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Don't give up Kerri, it's a lovely project. When I'm working on my HAED I just couldn't manage without my daylight lamp. I use it all the time except when the sun is really shining in through the window - which let's face it is very rare these days! I also struggled with keeping my place in the pattern. I now work in roughly 10 x 10 blocks so that if I go wrong I should find out very quickly. And the best thing I've found to help keep me right is double marking the chart. I colour in yellow the stitches I'm about to do, then go over them in green when they are completed. I must think visually or something!

Good luck and don't give up. It takes a while to get used to it. Wait till you go back to 14 count again after doing a few weeks on a HAED - it's like stitching in capital letters

Heh 100 stitches here and there is AMAZING progress on a HAED!!!!

You MUST post a picture and keep out out of suspense!!!! (I'll be blaming you for all this chocolate i'm eating while I wait for an update! )

I agree that a daylight lamp makes it so much easier, I did the first page of mine without and got really sore eyes, I've since got a daylight lamp and its so much easier and quicker!! Well done on your progress so far-Cant wait to see some pics!

thankyou for letting me know about the pre-gridded fabric, i have 2 HAEDs i thinking of doing and I really dont wanna grid myself.

100 stitches is fab progress and i want a pic!!! please

I'm the same Lisa. I'm sure i'd mess up big time if I had to grid fabric myself. Pregridded sounds a lovely safe option!

What size q snap are you using? I'm using a 9" one with my HAED and i find it keeps the fabric really tight.

No worries everyone! I'm not giving up on it! I haven't had much time to stitch at all lately but maybe a little tonight. I'll take a picture tonight too and post it tomorrow so you can all see the tiny little bit I've done. As for the Q-snaps, I believe they are they 9" one's also. I think the fabric is just really soft and it just slides out a little. I may just find some other type of fabric to sneak in there to keep it a little tighter. Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I do appreciate all the feedback!

Yeah i put another piece of fabric under the grips, maybe that's the trick.

Sorry I wasn't on here yesterday but here's the pics finally..



and a close up..



Those squares are 20 x 20 so that's 400 stitches for one little square!

I may get a chance to work on it a little this weekend.

What's your fabric count? That looks tiny . . . even in the close up.

Your start is wonderful. This is a big one but with all the bright colors you should have a blast.

It's 22 count and it does feel really tiny which is why I am so in awe of everyone who works on 25 and 28 count for these HAED projects!

Good start! I shall enjoy watching this grow!

Great start! This HAED is a very unique one

That pre gridded fabric looks great. Does it wash off or something at the end or do you stitch over it completely?

Great progress already! Those tiny stitches all add up.

Nope it's actually part of the fabric so you just stitch over it. I love that it's gridded but you could only use it for projects that were completely stitched over since it doesn't come out.

I think DMC have a fabric that comes pre-gridded but then you wash it at 40 degrees and the gridding disappears, so you could also use it for things that aren't completely covered (though they will need to be washable at 40 degrees...)

I guess these companies are going to start coming out with new ideas and hopefully this will benefit us and make it even easier to tackle larger projects.

looks scary! lol..great job so far!

Oh wow these HAED sizes never fail to amaze me 400 stitches that patch!