Fabric size

[mimers]

Hello everyone --- so in a previous post I mentioned how I am considering purchasing a HAED - "Hermit Baba". The website says 25ct fabric and it's finished size is 12 x 19 3/4 in. Michelle emailed me back regarding a question then told me she recommended I use 16 ct or 18 ct. ??? Now I'm really confused. If that's the case, then why on the website does it say 25ct? And if I were to use 16 ct fabric, how much bigger does the fabric need to be??

I'm so confused.

[rcperryls]

Just about all the HAED charts recommend 25 ct and doing 2 over 1 crosses. I think probably because for most stitchers that keeps the pattern at a reasonable size. But many do 18 and 16 ct and use Aida rather than an evenweave or linen. I think I mentioned that I have some on 25ct, 22 ct and 18 ct. The only difference is the final size. This Cross Stitch Calculator will help you figure out what size fabric you will need for different counts. Just put in the stitches for h and w, make sure that you add inches on the sides (usually 3 ) and it will calculate for you what you will need. This is only one of several calculators on the internet.
An HAED chart is really not different from any others except maybe larger than most, but certainly not all. Actually since there isn't any BS, fractionals or blended threads, in a lot of ways it is not as hard to stitch.

Carole

[mimers]

Thanks, Carole! Michelle did send me the cross stitch calculator so that was extremely helpful. And I did notice that there is no backstitching or half crosses, blended threads so that's a nice change for me.

What do you mean by 2 over 1 crosses? Oh, and for a pattern as dark as Hermit Baba, is it better to use black aida or is white okay?

[JazzeyBear]

Go ahead and jump in! HAEDs are scary at first but are like any other cross stitching kit/chart minus all the back stitching, blended threads and half stitches. 2 over 1 simply means two threads over one line on the fabric (four holes for the one cross). My opinion on black fabric is that it's a pain to see all the holes, and difficult to work with if you're not use to working with such a dark fabric.

[BookNerd]

Go ahead and jump in! HAEDs are scary at first but are like any other cross stitching kit/chart minus all the back stitching, blended threads and half stitches. 2 over 1 simply means two threads over one line on the fabric (four holes for the one cross). My opinion on black fabric is that it's a pain to see all the holes, and difficult to work with if you're not use to working with such a dark fabric.

Agreed & agreed.

Black fabric can be a good choice for certain patterns, but I wouldn't recommend it for a HAED. Black is difficult to stitch on, unless you use some aids such as a white towel on your lap, stitching with natural light, or having a light shine behind the fabric.

HAED patterns are a bit daunting, but they are so fun & rewarding. I'm currently working on 2, which are my first HAED's.