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Newbie here and just got some OVERLY ambitious cross stitch patterns (but they sure are cool!). So here is my question and I see a similar question was posted but I really dont know the lingo ya'll are using. The pattern reads like so :
aHMzuuLf
BhhhYLSe
JfnaaLuvz
and so on and ect. None the the letters are consecutive for stitching. Do I just stitch each individually and knot it off or what do I do?? Seems like there would be some sort of an easier way to do this. All the threads are similar in color so just leaving the needles threaded wont do! I feel like a dum-dum but really need some help here! Thank you in advance! I've tried to Google this with not much luck.....

Hi 8infinity8 & welcome!

I'm not the most expierenced here, but it sounds like you want to PARK your thread...here's a good tutorial for that:

http://www.scarletquince.com/parking.php" target="_blank

It might all seem daunting at first, but there are a TON of websites out there & everyone here is VERY HELPFUL in answering questions.

Welcome, again!

aHMzuuLf
BhhhYLSe
JfnaaLuvz

Heres how I would attack it. I pick a color and follow it until my thread runs out, or I am done with it in an area.

In first line, skip the A
Start with the H and do the one in the top line and in the second (Assuming H and h are the same color).
Then go back and stitch the A in the top and bottom lines (loop start and either tuck under other A stitches, or leave tail to be caught by others in the bottom line)
Loop start and stitch the M (running tail under H and A stitches to finish)
Next would be the Z in top and bottom line- counting from your A stitches to make sure that bottom row Z stitch is in the right spot.
Or I would stitch the U in top and bottom row
Then the L's in the top and bottom rows
......

I don't ever knot my thread- either to start or finish. I run my needle under other stitches near by, or leave a tail and stitch over it with my next few stitches.
I don't carry threads over any areas that will not be stitched.
I don't start, finish, or carry threads over areas of vastly different colors- i.e. I wouldn't run a white thread under black stitches.
I am not good with parking threads- I get them all caught up and stitch through them- so I can't stitch with them again. It takes me less time to start and stop- than it would take me to untangle and unknot a parked thread.

Maggie you have a lovely way of explaining things

Since I have some charts that use both capital and lower case letters of the alphabet for different colors, I would read this chart with the H being a different color than h, etc.. I agree with the nonparking method, for myself, anyway. In this little example of 3 lines, there are 15 different colors--alot of hanging threads to keep track of.

I would do it pretty much the way Maggie described so well (wish I could explain like that),but I probably carry threads a little more though I try to never carry them over fabric that won't be stitched. What pattern are you working on?

Carole

Thank you for the suggestions! Now I need to Google "loop start" lol.....told ya I'm a newbie! I guess my question was how do I secure just one stitch.....loop start?? btw the pattern is Warhol's Pop Art Marilyn (Monroe) by Mystic Stitch.

PS I'm reading you can only loop start when using even strands (like 2) Im using 3 strands, can I still do this? What now?

No you can not use the loop method with odd number of threads you can only loop if you use even numbers.

What you can do though is leave a tail of your threads on the back side of your work then as you stitch is make sure that you catch the tail under your stitching to secure it. Once you have a few stitches completed then you can move on to anchoring your thread, this is done to both start and to stop a color. To start, on the back side, run your needle under 3 to 5 stitches and pull the tread through untill you get to the end of your thread so that no tail shows then turn back and skipping the last stitch that you just came through run the thread back under those same stitches this will hold the thread and then you can go about your stitching. To end a thread just do the same process of running the needle under the back of your stitches, and cut the thread as close as you can to the material.

so I guess tying a small knot is out of the question??????

thanks Rose, sounds logical!

Well to be honest I will still use a knot occasionally but most stitcher frown upon those.

BTW - when you have lots of single stitches of color rather than big blocks of color, it's called "confetti".

It takes more time to stitch confetti than a big block of color, but it can also make the final design really pretty.

Reta wrote:Maggie you have a lovely way of explaining things

Thanks ladies- I never know if anyone can follow my ramblings.

I wouldn't call them ramblings at all. I appreciate how clearly you explain things.

Carole

I'd do pretty much as Maggie described - pick out the colours in the block which have the most stitches and do those first - ie the h, the u and the a. You then have a few anchor points for the other colours.

Another way to start with odd numbers of threads which doesn't take up anchor points is the pinhead stitch - http://www.scarletquince.com/tips.php?s ... ring+floss" target="_blank

I use this one in my scarlet quince pattern which is very confetti heavy and it works fine (I'm stitching it on 18ct aida).

backafteradozenyrs wrote:I'm not the most expierenced here, but it sounds like you want to PARK your thread...here's a good tutorial for that:

http://www.scarletquince.com/parking.php" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

I park using that method all the time and absolutely love it, no matter how many hanging threads there are. I've tried lots of different ways of stitching confetti and always come back to this one, but I seem to be in a very small minority!!!!!

As you're working with three strands, have you considered using a laying tool or trolley needle (if you don't already) to keep them parallel? Here's a video for how to use a laying tool:
http://www.needlenthread.com/2010/11/ho ... video.html" target="_blank" target="_blank
A trolley needle is similar, but fits over your fingertip like a thimble (apologies if you already know that!)