Great tips and interesting things to look into

[Mary C]

Since I'm new at looking around this forum I have discovered some things I don't really understand but intend on researching to find out more. One is the "grid" way of stitching. I just count and it seems to work for me and I know others say they count, too. However, I'm always willing to try new ways of doing things. The other thing I'm trying to wrap my head around is "parking". Have no idea how you would do that. Does it keep you from having to keep from changing thread colors? I'm so excited about this forum--I plan on learning so much so THANK YOU everyone.

[CayenneCat]

Welcome Mary!

I've just started gridding and parking, and I also had to do research to figure them out.

The best place I've found is the Heaven and Earth Designs bulletin board (HAED BB) - http://heavenandearthdesigns.yuku.com/directory" target="_blank

You have to join Yuku, then request to join the HAED BB, but I think it's worth it.

I'm using gridding as a double-check that I'm putting the stitch in the right place. I'm lousy and counting, so I need the help. Gridding helps with larger designs, and if you want to "jump around" with what you stitch for the design.

I'm using parking on my HAED. There are so many different color threads used right next to each other that it's easier to "park" the threads and switch colors.

Hope that helps!

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

There are lots of new things to learn on the forum, but not everything suits everyone. Sometimes it depends on the type of projects you stitch and different projects require different methods. I'm a gridder when it comes to HAEDs (helpful if you are planning on stitching a 200,000+ stitch design), but it wasn't until recently that I started parking. I'd always thought that parking would be too confusing, but one day as I was stitching on a HAED QS it just kind of clicked and I haven't looked back! The HAED BB is a great place for hints and tips if you like big full coverage, full cross designs - but those aren't the be all and end all of stitching. The great thing about this forum is that there is such a broad variety of designs being stitched - we are ALL great enablers, you have been warned !

[Solitaire]

I never knew it was called parking

[BizzieLizzie]

I'm glad you're enjoying the forum and learning new things to help with your stitching! We're always happy to share ideas on here!

I don't grid but I love parking and find that because I'm working in 10 stitch wide blocks, gridding isn't really necessary for me as I'm not counting any higher than 10. This is the parking method I use: http://www.scarletquince.com/parking.php" target="_blank. I've tried different ways of parking but for me this is the best because it avoids the situation where you have to bring the needle up through a hole that is already occupied by more than one other stitch, which can result in the existing stitches being pulled up and looking untidy.