Valar Morghulis - Update March 27

[Mikaa]

Hi everyone!

It's been a few years since I've posted here, wow. Time flies. I've started a new project though (I ordered one to start, but then Amazon said it would take a week or so, so I got antsy) and I think it'll be a relatively quick one.

For the Game of Thrones fans out there, you will like this one. I loved reading Game of Thrones (although I haven't finished the fifth book--so no spoilers!) and was really happy when the show came out.

I've started this little Valar Morghulis project. This is actually my first time ever buying the materials and chart and everything separately and not in a kit. It was a bit daunting at first, but I think it's going alright! I did buy a size 24 needle though and size 8 floss... I think that was a mistake. Either that or I'm rusty at threading a needle. Do you think I should get a larger needle? What size fits size 8 floss?

Here's what it looks like:


I'll post an update tomorrow when I make a little more progress.

Hope you like it!

[Allyn]

Nice project!

Size 8 floss? Do you mean pearl cotton?

[rcperryls]

Welcome back!! We love it when a member returns. And stitching new projects. I can certainly understand your impatience at having to wait for the delivery of a kit to get back to stitching. Once the need to stitch comes on, waiting a day to get started can feel like an eternity . If you generally rely on a kit to provide you with the materials you need, I can see why having to choose needles and floss and fabric may feel a bit overwhelming as there are so many things to choose from. It sounds like you have purchased a #8 pearl cotton thread. In the Glossary thread, there is a post from Mabel that might explain your difficulty:

"Perlé - Also known as Pearl Cotton, this is a single-stranded, lightly twisted thread. It is traditionally used for hardanger embroidery, but is also suitable for cross stitch, giving a slightly raised effect to the work. As it is highly mercerised it has a stronger sheen than ordinary stranded cotton.

It is available in four sizes, from heavier to finer no.3, 5, 8 and 12 -- stitching over two, use no.8 on 28ct fabric, and no. 5 on 18ct, taking care not to lose the twist which gives the thread its typical appearance."

I use #8 Pearl Cotton for stitching Hardanger designs and generally find that I need to use a #24 or #22 needle and a needle threader to get the strand through what seems like a very large eye usually, but not with the Pearls. Normally I use a Petite #28 needle, so these always seem huge to me. With Pearl Cotton, typically you would also use one strand, where you might use 2 strands of thread with standard floss. If you are using two strands of the #8 that could be why you are having a hard time threading also.

Carole

[Mikaa]

Ahh yes, thank you for the replies! Carole, that glossary is so helpful. I totally forgot it was here. Thanks for the info--will definitely use it next time I'm buying stuff!

It is size 8 pearl cotton floss, yes. I've been using two and it seems to be going alright. It is definitely a bit raised, but mainly the issue comes from threading the needle. I wanted size 5 floss, but they were out unfortunately. Next time I will make sure to get size 5.

I'm stitching with two strands on 14 count aida, by the way. I think right now I may just go and grab a needle threader and roll with the punches. I kind of like how three dimensional it is

[rcperryls]

Looking forward to seeing it. I love the idea of it being three dimensional too!

Carole

[Mikaa]

Here's how it's going so far:

[Midge]

You have made a great start. Can't wait to see more.

[rcperryls]

Great start!

Carole

[karen4bells]

Welcome back!! What a fantastic start on this!! Looking forward to your next update

[Mikaa]

It's coming along quite nicely! I think it should be finished in about a week.

Also, I realised I didn't explain what it was. "Valar Morghulis" is a common greeting of sorts in Game of Thrones. It means, "all men must die" and is commonly responded to with "Valar Doehaeris", which means, "all men must serve". There is a pattern which matches this for the latter, which I may do later.

Anyways, here it is after the nice
long weekend



Thanks for looking!

[Carole]

That's coming on beautifully

I love Game of Thrones!

[AlwaysGoofy]

This is coming along so nicely and quickly. It will be done in no time. I'm looking forward to more pictures.

[karen4bells]

Very nice update!!

[rcperryls]

Great update!!

Carole

[charmagne_capalad]

Great progress!