Regular crochet cotton in 10 gague works well. It is difficult at times to find all the colours. If you like really bright colours DMC crochet cotton is at most Hobby Lobbys. I use between 6 and 12 strands of each colour and make the ribbons 2- 2 /2 f 1/2 feet long. Some people put gold, black, silver or gold and black between and around the colours. Have fun Lorraine