newbie cross stitcher

[Rose]

I really think that the best thing to do is get a couple of smaller kits and to work them all the way through. With out getting some finishes you are not going to know what your work will look like. You are a newbie and as a newbie you need to get some time and stitching in before you can determine what is the best way to stitch and what count is going to give you the look that you want. Trial and error is the best teacher.

[fccs]

I think Rose has a good idea. Pick up a small kit or two...Christmas ornamnere are fun if you celebrate it.

I started on 14 count decades (!) ago and still use it sometimes. We all eventually find our favorite fabrics, and even those change at times. When I stitch on 14 I use two strands and if the fabric peeks through, I am fine with that and I think it looks just fine.

As for magnifier and lights...I have a small Ott that slips o to my hoops, a larger clamp Daylight that clamps onto my qsnaps and scroll frames, and a floor magnifier lamp. They make all the difference in poor lighting or on certain fabrics.

My advice...don't be too critical or hard on yourself, experiment with fabrics and fibers, and most of all, take the time to really enjoy your stitching.

[Allyn]

It can be okay to see the fabric through the stitches. It all depends on the design and how you want it to look. Being able to see the fabric a little bit can add a 'country charm' to the finished piece. Here is an article talking about fabric count, number of threads and coverage:
http://www.scarletquince.com/floss_coverage.php" target="_blank" target="_blank
They also talk about blending effect. That doesn't apply to what you're doing right now, so ignore the blending comments.

If you like more complete coverage, using three threads (but you won't be able to loop-start) on 14-ct, or using two threads on 16-ct fabric will increase your coverage. If the looser tension you're using is working, go with that as long as the stitches aren't too loose.

A needle that is too big will break open the holes too much and make your stitch smaller so you'll see gaps between the stitches. On the other hand, using a needle too small when you're working with aida can cause fraying of the floss. The needle doesn't open the hole in the aida at all, so the edges of the hole abrade the floss and make it fuzzy. I think it's less of a problem on evenweave; but on aida, you want the needle to clear a nice path for the floss so it doesn't get so shredded. A good needle size for 14 ct would be 26 or 24.

I definitely agree with the others. Don't be so critical. If you don't get a few finishes under your belt, you'll never be able to work out what really works for you.

[Serinde]

I've just posted but it has disappeared! .....Well, I'm still unsure of my work. I cannot decide if I like the stitch size.
Having just googled what the 14, 16, 18 count etc means.....do I want a smaller count to make my crosses look bigger, and hopefully neater, or a higher count to make the stitches more blob like, but I assume this will look messier?

Please help!!!

The larger the count size, the larger the stitch will look. Somewhere on this forum (and I can't find it, of course, despite looking) is a thread that Mabel Figworthy was involved with which showed exactly how the size of fabric affects the size of stitches in a design. It's perfect. But can I find it???

[rcperryls]

I've just posted but it has disappeared! .....Well, I'm still unsure of my work. I cannot decide if I like the stitch size.
Having just googled what the 14, 16, 18 count etc means.....do I want a smaller count to make my crosses look bigger, and hopefully neater, or a higher count to make the stitches more blob like, but I assume this will look messier?

Please help!!!

The larger the count size, the larger the stitch will look. Somewhere on this forum (and I can't find it, of course, despite looking) is a thread that Mabel Figworthy was involved with which showed exactly how the size of fabric affects the size of stitches in a design. It's perfect. But can I find it???

Found it!! Its in the middle of the Glossary thread. A pansy stitched on about 10 different counts. I'd forgotten about it until now.

Carole

[NeedleAndFork]

If you're considering changing fabric count, the key thing to remember is that the higher the number the smaller the stitches. And the smaller they get the less they look like an x, and more like a dot of color. At 14 count, you're going to get a result that looked at from an average viewing distance you'll still be able to see individual crosses, especially where 2 colors meet, or at the edges, where you get the stair stepped effect if the stitches aren't ending along the same row/column. There's not a darn thing wrong with this, in fact I've heard some purists say that they want this look since it is the traditional look of cross stitch. Others (me included) find that they prefer teeny tiny stitches, and like to stitch on fabrics as high as 25, 28, or even 32 count because at that point the individual crosses disappear into little points of color that give a very solid look as almost no fabric shows through.

CHoosing a different count fabric will affect the size of your finished piece too. The higher the count, the smaller the finished piece as your stitches are much denser.

As for lighting.. I had one of those expensive OTT lights and loved it, until the bulb finally needed replacing. Talk about sticker shock when I priced a new bulb! So I hit the lighting aisle at walmart and bought a couple of different options to try out. My favorites ended up being these at $8 for a box of 4

The give off a WHITE light, unlike most lightbulbs that have a yellow light to them.. the key descriptor on the box is 'cool color tone' .. if I remember correctly, the back of each box had a bar on it marked from warm to cool, with where the bulbs fell on the range. I use it in a clip on lamp that is attached to the bookshelf besides me so that I can point it at my work from over my shoulder while I stitch, and then pivot it upwards for general lighting when I'm reading or watching TV. I've been using just one lightbulb from the pack of 4 for over a year now with it burning atleast a couple of hours each day. I think compared to an OTT light this works splendidly.. the only time I still wish I had a working OTT is when I'm trying to get accurate colors when photographing stuff as this bulb plays all sorts of havoc with my camera settings. But I'm not willing to shell out for an OTT just for that since I already have a lightbox with special lighting for it - I'm just too lazy to set it up for weekly progress pictures!

