These 20 meter sashiko thread skeins are imported from Japan and are made by the Olympus company that has been manufacturing quality sashiko products in Japan for decades.
Sashiko thread is not stranded like embroidery thread, you use the whole thread for your stitching. Just cut it into a comfortable length, thread your needle, and stitch. This thread has a soft matt finish and is about the weight of #5 perle cotton.
All sashiko thread is machine washable. Olympus sashiko threads get prettier with washing as it plumps up like little grains of rice.
A note for new stitchers: Sashiko thread is fat so as you stitch you are adding a lot of extra between the threads of your fabric. This is going to cause the fabric to tighten up and be unable to lay flat unless you leave some slack in the sashiko thread as you stitch. I do this by leaving about a quarter inch of slack in my thread on the back of the fabric every 4 inches if stitching straight long lines, or whenever I turn a corner on designs with shorter lines.
