How to grid?

[Listessa]

I think I'm a little late in this thread, but I have a question for those of you who grid with fishing line. If you stitch over the line and then pull it out later, won't those stitches be a little more puffed up compared to the other stitches? I think that's the main reason I've avoided using line and just used fabric pencils until now (well okay, it's also because the pencils are a lot faster and easier).

Not at all, it's such a light test weight of line that it doesn't seem to make a bit of difference. I can't find the spools I bought last summer for this, but I want to say they were 4lb test solid line (not the braided or stranded type of stuff). I think if you used something heavier that was rather thick, or something with a texture it might make a difference and puff up the stitches.

I saw this article on about.com about easy count guideline:
http://crossstitch.about.com/od/optiona ... ntguid.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I ordered it, got it yesterday (along with my new lap stand woot!!). Unfortunately, I've been working crazy hours and haven't been able to try it out yet. I did take it out of the package, and it feels like fishing line. It is red, which will probably help make it easy to see. I also like that you just pull out the amount that you need through the side, so it won't get all crazy falling off of the holder (that probably made no sense, but trust me lol.) My only concern is whether it will be easy getting it out, and whether the stitches around it will look ok. I've been gridding with thread, and it does leave a little residue, so I think this will be better.
I'm probably going to test it on this small project I'm doing that has lots of empty space that I normally wouldn't need gridding on (it's my Mario Oiralinde!) - that way I can judge whether to use it on the bigger projects. I'll let you know then!

That stuff is awesome! I saw it advertised in a magazine last year, and ordered some only to discover its greatness. Then I went on a wild goose chase to find a cheaper alternative in a basic fishing line. Long and short of it, you're probably best off just buying this stuff- it was about the same price- and the visibility of the red line is better than anything I could find in a light enough test fishing line.
You'll be able to slide it right out of your patterns, and I can't even tell where it was when I remove it. I did a small test piece with it after I picked it up.


Even before I mounted it, you couldn't tell one bit.

[aundria]

I gridded my piece last night, and I was surprised at how fast it was just gridding with the easy count - i also just got a lapstand, so I could grid two handed, and the line just slips through the fabric so easily! I only had to pull the whole thing through about once a line. It only took about 10 to 15 minutes to grid the whole thing (about 80x70 if I remember correctly - basically one small page). Listessa, I'm with you, I think I'm gonna love this stuff.

[LaurenR]

I use the easy count line linked above. I know its just repackaged fishing line but honestly its only a few dollars.If i remember correctly it was about 6$ for the line. Best money ive spent

I really like how small and compact it is (good to throw in my bag without it unwinding everywhere)

i HATE putting the grid in. I stitch 1 over on 32 count so putting the grid is makes me a little nuts. I always make sure to count everything twice and the stitches are so small. Its completely worth it though as im sure its saved me tons and tons of mistakes.