About to start HaED Celestial Night - nervous times

[monkey9]

Hi everyone . I've been looking for a cross-stitch as a bit of a challenge but I'm having a bit of a worry about fabric.
I've bought a large piece of 25ct dublin linen and the instructions advise to stitch over 1 thread which I've never done before.
Does anyone have any advise as whether I should change to a 20ct Aida or similar as it's 400x510 stitches so will be too big if I decide to stitch over 2 threads?
Has anyone stitched this picture and can help or has stitched over 1 on the 25ct Dublin?
I'll post pictures once I've started.
thanks
Jill in Ivybridge, Devon.

[Fljotsdale]

I am currently stitching over 1 on Zweigart's 25ct Dublin linen. I'm still on page 1! I haven't been stitching it for long, and it is my very first HAED too. I'll post a link here in a moment, so you can see what it looks like. The stitches are VERY small, and I'm stitching 2 over 1 cos I prefer the coverage.
I use a magnifying lamp cos my eyesight is rubbish - but even with good eyesight I would probably use a magnifier lamp; makes it much easier to see what you are doing!
Don't get cold feet! It's lovely to see the slow development of your picture, and to know there are NO fractional stitches and NO backstitching!

Here is my latest update, so you can see the size of stitches:


It's just background at the moment - I don't get to anything interesting until the bottom of page 2!

[rcperryls]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am stitiching an HAED 2 over 1 on a 25 ct evenweave, but not linen. The coverage is great though the stitches are a bit tight. I'd probably opt for 1 over 1 next time as I am doing 2 that are 1 over 1 on 22 ct. The best suggestion I have is to test on a few different fabrics and counts at 2 over 1 and 1 over 1 and see what you are most comfortable with and which one has the coverage you like.

I love these designs and have a lot of fun stitching them. I will be looking forward to your updates. Remember you can always come here for advice and encouragement. There is also an HAED Bulletin Board with tremendous tips and advice. You can join it through a link on the HAED website.

Carole

[monkey9]

thanks for the advise. I'll do a couple of test rows as I've got loads of fabric. I've asked my husband for a daylight lamp for my birthday so I don't get too much eye strain looking at the size of those stitches!
thanks again.

[Fljotsdale]

Make sure it has a magnifier!

[rcperryls]

Make sure it has a magnifier!

excellent advice. I second that.

Carole

[BookNerd]

I'm currently working on 2 HAED designs. Both I'm doing on 28 count lugana, 1 over 1. The coverage is great, and I haven't had any problems. Don't be nervous! You'll get the hang of it in no time.

[Squirrel]

Hi and Welcome. I agree about making sure your lamp has a magnifier with it or you will eventually get eye strain. Good on you for giving it a go.

Sally

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Hi Jill and welcome from over the Tamar

HAEDs are a big time commitment, so it really does pay to make sure you are happy with your fabric choice and thread coverage, the test stitching as Carole, suggested really does pay off! On any chart I'm of the point of view that the fabric listed (and sometimes the thread!) is only a suggestion. This is certainly the case with HAEDs as if you look on the HAED BB (a tremendous source of info!) you will see people stitching on 14ct aida to 40ct linen. Once you have your combination sorted, it's just one cross at a time and they are an absolute joy to stitch, the charting is amazing !