Tips when there are lots of symbols?

[annamarie23]

My Calligraphy chart has lots of confetti which I'm working on now but there are so many symbols that it's making it hard to follow/read. I've been marking off every stitch on my chart as I go along. Any tips that may help?

[rcperryls]

Sometimes enlarging either the chart with the symbols or the chart itself can help. If you have a printer that enlarges or if you can scan it into your computer and enlarge it (for your own working copy) that might help. The charts I have the most trouble with now are my HAEDs and I load them into my iPad so I can enlarge them if needed. When I was doing a lot of Teresa Wentzler Charts I used (still use) magnetic chart holders and this Line Magnifier. That helps in determining subtle differences between symbols. The tricky part for me is arrows going in all directions with each direction a different shade, < and > symbols etc. And as much diligence as possible. In the end these are all worth it but can definitely be a strain on the eyes.

Carole

[nachosmiley]

You could always try and highlight the symbol you are working with one colour and then colour over it with another when done....I use pencil crayons to mark off my chart...they are much cheaper than highlighters, last much longer and a set comes with more colours too!

I don't personally do that as I just want to stitch and sometimes I do find I have missed one or two stitches but because I park my threads too it's not usually that much of a pain to go back and fill in...unless of course I have tied off the thread!

[JazzeyBear]

I tend to highlight the symbol I'm working on in yellow and than use any color color pencil to color it in. When I'm working in 10 x 10 blocks I don't highlight it takes away from my stitchy time. I usually highlight if I'm working on the entire page at once.

[xstitchsoprano]

Whenever I have black and white charts, I color in some of the symbols with different colored pencils so I can see the differences easier. I end up coloring in about 75% of the symbols. The symbols that stand out and are very different from the others, I won't color. It takes a long time to do but it's so worth it!

[annamarie23]

Thank you all so much for your advice. Sounds good to me! I had thought of colouring in some of the symbols so it sounds like a way forward with this tricky bit.

Carole - I like the line magnifier but the idea of putting the chart on my ipad is a good one too.

Anna-Marie x

[annastasia76]

I use a small post it note to keep track of my stitching, I have used it when both parking and cross country stitching, it helps me to keep track of what row I am on and since it's small it helps me keep track of what section in that row I am on.

[MaggieM1750]

Whenever I have a particularly confetti heavy area, I will enlarge the pattern slightly and use colored pencils as others have suggested to color in certain symbols. I prefer a pencil to a highlighter.. as some highlighters will remove printing, or smudge it.

(someones got to have colored pencils for cheap with all the back to school sales on right now)

[fccs]

I use colored pencils a lot, too. On charts with lots of symbols in a small area, I highlight what I have done. If I make a mistake (ugh!), I will highlight that square with a different color so I don't forget to go back to it. I also use the pencils to highlight the chart grid when the 10x10 lines aren't easily discernible.

(someones got to have colored pencils for cheap with all the back to school sales on right now)

I agree...time to stock up.

[Mystonique]

I too use coloured pencils (having tried erasable highlighters and lead pencil, texta and chalk).

[Fizzbw]

I used to use coloured pencils, but now I use highlighters as I found a pack of 10 different colours and they are quicker to colour in that pencils. I then shade them in with lead pencil afterwards so it's dark and I don't get distracted. If I have made a mistake I can just rub out the pencil to see where I was.

My concentration is not brilliant so this really helps, even on smaller designs. I'd never managed a confetti one without my system! I also find that the shape the coloured in symbols make on the page help me see any mistakes.

Niki x