What's your favourite count of fabric to work on?

[TheOtherDrew]

I seem to prefer 14 ct aida. I also like both 11 ct & 16 ct. The 11 ct because of how quickly even a fairly large design seems to appear & 16 ct for the additional detail. I've noticed quite a few of you seem to prefer much higher count (18, 22, 28, more?) So I decided to post a poll.

[Allyn]

It all depends on what I'm doing. For samplers and other 'traditional' pieces, I like to use 32-count if I can or 28 count if the count makes the overall size better (like if I want the finished piece to be just a little bit bigger).

For solid-stitched pieces, alot depends on what size I want the finished piece to be. I don't want to go lower than 18-count aida -- 20 or 22 count is better. If size doesn't matter, I'll go with 25 count over-1 (which isn't even in the poll list). If I want it really small, 40-count over-1 is doable. I probably haven't used anything lower than 18 count in a couple of decades; I like small stitches.

Sorry, I didn't do the poll. There are too many factors involved to pick just one count.

[LadyS]

Hmmm, the one I find the easiest is 14 ct, or 28 ct over 2 if the design calls for a finer fabric. Anything higher than 32 drives me nuts.

[fccs]

I voted for 28 but I also love 32 and 18. For me it all depends on the design.

[karen4bells]

I almost always prefer 32 ct linen but also enjoy 16 or 18 ct aida. Having said that, I will stitch on almost any count.

[cairee]

32ct hands down favourite for cross stitch. 2 over 1 tent or 1 over 1 full cross. that said I like 28, 36, 40 and higher as well. Highest Ive used is 48 silk gauze, I want to try 60ct. I like 18ct sometimes, especially for 2 over 1 with blends

I dont like 16ct and lower at all. and I dont like 25ct for cross stitch, but for Hardanger its my go-to fabric

[richardandtracy]

Don't know. Not enough experience.

Prior to coming here I thought 18ct was unbelievably tiny and had only used 14ct. Now I have used 32ct linen (2 over 2), 28ct and 25ct (both 2 over 1 tent), but that is the limit of my experience. Not enough to have formed a strong preference; Except that I don't want to go back to 14ct or coarser.

Regards,

Richard.

[Mabel Figworthy]

For Hardanger, 25ct which is not in your list
Otherwise, whatever suits the project I'm working on, which could be anything from 14ct to 60ct to non-count

[Serinde]

Yeah, I clicked 24ct to stand in for 25ct. For hardanger and even regular cross-stitching. I do use a lot of 22ct and 28ct as well, and even 14 Aida from time to time; I can just about see to stitch on 36ct. Depends what I want to achieve, of course. Thank goodness for the variety!

[lavenderbee]

I like 14 for ease of stitching, & have done most on that size, but 18 makes a nicer finished picture although not as easy to stitch. So I've chosen 16 as it is in between, closer stitch than 14 but still gives a nice finish. Have only done 2 on 18 ct but several on 16.

[wendywombat]

I like 28 count evenweave, 2 over2 I know that 14 count Aida gives the same size result , but I hate 14 count Aida It's too 'chunky' If a kit comes with that I change it out for 28 count. Consequently I seem to have a drawer full of 14!!!
finer counts of Aida are fine. 22 is great for Hardanger and I, too, like 25 count for that too.

[Squirrel]

An interesting poll this one. My big favourite was always 28ct evenweave, but with ongoing eyesight problems 18 ct aida is easier to work with. The joys of getting older - one has to change to another favourite almost forgotten fabric.

[rcperryls]

My favorite is 28 ct 2 over 1 tent stitching. For years I stitched on 18ct Afghan fabric and loved it. The smallest I ever stitched on was 32 ct one over one but that was years ago when my eyesight was much better and I didn't know you could stitch over two . I also like 25 ct and 22 count for Hardanger. I don't generally like anything that is less than 18 ct but that may be because I don't like the feel of Aida and I don't know that I have ever seen an evenweave in anything lower than 18 ct Afghan fabric, though I would guess it probably is around somewhere. Extra light and magnifiers have made the larger counts easier to work on.

Carole

[curly sue]

Most of what I have stitched is on 14 aida, although I have done some on 18 count. I've never used an even weave although I do have some in my stash.

[LadyS]

I think it all depends on the design too. Certain patterns ask for different things. I hate trying fractional stitches on Aida, and sometimes you're stitching something simple that you know will go quicker on Aida. I love varying what I'm working on.

My stash is mostly comprised of 14, 16 and 18 ct Aida, and then 25, 28 and 32 ct evenweave.

[seedreemer]

In general I stick to either 18-ct Aida or 32-ct linen, with the Aida being my favorite to stitch on and the linen being my favorite to look at.