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Most people on here seem to grid with pen on 25ct - but I am one of the exceptions. I use sulky sliver metallic thread to grid my projects. Although I haven't used it on 25ct I am planning on using it on 28ct and lots of people that stitch HAEDs use it to grid 25ct. It is a ribbon like metallic thread that is non divisible so you can not accidentally pierce it when you are stitching - it slides out really easily too. Some people avoid colours like red as they have found them to bleed into the fabric - on the other hand other stitchers have had no issues. I use gold and silver - one colour for gridlines and one colour for page borders.

HTH

I used just regular sewing thread (picked up a spool at Michaels because it's what they had) to grid my Elementals on 25 ct. Since it's cotton thread, I do have problems splitting the thread with my needle so I'm pulling out the thread as I get to it. I have to admit, I am going to try doing it with a pen for my next project to see which way I prefer because it took me forever to stitch all of those gridlines .

mechie

I just use whatever thread is at hand. Right now I am using 1 strand of embroidery floss in a color not in the design. I tend to clip out sections as I come to it. And I didn't grid the whole design at once, just enough to get started, then when I thought I needed more guidance I added more. I am afraid that I would have pen marks all wiggly and all over the place. I don't think I see a problem with what the count of the fabric is, it is still a grid of 10by 10. I also just do a basting type stitch, I don't try to mark every hole. Sometimes just having the mark close by helps me know that I am still where I am supposed to be. I mostly stitch on 14 ct aida or 28 evenweave. Although I think I recently did a kit that was 16ct.