HAED fabric suggestions & DMC 032?

[kouneli]

So it says to stitch on either 18ct aida (resulting in the pattern being too large for what I want) or 25ct linen.
I've never stitched on linen before and would rather stitch this pattern with something I'm familiar with. Would 25ct aida work? Do they even make 25ct aida? lol
I was going to use a 28ct aida found at Michael's, but the fabric itself is too small for the pattern...by a couple of inches I'm obviously going to have to order this online.
So what type/count of fabric would you all recommend? Should I go ahead and do it on the 25ct linen? How different is linen from regular aida?

EDIT: Also, I've never worked with DMC 032 (and know it's a metallic thread). It says nothing about what color to use it in conjunction with. Is it used just by itself? Or do I use it with another color? I've used metallics in a kit before, but these were used with another thread color.

[Rose]

The smallest that aida fabric goes is 20 count and that is very very hard to find. All other counts that are smaller then that are evenweaves. Since I am an aida snob I can not advise you on the other fabrics as I don't use them. There are many that do use the evenweaves and they are sure to chime in. If you would like a better explaination of the fabrics you can look in here http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=476" target="_blank Mabel did a fabulous job of describing many of the fabrics that stitches use.

[JulieBean]

If you really want to stitch your HAED on aida would using 22ct hardanger fabric be an option? I'm not entirely sure about it but I believe it's very similar to aida but it uses only two strands for the weave rather than the 4 aida does.

[Parksfarm]

Hi Kouneli - congrats on starting your first HAED! Any of the evenweaves, Lugana, Jobelan, Jubilee, Monaco, Brittany, etc are going to stitch up very similar to Aida. For me, I prefer a tighter weave for my HAEDs than you normally will get with linen and you don't have the uneven, thick and thin threads with an evenweave... My preference for HAEDs is 28 count evenweave, I'm not really particular which one. If you can, I would suggest joining the HAED bulletin board. There are all kinds of topics regarding stitching HAEDs and the people are very helpful there as well. Test stitching with various count of fabrics will probably be your best bet. You don't want to stitch several pages of a piece and then decide you can't stand the fabric.

The DMC 032 is actually Krenik #4 braid and is used as is, one ply right off the spool by itself. Some folks prefer to substitute other metallics for the Krenik but I don't mind it at all...

Hope this helps - feel free to ask as many questions as you want, we'll always jump in to help!

[kouneli]

Thanks everyone . Might do 28ct evenweave, but we'll see how it goes with another project that will be coming before the HAED (kit that includes 28ct evenweave...we'll see how I like it).

As for stitching, I should do 1 strand over 1, correct? I don't particularly like doing over 2 unless it calls for 1/4 or 3/4 stitches (then the hole is already there lol)...and I know that HAED doesn't call for other stitches...at least not this one from what I've read of the chart already. So I do realize that it will make the finished product slightly smaller than the chart says dimensions would be, which I'm fine with...cheaper framing

As for the HAED forum, I'll look into it when I get the time (or urge...whichever comes first) to do it lol. Thank you for that info.

[Lessa54]

On stitching, it's really a matter of preference. It's a good idea to do some test lines if you haven't stitched a full coverage piece on evenweave before so that you know what you prefer before you get too far into it. HAED recommends stitching 2 over 1 on 25 ct, but I find that far too tight and uncomfortable. I'm doing my HAED 1 over 1 on 25 ct which is fine, though I do have to watch the tension for coverage. On 28ct, if you stitch over 2 you'd end up with a piece the same size as if you stitched it on 14ct aida. If stitching over 1 then I'd definitely use 1 strand if you're doing full cross - personally I don't think it would be possible to do 2 strand over 1 on 28 ct full cross Many people tent stitch HAEDs though, in which case you might want to use 2 or more strands depending on your coverage preference.

Loads of tips on the HAED BB though.

[nachosmiley]

Definitely try out a few fabrics first....it is THE most important thing when starting your first HAED, everyone has different preferences and it will take a bit of trial and error to find which thread/fabby combination is right for you. I will say that the majority of HAED stitchers (on the BB at least) don't like to use linen as it tends to distort more and the slubs in the fabric makes the designs more difficult to stitch.

I usually use a 28cnt evenweave and stitch 2 over 1 tent....I do like that combination and tenting certainly does speed up the process...especially for a big project! I have also used 20cnt evenweave 2 over 1 full cross and that looks good too...but I may try 18cnt aida for one soon....quite like the idea of making the piece a bit bigger!!
Good luck starting out on your HAED journey....and dont forget to post your progress so we can all over your stitching!!

[rcperryls]

I completely agree about the fabric. I am going to be restarting my first HAED (after completing nearly 7 pages and you don't want to do that) because 2 over 1 on 25 ct became way too bulky and tight and difficult once I started using anything other than DMC black. Test your fabric with a variety of colors so you can make a decision about which fabric and how many strands you like the best. I am doing several with different cts and fabrics and have to adjust from 18 ct afghan evenweave 2 over 1 to 25 ct evenweave 1 over 1. I have done 25 ct 2 over 1 tent stitch but wasn't that happy with the coverage though everyone else who saw it thought it was fine. And I also think that when you get the chance, joining the BB will give you lots of ideas and options and tips that are very helpful.
PLEASE post lots of picks. We love to encourage and as nacho said over your stitching.

Carole

[Serinde]

Whilst I'm getting along fine with 25ct linen (Belfast), I will probably do other HAEDs in my stash on lugana, which doesn't distort so easily and is a more regular weave. I like the linen, though, partly because it isn't regular -- much of my design is natural things (trees, plants, etc), so irregularity isn't really an issue. Anyway, the stitches are so darned small, who's going to notice??

Again, I don't find Kreinik hard to work with, and I particularly like the results of using an opalescent thread for a bit of winter sparkle, as well as a subtle 3-D effect. Guess it all depends on the effect you are trying to achieve.