So, being fairly new to this forum, I have seen a lot of these designs being listed here. I decided to do a search to see what they are all about and I just fell in love with one. It's "The Hermit BaBa" http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8631&zenid=16463ab5733ea352a18916df8d4e3ab0

Sorry if this is a dumb question -- does this come as a kit? Is it a stamped design? A counted cross stitch? I've only ever done counted cross stitch. The biggest one I've ever completed is "Kitty Litter" [ur]lhttp://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-Dimensions-The-Gold-Collection-Kitty-Litter-Cross-Stitch-Kit_290938.htm[/url]. Is tackling a HAED a good idea or am I going to be way in over HEAD? lol!

Thanks!

Very cute design!

HAEDs do not come as kits, just the chart. They are actually not as hard as they appear. All of their designs are counted cross stitch, full stitches only using DMC (and maybe some Kreinik metallic threads depending on the design). So there are not half stitches, blended threads, or speciality stitches to make it complicated. It's all just one little x at a time, just a lot of them . If you want to do one, go for it! You'll get all the support you need here.

If you have any other questions just ask!

mechie

thanks for the reply, Mechie. Would I have to by the threat myself or is it sold with it?

Yes you would have to buy the threads, as haeds are only charts, but just think as it as when you move onto your next 1 ( coz you will) you might not have to buy as much

I see.. so the only thing I am buying is the chart. I would also have to buy the fabric? Where do I even find the fabric?! I'm getting palpitations just thinking about this. Who sells the thread???

hi, don't be scared. there are lots of sites people go to to buy flosses and fabrics.

"123stitch" is very popular, and i like "everything cross stitch" .

if you look below the picture on HAED, it gives you the dimensions of the design on 25ct fabric. you can use a fabric calculator ( available on the aforementioned sites) to get the finished size of the project on other fabric counts. HAED also gives you the floss requirements, so you know what to buy and how much.

like everyone says, keep asking til your sure, and then enjoy what you do.

That is a great chart. I love the charts from the Baba Studio and put them in and take them out of my Wish List all the time, including this one. Depending on where you live there are several different options for buying your thread and fabric. If you have a LNS (local needlework shop or store) near you that is a good place to start because someone there can advise you. There are also large craft shops here and also online shops. I like 123 Stitch a lot as they are quick and have a lot to offer at reasonable prices. As everyone has said HAEDs seem daunting because they tend to be large but like all charts they are one stitch at a time.

Carole

I live in Toronto. I checked the retailers listed on their website and there doesn't seem to be much in the city itself, which I find strange. How would I know how much of each thread to buy? This is why I like the kits, they make it easy for you! LOL! And then to have to organize all that thread? Oh my goodness. Crazytown!

ETA - I think I just answered my own question -- is the "skein" count the number of flosses one needs for each colour?

As pattibelle said you will see a floss usage chart right underneath the picture of the design you are interested in. You can click on that link even before you buy it and it will give you the number of skeins needed for each color. Make sure that you look at the whole floss usage chart as the first few pages just list the colors. Keep scrolling until you see the pages that tell you how many stitches in that color and how many skeins you will need. When you buy the chart that will be part of the purchase whether you choose to get the chart by a pdf file (that is what I usually do as its faster and I'm impatient) or by snail mail, which they will also do.
I myself don't like kits as I like to do the "kitting" myself but others love kits and do them a lot. Again, it is a matter of individual choice.

Carole

lots of us find the organizing of floss and the winding and storing of bobbins to be part of the fun of the hobby. (stash acquisition 'n all)

i, too, am a kit girl ( in the minority, i think), but i have a couple of charts i've kitted up. it's been an adventure, definately outside my comfort zone! glad i've done it tho. now i can rotate them in between my kits for more variety.

and it isn't a race. there's no hurry to get the chart, or even kit it up right away after you do. take your time doing research. and keep coming here for ideas.

If you mean retailers listed on HAEDs site, that is just the list of retailers that carry HAED charts in their stores. You can get fabric and floss in many other places. If you are looking for DMC (which is what HAED calls for) you can get that at Micheals or JoAnns (do that have that one in Canada?) as well as many places online and just about any needlework shop you may have near by.



Yup! You may need quite a few for some colors, but it really isn't as bad as it sounds.

mechie

Thanks, everyone! It certainly is tempting!! I realized tonight that if I go ahead I will need a proper box to store all this lovely stuff, i.e. my kits floss,bobbins, etc. Hubby says a tackle box would work (a large one) but that's too boyish for me!

