Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

I voted yes Mabel. I really think in this day and age of technology and "drive-thru" convenience, it would sell well. Some people don't want to give up the traditional feel, and I can definitely appreciate that; however there are plenty of people into that whole instant gratification deal so I think you do have a good size market...over time it will get larger.

I think of eBooks in this manner....there wasn't a lot of quality or availability of eBooks out when people first tested the idea. However some people purchased anyway because it was easier than going to the store, cheaper than paying shipping. Nowwww the eBook market is hot with all kinds of devices, publishers going to the format, etc. There are people who are never going to want to read their book on a laptop/reader device; then there's me who really really likes how quick it is to say I want to read "x" and hit download vs. going shopping or waiting on delivery.


Oh I forgot...the freebie patterns are usually downloads and people are taking those. HAED offers their patterns as downloads (yes an option for real pattern but the offer of the download says there must already be a market.)

Good luck!!

I quite often PREFER download versions as I can print off as many working copies as I like and use it again with a clean, fresh copy in the future. It also saves on storage and it easier to find on my computer - LOL!

I voted yes - I got my HAED as a download version, and will do for any future HAEDs I'll be buying. I liked the fact I could get it straight away, rather than waiting for it to arrive from the states - plus no need to pay for P&P.

If there was a chart sold by a UK company I may prefer a paper copy, but only if there wasn't much in price difference. If it was only on offer by download and I wanted the chart it wouldn't put me off at all.

Hope this helps!

I voted Yes. I prefer downloads - they are quicker and you have the ability to re-print, if necessary.

Unfortunately I can't see any of your latest photos!! It's probably a problem on my end so I'll be back to look again later!!

Plus .... on the previous page you and Serinde were having a chat about 'Algerian eyes', 'kloster blocks' and '12-armed diamonds' among other things .... what language were you using??!!

Ali, it isn't you -- I've removed the pics for the time being because I found them turning up on Google images, and I realised anyone could get the full-sized chart and use it; so I'm making small versions to put up here, and any forum member who would like to stitch one can PM me for a larger version. So I am now in the process of making smaller versions, and attaching a copyright notice to the larger ones, as Kell so very cleverly does (hope you don't mind me pinching that idea Kell ?)

As for the Algerian eyes, Kloster blocks and 12-armed diamonds, well, you'll have to come and do a course with me won't you ?

Seriously, Kloster blocks are the blocks of five satin stitches which border the cut areas, Algerian eyes are star-like stitches consisting of 8 or 16 stitches all going into the centre of a square (if you pull it the central hole gets larger and it all looks very lacy), and a 12-armed diamond is an eyelet stitch turned 45 degrees so it's on its point and looks like a diamond, and depending on how big the stitches are you have more or fewer arms.

Hope that helps!

I say only if I really like the design. I had a corrupted d/l from a vendor. (No longer in business AFAIK.) I wasted $25.00. Now, I'm very careful to read all the fine print associated with d/l charts.

It's a sticky situation on both ends. As a consumer, you risk not getting what you pay for, because there is no way to prove to the vendor that the chart did not d/l properly. As a vendor, you risk being scammed for refunds, because you have no way of knowing if the chart d/l-ed properly to the consumer. Involving credit card companies adds to the hassle for both sides. People shoplift from LNS and craft stores all the time. Internet fraud can be even easier with less risk.

Beautiful work Mabel. I loved the coloured algerian eyes, very effective.

You have a real talent for designing. I voted yes to download charts. Jarvis came up with a fair point but I have downloaded several designs from several online sellers and not had a problem with them.

As a website builder (which you are), an online shop for Hardanger designs should be right up your street. What are you waiting for?!

I like to download a chart, so long as I can have a pdf copy I can keep safe on my computer (remember to make backups people!).

Being able to print off, change the size of the printing, print off a working copy is very useful.

I would expect a download chart to be cheaper as the paper/printing/postage costs of a physical chart wouldn't be needed. Having said that if I did get a physical copy I would want the paper and printing to be of top quality.

Slinky wrote:What are you waiting for?!

Spare time ?

helbel, quality is one of the things I would be very careful about, I have in the past bought charts and been sent what looked like a not very good photocopy. Great design, good clear instructions, but it still felt shoddy because of its presentation -- shame when that happens.

The images in the Hardanger Design thread are back up, smaller this time so that if they do end up on Google images at least they're no good to anyone

Before getting down to some serious model stitching (my Dinky Dyes perles arrived yesterday !) I finished this little in-between project. I wanted to try out Caron's shade Eggshell in a small project, and I'd never done whipped spiderweb roses before, so I thought I'd combine them . Eggshell is a beautiful shade, cream and very soft pink and greyish blue, more like pearls really (be prepared for a pearl design to appear -- it's in the making as I write...), and I love the effect of the roses, I'll certainly be using them more often!

Stitched on 25ct beige Lugana using Caron Eggshell and DMC stranded cotton:



Oh, and I still hate buttonhole stitch -- whenever I am about to tackle it I think it can't be that bad, then when I do I remember how much I dislike it . Don't know why really, as I like the effect

I do envy your talent and skill. Beautiful buttonhole stitches. I just stitched 500 of the beggars and never approached the evenness of your work, especially with all those corners.

It's so lovely Mabel! Very soft colors and so delicate!

it's beautiful--the roses look fantastic--are they hard to make?? I'm definitely going to have to practice more of these stitches--your buttonhole stitches are perfection!!

Beautiful work as always. I do like those roses very nice!!!!!!

Karen, they're really easy! You make "spokes" using long stitch, I used 8 for these ones, then bring up quite a thick thread (I used 4 strands) near the centre of the spokes.Go round and round in the following way: over 2, back under 1, over 2, back under 1, and so on. Before you know it you've got a rose !

So beautiful, Mabel. The roses look stunning.

Thanks for the info Mabel--sounds a bit tricky--will attempt to do this up soon--and love the design, think it would make up nicely as a needle case cover

I must must must learn how to do hardanger.

Mabel, your work is beyond beautiful. Kudos to you!

That's beautiful - love the roses!

I love buttonhole stitch... it's the corners I can't stand!