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Been stitching for about the last ten or so years on 14 count and I thought I would like to try 28 count . so I went and bought the fabric and made my pattern . well turns out I am having a rough time of it . it's nothing like the 14 count easy at first but than once I get a block of 100 stitches ALMOST filled in I have a rough time with the last couple of stitches because the fabric is so packed and tiny that I can't seem to get the needle in . Am I doing something wrong here or is 28 count just really that hard to stitch on ? I tried a different needle cause my dull point ones were breaking on me , got a sharp one so it goes tru but it is still very hard to pull tru . Am I not ready for 28 count ? Should I stick with 14 count ? Any tips would be sooo helpful .

Hi and Welcome.

I love 28ct evenweave and stitch 2 (strands of cotton/silk) over 2 threads of fabric. If you are stitching 2 over 1 it will be very tight and I wouldn't like to try 3 (of threads) over 2 fabric.

Would love to see some of your work - we love seeing pictures of what people are working on.

the fabric is Monaco fabric I think it is one tread . yes i am using two strands just like i do with my 14 count .

I found that when using higher counts, 22 or 25 or 28, if I am using two strands of thread I need to be stitching over 2 threads of the fabric. Using 1strand of thread is much easier and I like the coverage. I am restarting a piece, which I had already stitched 7 pages, because was impossible to get the needle through the fabric (25 count), if I were to use 2 strands again, I would do tent stitch instead of full crosses.

Carole

If you're stitching full cross over 1, I'd try with just one strand. I'd also check what size needle you're using...I've found 28 count needs a size or two smaller needle than 14 ct.

I second the suggestion to try one strand (if you need blended thread I find putting one colour on the bottom half of the cross and one on top works in most cases). Or alternatively go over two on the fabric.

28ct is not for everyone. I prefer 18ct myself.

I've used 28ct for lots of things over the years. If you are stitching over two threads in each direction with two strands of floss, you should have the exact result as if you had stitched on 14ct. Same size stitch and everything. It sometimes takes a bit of time to get your tension right because your tendency will probably be to pull too tightly at first.

It sounds to me as if you are stitching "over 1", which would account for the density of the stitching.

Monaco is made of fairly thick threads and a rather tight weave to begin with. If you were stitching over-one with two threads, I'd say you did well to get as far as you did. Like the others, I'd suggest trying one thread over-one and see if it gives you enough coverage.

Jarvis

28 count is lovely to stitch with - did you think that it was going to be the same as 14 count but the holes would not be so visible? If so you are doing nothing wrong except you have to stitch with two strands (like on 14 count) but over two threads not one thread - two strands of 28 equals one 14 count hole, have another go with 2 over 2 - or 1 over 1 which will come out tiny and half the size of course, but if you do 2 over 2 it should look and feel exactly the same as 14 count, hope it helps if not come back and say what is wrong and I am sure someone will help out?

going to try stitching with just one strand on the 28 count . this means I will have to rip out all the stitches I have done so far , any one have any advice on how I do that cause they are really hard to pull out lol .

Frogging on 28 count:

Forget trying to reuse the thread. Get some very sharp pointy embroidery scissors and CAREFULLY cut the stitches out without cutting the fabric. Cut a stitch and then use a needle to get what you can out then cut again.

You could also try using a seam ripper.

After it's all out use some sellotape to get rid of the fluff left on the fabric.

I'm still a bit unclear about whether y ou're stitching over 2 threads at once, which would make it the same size as 14 count. I've done that several times with Monaco and it was great to work with.

If you're stitching over just one thread, I can understand why it would be so tight! Good luck sorting it out.

I must have some really awful embroidery scissors cause that is alway how i have took out stitches and i cant seem to get this pair to do the job . I used to have a seam ripper but I lost it years ago . sigh back to the hobby store I go to get some better embroidery scissors

get a seam ripper while you're there -- very useful article!

I agree, use a seam ripper, I had to take out several stitches the other day that had other stitches worked around them and the only way possible that I could get them out was with a seam ripper, just be very careful that you only get the floss and not the fabric

If you are only stitching over one thread, that is why it is so tight, as others have pointed out. But you also need to be aware the finished size will be smaller. I think 14 vs 28 is about the same to work, if you stitch over 2. There are a lot of good ideas already presented. Good Luck with your project.