Gittas is a needlework shop in Missassuga. Stop by their shop if you are ever in the area and they will answer any question you have, and they have loads and loads of fabrics and threads to choose from. They are a bit more expensive than your craft shop (ie Michaels) but I think their service more than makes up for the difference in price. I was there about 2 years ago and am almost finished working on a little eskimo chart I bought when I was in their shop. (I am a touchy feely shopper- I much prefer to buy from a real store than an internet retailer. Especially when it is something I am not familar with- like fabrics)

Maggie - thank for the info about Gittas. I'll have to check them out one weekend.

I've got another dumb question -- I have only ever done stitching on 14ct Aida fabric. I imagine the 25ct that HAED is stitched on has much smaller (ridiculously smaller) squares, right? Am I going to need reading glasses?! lol!

It is.. much smaller.
14 ct aida is 14 stitches to the inch
25 ct evenweave is 25 stitches to the inch

BUT.. HAEDS, or really any chart, can be stitched on any type of fabric. The chart remains the same, but your finished project will be a different size. And your thread requirements will be different (their given calculations are if stitched over 1 on 25 count). I am not a HAED stitcher- their projects are too much of a time commitment for me. I prefer smaller projects with faster finishes.

My eyesight isn't great (I'm in my 30's, but without my specs, I haven't been able to clearly see the giant E on top of eye charts since about 7th grade) 25 ct fabric does have tiny holes but as long as I have a contrasting fabric across my lap (either a white dish towel or a dark blue pillow case) I haven't had any trouble with it.

I am doing HAED charts on 18 ct afghan fabric, 22 ct Hardanger and 25 ct evenweave. We have forum members and there are many on the HAED BB (Bulletin Board ) who do the charts on 18, 16 or 14 count Aida as well as on 28 and higher count fabrics also. I am doing 2 strands on the 25 ct and 18 ct fabrics, but using only 1 strand on the 22 ct and actually like that one the best. I did one only doing tent (1/2 stitch) and we have quite a few members who do that also. Do whatever seems most comfortable for you or else its not fun.

Carole

You may want to try downloading a freebie HAED chart, just to get a feel of what the chart you are purchasing will look like. I am stitching the freebie bunny chart and I love it!
There's a UK cross stitch site that will ship you small fabric samples so you can see if it is feasible for you to stitch on 25 ct.
http://www.cross-stitch-heaven.co.uk/evenweavelinen-sample-pack-4497-p.asp

Everyone's advice is excellent as always - there is ALOT of information on the forum already about HAEDs, fabric choices, thread choices et etc. I would say take a deep breath and take your time doing your research. These designs take a long time to stitch if you choose to do a full size design (which can be anything up to 250,000+ stitches). HAED also do Quick Stitches (which are anything from 20,000+ stitches) or Story Keeps (12,500+ stitches) and there is lots of choice! Marniecat's suggestion is a good one - if you dowload a freebie chart here you'll be able to see if you can cope with the charts. It is worth testing fabrics to see which ones you find the easiest to stitch on - HAEDs can be stitched on everything from 14ct Aida to 40ct linen. Never be afraid to ask questions - but be warned there is never a right answer, all stitchers are different and the right answer is always doing what is best for you!

I appreciate all the advice, thank you! Even though I've been doing this for 10 years I have never veered off from kits. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the biggest project I've done is about 60,000+ stitches on 14 ct fabric. When I told my husband that this HAED project was over 140,000 stitches he said, "it'll take you 3 years to finish that!". (I finished the 60,000 stitch pattern in 19 months).

Oh, and the other reason why I am suddenly DYING to do this particular project is because the cat in question, Hermit Baba, is a dead ringer for my Scully --

Great reason to do this one. and my it does look like your Scully with a purple robe. The faces are almost identical.

I think what matters as has been said over and over is stitching what you love, no matter how long it takes. The sooner you start, the sooner you will see a finish. If it is important to you to have some finished pieces then you might think about putting smaller projects in a rotation. also a good idea so you don't get bored with a bigger project. I found I didn't want to stop stitching on my Tabbies project but also wanted to move on to the next one and now I have an older one crying for attention. Hope this makes sense. I am very much looking forward to seeing you stitch this one so if you think I am suggesting it would be a good thing to do, you are right. Enabling is something that we do very well on the forum.

Carole