One Light HAED (57 skeins of black)

[debupnorth]

After collecting various charts over the years, I finally took the plunge & started my first HAED on Jan 24, 2012!
I picked this one because I really like James C. Christensen's work & because it looked like it wouldn't have a lot of confetti stitching. What it does have is a LOT of solid black stitching!! I figured I could handle stitching with black a lot easier than I could handle stitching on black ! It is slow going because of the effort to get the threaded needle thru, especially in the single stitch or row areas. I tried using a DMC 28, but it felt like it was splitting the threads so I went back to my John James 26; I'll have to see if I can find a JJ 28 & try that out.
Anyway, here's what it should look like...
One Light

...and here's my progress so far, grids are 20 instead of 10 and I've started at the bottom left of the chart.

[Busy_B]

Great start! That is definitely a lot of black! I'm doing 2 over 1 tent stitch on 28 ct with mine, and I use the John James 28 petite needles. They work well for me. Hope you find a needle that works!

[SusanF]

Great start - the coverage looks very good

[Rose]

That looks wonderful!!!!!!!

[rcperryls]

great start. I think that is one of the most interesting HAED designs. I am going to really enjoy your updates.
I've tried a few different 28 needles. The DMC's are easiest for me to get, but I like them the least as they seem to bend or break more. I got 2 different makes at 123 Stitch a while ago, but now can't remember what I got, and they have fallen in with the rest of my needles. I have to pay more attention. The 24's which I use on smaller counts (20 and 18) seem to be fine. Hope you find one that works for you.

Carole

[Carole]

Love that design

[Ciors]

I love his designs too! Can't wait to see your progress on this one.

[tiffstitch]

Good luck with all that black! I have one with that many skeins of black as well, Tiger Mates.

[JA Fan]

Very striking design. You've made a great start!

[crafterglen]

I have stitched with Piecemaker needles, I use 26 and 26 short or normal, get them from Nordic Needle in USA and they ship very quickly, I think I got three packets of each about 8 years ago and still have them and I stitch every day? They are lovely to stitch with, very smooth and the eyes do not snap or bend, give those a go, I bet you never look back?
Glen x

[Gemshaw]

What a great start, you are so brave stitching all that black, it would drive me loopy, but you're right I'd rather stitch black, rather than stitch on black!
Cant wait to see this grow!

Gem

[Parksfarm]

Great start! Since you're starting at the bottom, I think I'd be tempted to only stitch an inch or two of the black sky above his head and call it good. I have several charts that I'm planning on doing that with...

[vanessanjf]

That is an awesome deisgn I will be watching this one closely.

[debupnorth]

I have stitched with Piecemaker needles, I use 26 and 26 short or normal, get them from Nordic Needle in USA and they ship very quickly, Glen x

I ordered Piecemaker's in 26 & 28, plus John James 28 from them yesterday - couldn't find anything local. Thanks for the tip!

Since you're starting at the bottom, I think I'd be tempted to only stitch an inch or two of the black sky above his head and call it good.

The thought has crossed my mind, several times!!

[Nachstenliebe]

Very cool design!!! That looks like it is indeed going to be a lot of black
Faith

[Mabel Figworthy]

Great start, and good luck with all the black

[purvislets]

What an interesting project! That is a LOT of black... I wish you the best of luck on it!