How many threads do you use?

[jaehyeon]

How many threads do you use per fabric? Such as... do you use 2 threads for 14ct Aida? 3? What about evenweave?

Let's have a discussion >:0

[richardandtracy]

I use 2 on 14ct, but the coverage is getting a bit sparse, so for any count less than 14 I think you'd need 3. By the time you get to 6 count, you're up to 6 threads.

I think 18ct Aida can cope with 2 threads, as can 36ct evenweave doing it over 2.

Beyond that is outside my experience.

Richard

[Allyn]

It's been a very long time (decades, in fact) since I stitched on 14 ct aida. Two threads are rather sparse for my liking if I remember correctly, so I'll use three for better coverage (or two for a 'country' look because you can really see the Xs). Two threads are okay for 16 ct. I like using 18 ct when I use aida and two threads gives good coverage. On evenweave, I'll use 2-over-2 on 28 ct and 32 ct. I use 2-over-1 on 25 ct, and 1-over-1 on 28 ct and 32 ct.

[rcperryls]

Depends on the project. And the type of thread. And the type of stitch. I prefer 2 over 1 tent stitch on 28 ct evenweave for large HAED projects. My other WIPs use
2 over 1 on 18ct Afghan fabric
1 over 1 on 25 ct evenweave
2 over 2 on 28 or 32 ct evenweave or linen.

Carole

[Rose]

I love to use 14 count Aida fabric and for the most part I use 2 over. It depends on the color of the fabric and also the type of pattern.

I also like 2 over on 16. And again depending on the pattern I think 1 over on 18 gives good coverage.

I can not tell you much about evenweave as I do not stitch on it but it strikes me as a bit funny that 2 over 2 on 28 counts seems the standard as that would be the same size as 14 count. And what I have read over the years people say that the coverage is excellent yet claim that you need 3 on 14 count.

[pattiebelle]

Like Rose, I mainly stitch on 14ct aida, and I use 2 over. I've just started a piece on 28ct and am doing 2over2 and the stitch seems "tighter". Perhaps because the thread is thinnner than the box square of aida? Don't know. Don't really care, actually. My pieces don't need to have "perfect" coverage to make me happy with it. In the end, the overall picture is looked at and individual x's have merged into the "gestalt". (huh?) -lol

If I'm working on a HAED, I stitch 1 over 1 on 25ct, or 28 ct evenweave. Haven't used linen, yet. Nor have I stitched with 3 or more threads, unless it's a specialty note in a pattern I'm doing.

[jaehyeon]

Just messing around on 14ct aida, I noticed the darker colors don't have as much coverage as the lighter colors and it bugs me? Just using 2 over 1. So I was like, hm, maybe I should do 3 over 1. But then I can't do a loop start which I really like. -.- but would 4 be too much?

[fccs]

I use two strands for 14 count/28 count over two, and on 16 count/32 count over two. On 18 count I use either two strands or one, depending on the design.

I'm quite happy with the coverage and look of two strands on 14/28, so I've never even tried three or more strands, but my first thought is four strands on 14 would be quite bulky. But...you can do a test 10x10 swatch and see how you like it. There's no rule, so if you like how it looks and it works for you, go for it.

[Allyn]

....I can not tell you much about evenweave as I do not stitch on it but it strikes me as a bit funny that 2 over 2 on 28 counts seems the standard as that would be the same size as 14 count. And what I have read over the years people say that the coverage is excellent yet claim that you need 3 on 14 count.

Size-wise, 28 ct over 2 is the same as 14 ct, but the fabric 'acts' different -- maybe the evenweave threads are 'plumper' and the aida is thinner, I don't know. I don't know how to explain it other than that. I don't think 2-over-2 in 28 ct is 'excellent' coverage, but it looks okay to me. 2-over-1 on 14 ct aida just looks a little thin when I want better coverage. It may 'seem a bit funny', but if different people say the same thing independent of each other, there might be something to it. 2-over-1 on 14 ct aida doesn't look bad. I just like better coverage when I'm stitching it. I solved the dilemma for myself by not using 14 ct aida.

...would 4 be too much?

Four would probably be too much, but you can try it and see what you think. I agree that the darker colors look thinner using 2-over-1 on 14 ct aida, but it doesn't look bad. If you're set on loop-starting, use two and don't fret over it

[cairee]

2 over 1 full cross on 16,18,22,25ct
1 over 1 full cross on 25,28,32,36ct
2 over 2 full cross on 32,36,40ct
2 over 1 tent on 25,28,32ct
1 over 1 tent on 40,45,48,55,60ct

I dont use 14ct or under so I dont have a preference on those.