Help with higher fabric count

[red_scout]

Apologies if this is a sort of basic question, but I'm getting tired of restarting my project! I'm working with Aida 18 for a little 5" piece. The first time, I tried my usual method of color blocks, but the squares in between stitches I'd made became smashed and I couldn't make a proper X. The second time, I tried doing complete rows, which not only got annoying but the squares on top were getting warped, plus I was making a huge knot on the backside. I am using a hoop. I'm still relatively a beginner, so maybe there's some technique I'm missing? I really want to learn to use higher fabric since I have some lofty aspirations. If anyone has tips, I'd be so grateful. Thank you tons!

[LilacDragon]

Hmmm. I am a visual person, so without looking at the piece, it is a little harder for me to see what is going on.

It sounds like you might be pulling your stitches too tight. While you don't want the floss all loopy on the material, pulling it too tight can affect the shape of the squares and make things look, well, funky.

[karen4bells]

Apologies if this is a sort of basic question, but I'm getting tired of restarting my project! I'm working with Aida 18 for a little 5" piece. The first time, I tried my usual method of color blocks, but the squares in between stitches I'd made became smashed and I couldn't make a proper X. The second time, I tried doing complete rows, which not only got annoying but the squares on top were getting warped, plus I was making a huge knot on the backside. I am using a hoop. I'm still relatively a beginner, so maybe there's some technique I'm missing? I really want to learn to use higher fabric since I have some lofty aspirations. If anyone has tips, I'd be so grateful. Thank you tons!

I'm not sure why this would be happening. What size needle are you using, and how many threads are you stitching with. On 18 count, I usually use a #28 needle and use 2 strands of thread

[Mystonique]

How many strands of thread are you using and over how many squares (strands of fabric)? It sounds like you might be using too many strands of thread.

Everyone has different tension (tightness of the stitches) when they stitch so different amounts of thread etc suit them better.

I definitely wouldn't use more than 2 on 18ct aida over one square. But I know stitchers with looser tension than me use one strand over one square on 18ct.

Also changing needle sizes up or down a size is a great suggestion. I prefer down a size so it goes through easier but some stitches prefer up a size to open the hole up more.

[Rose]

I was also going to ask how many strands of thread you are using. I use 1 or 2 for 18 count depending on the project and how much color change goes on. And yes a size 28 needle is the best I have found for 18 count.

Good luck!!!!!

[red_scout]

Oh, I'm so sorry for responding so late. So I'm using two threads and...I forgot which needle. I'll look at that. Please forgive me if I attached the images incorrectly.


So this is the first one where I did my usual color block pattern. It was in a hoop at one point. If you look at the top border, you can see where the holes are starting to be distorted and unusable.


This is the second one where I just did each line separately, but it was very difficult to do as I either had five needles in the piece at once or had to start new thread constantly.


For what it's worth, this is what I'm trying to do. If it proves too difficult, I might move to a larger fabric until I'm more skilled and just have this be larger than I wanted.

Thank you all so much for your help.

[MaggieM1750]

It might be the 2 strands that is causing the trouble.

Try a spot of a similar size as to what you've done using 1 thread so you can compare.

I generally stitch until my thread runs out, or I've reached a stop with that color.
On 18 count, I would use a size 26 or 28 needle, just as the others have suggested.

[Reta]

Silly question but is this your first attempt at cross stitch

Are you pulling the two strands out of the six as it looks like more than two strands that you are using
Or are you doing the loop start with the two strands As you only need one folded in half
https://www.thecrossstitchguild.com/Cro ... Start.aspx" target="_blank

[Louise1262]

Silly question but is this your first attempt at cross stitch

Are you pulling the two strands out of the six as it looks like more than two strands that you are using
Or are you doing the loop start with the two strands As you only need one folded in half
https://www.thecrossstitchguild.com/Cro ... Start.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank

Good point Reta.

What brand of thread are you using ?

[Allyn]

Silly question but is this your first attempt at cross stitch

Are you pulling the two strands out of the six as it looks like more than two strands that you are using
Or are you doing the loop start with the two strands As you only need one folded in half
https://www.thecrossstitchguild.com/Cro ... Start.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank

I'm thinking the same thing as Reta. It doesn't look like two strands. It looks like too much thread.

