a thread or two to bring a whole design to life.
