Finally started my first HAED...quick questions

[Vega]

I started my first HAED last night and I was wondering how you all do the stitching. I'm using 1 over 1 full crosses.

I gridded off 10x10 squares for the first page. Fortunately there's not much confetti and I have a few good runs that span a number of squares. I'm wondering what you have found to be the most effect way of stitching.

Should I do lines, left to right, row 1, row 2, row 3, etc?
Pick a color and do the entire strand of floss, which ever way it takes me?
Work within 1 10x10 square at a time?

Then for the full crosses, have you found it better to do all of 1 side of the x, then go back later and do the other half? Or is it easier to do the full x with each stitch? Or do a row of ///// then go back and do the \\\\\, so I'm always starting each row from the left and working to the right?

[Stitch]

I work in 10x10 squares mostly, working horizontally left to right. I start with the first stitch, and then follow that color until it ends. Then I move onto the next stitch within the original 10x10 block and repeat.

When working with full crosses, I do one line of //// and then cross them on my way back. If I'm doing half crosses, I use a tent stitch. Which stitch I use just depends on the particular project.

[Serinde]

Sounds like a good plan. I would add only that if you are stitching in one colour and it ends with a few stitches in the next 10x10 square, stitch them. Not only is it a good use of a threaded needle, but it will combat the possibility that the square blocks will show in the finished piece.

[Parksfarm]

Congrats on starting your first HAED! I have been stitching on mine since the first of the year, so I'm no expert but I'm not really doing anything different on my HAEDs than on any of my other projects... I stitch elements, like a whole flower or a person, etc at a time running over from one page to another. On the one I'm doing full crosses on, I stitch them in rows and then cross on the way back. I've started my newest with tent stitches though and probably won't go back to full crosses once I'm done with my SAL piece. Have fun with your project, which one are you doing?

[Vega]

Thanks for the advice ladies!

I'm starting with Gentle Guidance:
http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index. ... e&pID=5121" target="_blank

Normally when I stitch I do it color-by-color, starting in the center. So its taking a bit of adjustment starting in the left corner and working down. Also, working in blocks, but I totally understand what that's so important on HAEDs. And changing colors. Its nice to see it come together so quickly, but I'm really nervous about mixing them up, and the constant triple checking is already slowing me down.

I was going to do a tent stitch, but the friend I'm making it for preferred the 1 stranded full cross. With the fabric I'm using I do like the full cross a bit more. (25ct Lugana) On my test fabric I thought the tent stitch looked nicer. I guess that's why its better to wait until you have the fabric you're actually using!

[Trylla]

I treat my HAEDs much like any other project ... I pick a colour and do all that I can on that page (within reason and with a little spill over onto other pages so the page lines don't show). If I had to change threads/needles etc in every 10x10 block, I'd never get any stitching done!! I'm sure if I parked then that might work, but I'm definitely more of a cross country stitcher.

As for the individual stitches, I usually do a row of //// then come back with the \\\\ part of the stitch, but occasionally I'll do each full x on it's own (especially if I need to move across the page to reach the next block of stitches).

Really, there's no right or wrong way to stitch a HAED ... it's all about personal preference.

[Vega]

Thanks for the tips! I've decided to use each 6 strand piece of floss before switching to another color.

I also wonder...has anyone worked them from the top right to the top left? I'm using tent stitches because I kept losing my stitch in the fabric. For me its easier to do those starting from the right and working backwards. But I'm having issues with those runs that go to the next page. I'm debating starting on the last page and going backwards...

[ohstitcher]

I have several HAED's on the go. Right now I am concentrating on Christmas Presence
I am working 1x1 on 25 count Lugana. I started in the middle of the chart and am working a page at a time will a few stitches above and below and to the right or left to combat the line problem showing. I don't grid and I don't park (just can't seem to get my brain wrapped around how to do that) I did start one HAED at the top and quickly found out that that wasn't for me, so I jumped all around that pattern and it has become a UFO I will get back to it one day. I also have a Golden Kite on the go and started that one top left. I worked down the column, and again to combat the line problem did a few stitches on the next page. There is no right or wrong way to stitch any of these massive projects, just have fun and enjoy.
I love your choice of chart. I also wanted to add take a lot of pictures this has helped me the most, you can see what progress you have made in a short amount of time. I usually take a pic once a week if I am doing a SAL with other boards. Join the SAL here or on HAED and you will be amazed with all the encouragement you will get from members. It helps with motivation especially if you are in a confetti heavy area and you don't think you are making progress.
Good Luck

[Vega]

Well, I started on page 6 over the weekend and I'm much happier with how its stitching up. The only problem...I have a LARGE amount of pale pale pink to stitch. I did appx 2000 stitches over the weekend, and 90% were this color. The other 10% were just a slightly different color. Its kinda mind-numbing.

I got pretty excited when I was halfway through the page...only to see that page #5 is the same way

[Pinguxxx]

Vega, great post thanks. I've been wondering exactly the same thing when I'm thinking about stitching something bigger than a postage stamp!

[Trylla]

Well, I started on page 6 over the weekend and I'm much happier with how its stitching up. The only problem...I have a LARGE amount of pale pale pink to stitch. I did appx 2000 stitches over the weekend, and 90% were this color. The other 10% were just a slightly different color. Its kinda mind-numbing.

I got pretty excited when I was halfway through the page...only to see that page #5 is the same way

You'll be wishing for easy stitching like this when you get into a few pages of really heavy confetti stitching!!