[Allyn]

As for lighting.. I had one of those expensive OTT lights and loved it, until the bulb finally needed replacing. Talk about sticker shock when I priced a new bulb! So I hit the lighting aisle at walmart and bought a couple of different options to try out. My favorites ended up being these at $8 for a box of 4
The give off a WHITE light, unlike most lightbulbs that have a yellow light to them..

This is why I never bought an Ott light. I saw the price of the specialty replacement bulbs and immediately crossed it off my list. I use the same lightbulbs as the ones you linked. They throw white light -- not the yellow light like incandescent bulbs do (as long as you get the 'daylight' bulbs) -- and they stay cool. I can have the lamp on for hours and the bulb is still cool enough to touch. With the incandescent bulbs, I could only stitch for short periods of time because the bulb would throw out so much heat, it was like trying to sit under a french-fry warming lamp at McDonalds. After my husband saw the 'daylight' light given off by my stitching lamp and no heat generation, he suggested we change all the bulbs in the house -- which we did.

[bookknurd]

Something else to keep in mind is that when you're working on your stitching, you are inspecting it far more closely than probably anyone else ever will again (including yourself).

That is, unless you ask another stitcher to look at it or enter in a competition or something.

So while I also like to do good work, I try not to let slight imperfections bother me. Once it's done and on the wall or wherever, you'll mainly be seeing the big picture.

[purvislets]

With 14 count, it's very normal to be able to see the fabric behind it. If you are wanting more full coverage then a small count would probably be better. I've almost always done 14 ct, but my most recent kit had an 18 ct aida and you can't see any of the fabric behind the stitches when you loop start as long as your tension isn't too tight.

Try not to be too hard on yourself or critical of your stitching. I agree with some of the others' idea to start on small projects and get a few finishes under your belt. Not only will it boost your confidence but it will also allow you time to find out what kind of stitching you like best, what fabrics or thread counts produce the results you like and give you some "on the job experience". I look back at some of my first projects and cringe sometimes at the amount of mistakes and odd looking stitches, but I love them so much because I made them and I learned from them.

Keep stitching, find what you love about it, and run with it. No one is more critical of your work than yourself.

[kezibell]

Hi all,
Thank you so much for all your comments. So far I have re-started twice and now third time lucky I am happy with it and it is looking like what I had in mind.
I have re-started using three threads and I prefer the coverage.
My son has calculated that at the rate I am stitching, it will take me 90 days to complete!
Really annoyed that work gets in the way......I want to stay at home and stitch!

[rcperryls]

I am so glad that you have found the method that works best for you for this project. It makes a huge difference in how you enjoy your stitching. And I'm glad that you were able to make that decision earlier rather than later in your stitching. I went way too long on one of my projects for admitting that the number of strands and method I was stitching in wasn't working and started a project over. I am sure that as you become more and more experienced with how you stitch and what you prefer these decisions will be easier. Looks good to me and I hope that you will give us plenty of updates as you make progress on this.

Carole

[Lori0]

And welcome to the world of stitchers. It shows that you are now enjoying it. We all would prefer not to go to work, do the laundry, dishes, anything that takes us away from stitching.

[purvislets]

Your coverage looks really great on the restart! I'm glad you're happy with it!

[kezibell]

Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd show you how I'm getting on.
I'm using a hoop and now I have to move it around and have the stitching underneath the frame, I don't like it.....it doesn't hold as tight and I'm also worried it might mark my stitches or flatten them.
Is there another option apart from the hoop or do I just buy a larger hoop?

[kezibell]

Oooops, don't know why my pic is upside down! Sorry!

[Rose]

There are many different options ..... In hand, q-snaps, scroll.frames.

I used hoops for many year until I discovered q-snaps and I love them. Don't worry about the stitches that are under the hoop or q-snap though as they will pop right back once you wash and iron your finished piece. Unless you have a defective hoop no harm will come to the stitches.

[Oriettait]

Great progress! and about frames I agree with everything Rose said

[Leroy_B]

I'm on my 4th stitch project all are 14 count, 3 black and 1 cream aida. All kits called for 3 floss threads and a 24 needle. All threads laid down with no issues and the needle worked fine. No fabric ever shown thru, equal tension. That's what always worked from the 1st to the 4th one in progress, I'm comfortable with the final work.

In all the years stitching, yet it's not my every day hobby, this forum and help from members has broadened my knowledge with different methods and techniques. As it's been mentioned what you'll read and learn and even trial and error you'll find what best suits you.

[Nachstenliebe]

Check out Q- snaps http://www.123stitch.com/QSnapFrames.html" target="_blank

Your piece is looking great! Even upside down