separating colored threads....

[robow]

I am new to this forum. I will start out by saying that I really love doing counted cross stitch projects. Hadn't done any for several years but am now returning to the hobby and once again am hooked! I do have a question ....do any of you have any tips on separating the different colored threads? I am just in the preparation stage of a new project. It's quite complex with a lot of different colored threads. I have a table set up in a sunny window where I have been trying to figure out which color is which in the brightest light possible. I am finally getting near the end but am finding it very difficult. Some of the colors are so close to each other it's very difficult to separate them. And when you have colors like ecru, tan , light tan, taupe, light taupe...well, you get the idea. Any helpful suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks so much.

Rosie

[Angel]

Mostly I poke my sister and we sit there arguing it out. Not helpful I know, so here's the helpful suggestion.

If you have a stash of threads already sorted, like I know pretty much everyone on this forum does, you could try holding them up against those threads. I do that sometimes and it works pretty well.

[Rose]

I do not use kits very often so I don't have a lot of experience with sorting but what I have always done is as you have said work in a well lighted area. And most of the kits tell you how many lengths of each color there are. This has helped me to know how many I should have of each color. I don't know if this will be of any help to you at all.

Oh by the way, WELCOME and Hello so glad you came on and joined in the forum and all of the fun that we have here!!!!

[Busy_B]

Welcome! I agree with Rose. If there are a few colors I'm having a problem with, I'll check to see how many lengths of each I should have. Sometimes I will look for the color on the pattern and then look at the picture to see if I can figure it out that way. Angel's idea of having a second opinion helps, too. Good luck!

[Mabel Figworthy]

And if you really can't get some of them sorted, take them to your local needlework shop (assuming that you are lucky enough to have one!) and compare them (in a good light and assisted by whoever is helping at that time) to their threads -- they should have the whole range, after all!

[Serinde]

Don't you just hate it when thread comes unsorted? I once did a kit with 3 blues, and couldn't differentiate between two of them.

Were the threads sorted into bundles? Is there some clue on the instructions as to which colours are in each bundle, or how many lengths for each colour?

Everyone else's ideas are good, too.

[Fljotsdale]

This is going to sound awfully smug and self-satisfied (but I'm sure I'll get my come-uppance!), but I have never had a real problem with sorting colours, even closely related colours. But I know many people do. I wonder if it is a matter of vision?
I do know that we all SEE colour differently (and I'm not talking colour-blind); yes, blues are blues, greens are greens, reds are reds, etc, but the exact shade or tint or pure colour you see is unlikely to be precisely what I see, although it will be very, very close.
And the colour differentiation of some people can be more or less acute than 'normal'. But we don't notice it until we need to differentiate!

I guess what I'm really saying is "Yes, I agree with everyone else! Ask for a second opinion!"

[agi]

I know what you mean, Fljotsdale. One of my hubby's t-shirts, his favourite one, is a shade between grren and grey. He always refers to it as "the green t-shirt", and I always wonder what he is speaking about, he has no green one. Then, I realize he means the grey one.

[Fljotsdale]

Heh! Yeah!

I always excuse people who put absolutely the 'wrong' colours together, even when it makes me blink a bit, because I'm sure they look just right to them! And probably my colour sense looks all wrong to them! Vision is a strange thing.

[Jilly]

If you end up with just a few, try putting them next to ones that you have already worked out, the tans should have a similar 'hue'
It may also help if you look at the chart to see which ones are next to eachother, often the tans,for example, will be close for a graduated effect.
If all else fails, and you have the same number of threads for each colour, just stitch what feels right in that area

[coffee_freak]

that's what i do..check the chart and maybe it will say how many strands of each color..try to match it up that way..or stitch what you know is right..and when it calls for the color u r unsure of..see what's next to it and pick the one that makes the most sense to you..

also if the chart offers DMC or ANCHOR numbers..which sometimes they do..you can check the number and the name of the color..and match it that way.

[Becca]

Usually they have the actual DMC numbers of the threads (or equivalent), but if not i try to judge by the number of strands. The Dimensions Gold Collection kits come with the threads in four bundles, which makes them easier to sort.

[lacemaker2004]

I don't do kits to frequently but when I have and gotten completely disgusted I've been known to throw them out and just pull from my thread stash. It is wasteful I know but it does save the frustration level.

[nettie]

I sort the obvious colours first and then do the similar colours. I use the list to see how many sections of each colour there should be and then use that to identify the other similar colours that way.