Question

[Elinoir]

I've got a little problem. So I've been stitching my current project without a hoop. Cross stitches were no problem, but the half stitches messed up my work pretty badly. It's all crooked and stretched. Is there any way I can fix this with ironing or something else?

[MaggieM1750]

I think stitches sort of settle I to place once I wash and iron my finished pieces.
But.. often we are our own worse critics. Photos can help us see what can help.

[Allyn]

I've got a little problem. So I've been stitching my current project without a hoop. Cross stitches were no problem, but the half stitches messed up my work pretty badly. It's all crooked and stretched. Is there any way I can fix this with ironing or something else?

As I read this, I'm thinking that you're stitching in hand? without using a hoop or Q-snaps or anything, yes? I'm not sure how the half stitches would do what you've described since they're just one leg of a full cross and you didn't have problems with the full stitches. You could try ironing it or wash it and block it to try to get everything squared again.

[Elinoir]

Yeah I'm stitching without a hoop. I made a picture to clarify it. It's really bothering me while I'm working on it

[Arianwen]

Hi and welcome!

To be honest that looks absolutely fine to me. Your stitches are even and lay nicely and all 'point' the same way, I find half stitches always look a little weird to me until I have the picture finished and framed etc.

I think if it really bothers you, it can be solved by washing and ironing once you have finished the project.

Lovely stitching by the way

[Nimble stitch]

I think that it is fine and as others have said we are our own worse critics. I usually find once I wash my work it evens out

[Elinoir]

Hm ok, thanks

[rcperryls]

You don't sound convinced yet, but I agree with the others, that your stitches look very neat and uniform. I haven't stitched in hand so think you have done a really good job maintaining the tension needed for such consistent stitching. Half stitches often don't look right to me until a piece is finished and I can clearly see how they are background or meant to look softer than the main picture.
Sometimes stepping away and looking at your piece from a difference, or taking a photo will help you see the piece in the right perspective that up close looking doesn't give you.

Carole

[Reta]

It looks to me as if your half stitches are going ////// but your crossed ones \\\\\

But on saying that it looks textured which is great

[fccs]

It looks to me as if your half stitches are going ////// but your crossed ones \\\\\

But on saying that it looks textured which is great

Hmmm...that is how I have always done my half cross stitches. You mean after all these years, it's wrong? Heck, I'm too stuck in my ways to change now.

[littleturtlegirl]

My ornament is so little and I too am using a loop. The leg of my guy is smashed and deformed too. I am praying that it will bounce back after I finish too. I am being very aware to make sure I do not put his legs in the hoop anymore.

I would post a picture, but I have a dinosaur phone. When I do my 2014 projects I will figure out how to do pictures. Just got to get it done before Christmas.

I agree with everyone else, we know what it is suppose to look like, no one else does.

[karen4bells]

It looks to me as if your half stitches are going ////// but your crossed ones \\\\\

But on saying that it looks textured which is great

Hmmm...that is how I have always done my half cross stitches. You mean after all these years, it's wrong? Heck, I'm too stuck in my ways to change now.

I do the same thing--guess we both are stitching wrong lol

[Elinoir]

It looks to me as if your half stitches are going ////// but your crossed ones \\\\\

But on saying that it looks textured which is great

Hmmm...that is how I have always done my half cross stitches. You mean after all these years, it's wrong? Heck, I'm too stuck in my ways to change now.

I do the same thing--guess we both are stitching wrong lol

I didn't know it was wrong. The guide that comes with the kit tells to do it that way.

Thanks for all the response by the way, I guess it'll turn out fine.

[karen4bells]

I didn't know it was wrong. The guide that comes with the kit tells to do it that way.

Thanks for all the response by the way, I guess it'll turn out fine.

I honestly think it is quite okay to do it that way--I learned to stitch my half stitches that way from many kits. I think that the main thing is to make sure that all of the stitches are done the same---half stitches should all be stitched the same and full cross stitches should all have the tops facing the same way--hope that all makes sense

[Reta]

I did not say it was wrong ,Just pointing out thats what might make it look twisted

I think it adds texture to the finish

As long as you are all happy with your finishes thats what matters

[fccs]

I did not say it was wrong ,Just pointing out thats what might make it look twisted

I think it adds texture to the finish

As long as you are all happy with your finishes thats what matters

I like designs that make good use of the half stitches...they can really add depth and interest.

[karen4bells]

I did not say it was wrong ,Just pointing out thats what might make it look twisted

I think it adds texture to the finish

As long as you are all happy with your finishes thats what matters

[SunnFyre]

It looks to me as if your half stitches are going ////// but your crossed ones \\\\\

But on saying that it looks textured which is great

Hmmm...that is how I have always done my half cross stitches. You mean after all these years, it's wrong? Heck, I'm too stuck in my ways to change now.

I always wondered myself if half stitches were supposed to face same direction as the top of full cross but all the instructions I've ever seen show they are opposite. Also a few kits that I have that use both stitches, you can see in the picture of the finished design that they are opposite.
I did accidentally make them all the same direction in one project I started but honestly it doesn't look bad. I agree that it adds texture which is probably why the instructions are opposite but as long as you're happy with the finished piece I doubt it matters.