Fractionals, not halves - pictures please

[Mystonique]

The designs I've worked on up until now provide specific instructions on how to complete the stitch be it: full, half or quarter (never done 3/4).

But I'm working on a Mirabilia now and no such instructions are provided. I have my own ideas about how but I thought maybe someone had better ideas than me! I've done a search to no avail.

The chart is clearly indicating a quarter stitch.
So there is a square with a big "=" symbol indicating a full cross of that colour.
Then next to it is a square with a quarter sized "=" in the top right hand corner -indicating to me that I complete a quarter stitch of that colour.

So how does everyone do their 1/4 and 3/4 stitches? I'm working on linen so I don't have to pierce the fabric. Pictures would be greatfully accepted.

[kimkat_tkl]

When I'm doing fractionals I tend to do the 'quarter' section of the fractional first then if it is a three quarter do the 'half' over the top. I've added a picture of my fractionals below. The black arrows point to quarter stitches (the 3/4 stitches were added later) and the blue arrows point to 3/4 stitches. (Click on the thumbnail to see my very bad attempt at drawing arrows in photobucket! )

[MaudL]

Are you absolutely sure it's a quarter stitch and not 3/4?
On all the charts that I have seen when there is a smaller symbol in a corner of the square it indicates a 3/4 stitch, and that particular corner indicates in which direction the stitch should be.
Not sure if I'm making myself clear...

[LadyS]

Here's the difference between them.



And an actual picture of them on linen.



Most of the time, if a pattern shows two symbols in the same square with a diagonal between them (a lot of time you'll have backstitching in that diagonal), it's a quarter stitch, but if one half of the stitch is bordering a solid color area where no backstitching would go between, it could mean a 3/4 stitch would be appropriate, like this.

[MaudL]

Oh thanks Laura, that is very helpful. All that time I've been doing two 3/4 stitches in the same square!
It looks fine but it sure was a pain in the derriere, lol!

[Arianwen]

Oh thanks Laura, that is very helpful. All that time I've been doing two 3/4 stitches in the same square!
It looks fine but it sure was a pain in the derriere, lol!

hehe I've been doing this on my current WIP too!

I think for this project it looks better cause the colours are so vivid and the shading is so subtle.

I tend to do whatever feels right at the time of doing the project/stitch.

[Mystonique]

You may be right. I'm not sure at all. The picture sine big enough for me to see what's been done. It is at the edge of the stitching, where it will be backstitched.

[LadyS]

At the edge where backstitch will cover the 3/4 stitch anyway I'd go with a regular quarter stitch only.

And although I can't remember seeing a pattern calling for it specifically, I'm sure two 3/4 stitches facing each other look great in some projects, if both areas need that edge "boost".

[carolanne]

This has been a good discussion. The pictures were useful. I think it points up the fact that making your own decisions is never wrong, and there are several ways of getting things done. I just want people to not be put off by something that may look difficult. Just dive in and do it.

[Mystonique]

Everyone's input has helped significantly. I've worked out 3/4 stitches are going to look best. The daunting bit is always working out what will work so much easier with good advice