[Mystonique]

I was thinking exactly the same thing - it looks like more than 2 strands (lots of us have made that mistake, me included lol).

If you are definitely only using two strands try it with one - maybe your tension is just looser in which case it will finish a bit bulkier.

[Allyn]

I remember years ago when I started stitching, no one told me that when you pull the floss out of the skein, that's 6 strands. After you pull the floss out of the skein and cut it to length, flick one end until it separates into six individual strands. Grab the end of one strand and pull it out of the thread. Now you have a single strand of floss. The first project I tried was a mess because I was trying to stitch with this huge wad of thread.

[Louise1262]

Yes Allyn, I think it's a common mistake, my sister did exactly that when she started stitching and as she's in England it took us a while on the phone to sort it.

Charts do just say '2 strands' or whatever but never tell you to split them first.

As with everything it's obvious when you know how

[Borgessa]

I agree with the others, your image helps a lot but it does look like too much thread. Here is a tutorial on how to use the loop method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJgwJGlZjk" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

If you prefer to cast on another way (i'm a knitter from way back) there are plenty of toturials on youtube you can look at.

I started stitching a few months ago, and didn't understand the floss strands myself.

Here is a shorter tutorial on seperating the floss strands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ1l447qnPY" target="_blank" target="_blank

PS, I always use Youtube, because I learn better visually than I do, reading. If I see it, then I'm good to go. Explain it to me, i get lost lol.

[cairee]

Im going to agree that it looks like too much thread. have you tried using less thread yet? did it work better?

[fccs]

It does look like either there are more than two strands, or this particular floss is just bulkier than what I am used to. Let us know if you've been able to try what others have suggested.

And never apologize for a question, basic or otherwise. We all started at the same place and are always learning.

[purvislets]

That definitely looks like more than two strands. I'm also stitching on 18 ct aida using two strands, but I don't get that kind of coverage. When I use the loop method to start I only use one strand. Here is what mine looks like:



If you are pulling 2 threads from the skein, then I wouldn't use the loop start method because it will be like using 4 threads which could be the reason why it is so bulky.

[twinkie253]

purvislets:
I know this thread hasn't had activity in a little bit but I'm hoping you will still see this question. I noticed on your project you did the grid pattern with a single thread. I forgot what's it's called but I'm considering learning that since I'm so paranoid about counting. I spend so much time counting and recounting because I've made mistakes previously. It looks like you used backstitch on the horizontal lines but the vertical lines don't even look attached in most places. How do you do this and how do you remove it? It looks like it would get in the way of stitching and be hard to remove. Do you use the same grid pattern that is on the pattern I guess?

[Arianwen]

purvislets:
I know this thread hasn't had activity in a little bit but I'm hoping you will still see this question. I noticed on your project you did the grid pattern with a single thread. I forgot what's it's called but I'm considering learning that since I'm so paranoid about counting. I spend so much time counting and recounting because I've made mistakes previously. It looks like you used backstitch on the horizontal lines but the vertical lines don't even look attached in most places. How do you do this and how do you remove it? It looks like it would get in the way of stitching and be hard to remove. Do you use the same grid pattern that is on the pattern I guess?

Just saw this so I thought I would answer. That is called gridding and there are a few different ways you can do it.

You can use thread like purvislets has (regular sewing thread can work but i know some people have trouble with it getting caught in the stitching so they use a fishing line type thread) and then pull it out when you are finished or you can draw the grid directly onto your fabric using a special pen/pencil and wash it at the end - I do this. Gridding definitely helps me place my stitches correctly - I have to frog much less now.

There are lots of discussions on gridding here on the forums but here is how I do it.

I find the centre of my fabric and make a little cross there. Then I use my pattern to find where the centre is. I count the right number of stitches out on either side of the centre and make a mark on each side. I do the same for top and bottom. Then I count 10 stitches/blocks away from each line and make a small mark at each point, then I draw a line through them vertically and horizontally. This gives me a series of small squares that are 10 stitches wide by 10 stitches high, just like the marking on the pattern.

It makes it much easier to count and check your stitch placement and there is less likely hood of you going wrong. It can be very time consuming to put the grid in at the start though

HOpe this helps

[twinkie253]

Thank you so much for the answer on gridding. What kind of pen/marker do you use? Does it wash out easily? I am a slow stitcher so it would be on there a couple months probably.