Crane in Winter

[CuriousKitty]

Little in-betweener project before I really sink into my next big one!

This is stitched on 32ct Opal Lugana from Mystic Hand Dyed Fabrics (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2978805 ... SEARCH_BOX)
It's a pattern from "Oriental Cross Stitch" by Debbie Minton published in 1999.

I'm a little peeved at how much she likes to use 3/4 and 1/4 stitches paired together, but I'm through the worst of it so I suppose I'll get over it.



I like to add a color story before I start because you always need a little Instagram fodder


And now, chicken legs are activated, and you can very clearly see on the bent leg the sheer fractional frustration. I almost threw the book across the room, not going to lie.

[richardandtracy]

That looks interesting. I do love Japanese style pictures, and you've made a good start.

As for the fractional stitches.. Annoying. You could consider taking a slightly different approach. Where fractional stitches are specified, change from full crosses at 14-ish count skipping one fabric hole to tent stitches at 28-ish count, skipping no holes. That would look OK if the picture is mounted behind glass when done, otherwise it might look a bit odd. It's one response to the number of fractional stitches, but maybe not the best.

Regards,

Richard.

[Squirrel]

Thankfully you have survived it to make a brilliant start on this gorgeous one.

[CuriousKitty]

That looks interesting. I do love Japanese style pictures, and you've made a good start.

As for the fractional stitches.. Annoying. You could consider taking a slightly different approach. Where fractional stitches are specified, change from full crosses at 14-ish count skipping one fabric hole to tent stitches at 28-ish count, skipping no holes. That would look OK if the picture is mounted behind glass when done, otherwise it might look a bit odd. It's one response to the number of fractional stitches, but maybe not the best.

Regards,

Richard.

I originally started by adjusting to halves as I went then realized I "adjusted" myself out of the graph and couldn't accurately follow the pattern anymore. I have a handle now on what she wants out of it, but it was sure annoying. There was LOTS of going on when I was fixing it.

[karen4bells]

How frustrating with so many fractional stitches but this really is a very nice project!! Looking great so far!!

[Serinde]

Nice design. I remember that designers were all for smoothing curves with fractionals back in the day. Wonder if they are still a thing now? I always thought that perhaps they were frustrated free embroiderers and would have probably preferred needle painting or silk shading for which there was only a specialist market?

[poppy]

Not easy but the effect is very good! It is a beautiful and delicate design. Looking forward to the next update...

[CuriousKitty]

Nice design. I remember that designers were all for smoothing curves with fractionals back in the day. Wonder if they are still a thing now? I always thought that perhaps they were frustrated free embroiderers and would have probably preferred needle painting or silk shading for which there was only a specialist market?

That could be? Right now I'm playing "fabric chicken" because I straight up cut this fabric within an inch of the pattern and now it's sliding out of my Q-Snap. So I dug out this really solid plastic hoop to squeeze the edges in to get this corner available!

[Squirrel]

I sure hope the dear old plastic hoop works ok for the rest of the time.

[rcperryls]

Beautiful start. Seems to me, like Seinde said, that fractional stitches used to be in so many of the designs I stitched. You are doing a great job and I am looking forward to your updates.

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

I will put up my hand and admit to using them quite a bit in the few cross stitch designs I've done... perhaps Serinde is right and I was always a frustrated freestyler at heart

It does make for beautifully smooth lines though, and you're doing great with them!

[fccs]

Your crane is going to be beautiful, fractionals and all.

[CuriousKitty]

Thanks so much! I've finished the right hand side, so I'm doing a little bit of backstitching so I don't have to do some hinky fabric holding later

[Squirrel]

Its looing great and a very good idea to do some backstitching as you go.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yes, it can be such a chore when it all comes at the end! (I'll be saying something similar about plunging in my own thread later)

[karen4bells]

Absolutely lovely stitching!! I don't blame you at all on doing the backstitching as you go!! Looks so pretty!!!

[CuriousKitty]

I'm smacking myself a little over the head on this because I had a soft white-blue variegated silk that would have been amazing for snow and I totally forgot I owned it. Oh well!

[Squirrel]

That happens at times to all of us. I was hunting for a particular thread recently and discovered a small box full of all sorts of unusual floss which I had totally forgotten about.
I agree the variegated silk would have looked lovely for the snow but what you have there is lovely too. A good update

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yup, I think we've all been there! Fortunately the white version look suitably snowy and cold as well.

[rcperryls]

Your piece is looking beautiful and forgetting about stash you could have used is a fairly common trait, I think. This is looking lovely!

Carole