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If you have the JCS 2011 ornaments issue I am working the Christmas Cat Tree by Brittercup Designs, the pattern of which is on page 42. The directions indicate that the cat's whiskers & eyes are to be done in long stitch. I've never done long stitch before but I get the concept. What I don't get, however, is how I'm supposed to (A) hide the thread ends, & (B) move from one stitch to the next without having the back thread show through the almost white linen. The only thing I can think of is to do each stitch separately & then just tie the ends behind each one although this, too, will probably show on the front.

Any ideas?

Blessings,
Shirlee
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Having a look at the website, and the sorts of Britty Kitties are shown there. I presume you just follow the design, beginning the stitch at the cat's cheek to the point where the stitch ends on the design. I might be tempted to do all of the whiskers on each side (don't know how many -- 3?) with one length of fibre. This minimises starting and stopping on a design that might be little more than an outline. (In these instances I've often thought glue would help... heresy!)

What's the thickness of the fibre? Is it one strand of something like DMC? It shouldn't show through a higher count fabric (28ct or higher) unless you are really looking for it. And a lot depends on how the ornament is made up.

Of course, what you could do is go to the website and ask the designer. Really! They usually are very happy to help.

I think I found the ornament picture. very cute. I agree with Serinde if it is the cat's whiskers you are concerned about. three long stitches on each side? I would probably do each side with one strand and do the shortest distance between the whiskers going from one to the next. Does that make sense? It would minimize the thread that might show through, but I think that would be less than trying to do one at a time and then knotting the thread. There was a post at one time about a special way of finishing off single cross stitches but I can't find it now. Maybe someone else will remember. I am looking forward to seeing how the ornament turns out.

Carole