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Sooo.. since the end is in sight with my HAED, I'm starting to think about my next big piece. One possibility is to do a scarlet quince pattern maybe, with blended threads. My only concern there is that I like to stitch on high count fabrics - 28 count is just right for me for stitching 1 over 1 full crosses. Obviously with blended threads I'd have to stitch 2 strands. I don't want to go to stitching over 2 because I like the look of the teeny tiny little dots rather than actual crosses. Even stitching over 2 on 32 count makes too large a stitch for my taste for a pattern with lots of subtle shading. I want to keep my stitches as small as possible. So.. I'm wondering about tenting 2 over 1 using blended threads. Has anyone does a large piece that way? Any thoughts of why it will or won't work?

If you have done it.. please share your experiences.. or even better, some pictures!

Have you ever used or thought about 20 ct?
I played with a small piece leftover from a project. The project I stitched over 1.. but then played around with stitching over 2 on it. Too small for me- but maybe that would give you the look you are going for? My piece was white, and I am not sure how common it is, or what colorways it comes in. But just throwing it out there since you are in decision mode.

I'm not sure if I still have my little scrap of fabric- I may have tossed it out. But, can look for it if you want me to send it to you. Its only maybe 2" wide- too small to really do anything other than play around with. (which is why I think I tossed it when I was done)

MaggieM1750 wrote:Have you ever used or thought about 20 ct?
I played with a small piece leftover from a project. The project I stitched over 1.. but then played around with stitching over 2 on it. Too small for me- but maybe that would give you the look you are going for? My piece was white, and I am not sure how common it is, or what colorways it comes in. But just throwing it out there since you are in decision mode.

I'm not sure if I still have my little scrap of fabric- I may have tossed it out. But, can look for it if you want me to send it to you. Its only maybe 2" wide- too small to really do anything other than play around with. (which is why I think I tossed it when I was done)

All options are still on the table - I want to get my hands on samples of 20 and 22 count to see if I can stitch 2 over 1 on them. But someone elses post about parking while tenting got me thinking about tenting as an option. Besides, tenting would go SO much faster than full crosses!

If you do still have the scrap of fabric I'd really appreciate it I live in a craft vacuum.. my 'lns' and ONLY place in town to get any sort of craft supplies is walmart.. Some day I am going to move to somewhere that has actual stores near me, dangit!

Free samples if they are what you want

http://www.cross-stitch-heaven.co.uk/ev ... 4497-p.asp" target="_blank

http://sparklies.co.uk/index.php?cPath= ... 21e243956e" target="_blank

Ok.. so I just re-read my post.
I am all mixed up and upside down.
I was completely getting my math backwards. derrr.. stitching 20 ct over 2 would be 10 stitches to the inch.. not 40 (as I had it in my head) And now I am not sure which fabric I was playing around with. (low blood sugar?? I'm all discombobulated today and I can't seem to type correctly either) But.. I will still look for whatever "play pieces" I have and send them.

MaggieM1750 wrote:Ok.. so I just re-read my post.
I am all mixed up and upside down.
I was completely getting my math backwards. derrr.. stitching 20 ct over 2 would be 10 stitches to the inch.. not 40 (as I had it in my head) And now I am not sure which fabric I was playing around with. (low blood sugar?? I'm all discombobulated today and I can't seem to type correctly either) But.. I will still look for whatever "play pieces" I have and send them.

Mmm yeah.. you had me a little confused with that bit too.. but hey, I figured I'd go with the flow. lol.. I've been wondering if 20/22 stitches per inch would be large enough to stitch with 2 strands. I guess stitching over 2 on 40 count would also be something to look into.

I did my SQ on 22ct using 2 strands full crosses, and I plan to use the same for my Golden Kite which also has blended threads. I found that it was a quite thick tapestry like finish and occasionally I had a little trouble getting the needle through in the high confetti areas.

Here, read this:

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

I'm doing my current project on 18 ct, 2 over 1. I mentioned in another post in another thread that I wanted to try 22 ct, 2 over 1 for my next project, but that will be months from now, so I can't give you a report on that yet, so go with Tracy's recommendation on that one.

According to the SQ article, "25-count evenweave stitched over 1 using 2 strands of floss (25 stitches per inch). Fabric coverage is excellent — the stitches are densely packed in fact. The blending effect is excellent. "

So, you can use a 25 ct Lugana, have the over one "painterly" look that you like and still have excellent blending effect. It looks like, according to their floss coverage examples, that 25 ct is about the highest count that you can get away with 2 over 1. If you were a cross-country stitcher, I might have reservations about the "densely packed" stitches, but I know you're a parker.

MaggieM1750 wrote:Ok.. so I just re-read my post.
I am all mixed up and upside down.
I was completely getting my math backwards. derrr.. stitching 20 ct over 2 would be 10 stitches to the inch.. not 40 (as I had it in my head) And now I am not sure which fabric I was playing around with. (low blood sugar?? I'm all discombobulated today and I can't seem to type correctly either) But.. I will still look for whatever "play pieces" I have and send them.

I'm sorry for laughing, Maggie. I assure you that I'm laughing with you and not at you. . . .because I have days like that too (and all too often.)

I deserve it! There isn't much I take seriously... including myself.
Ah well, tomorrow will be a better day. Right? Pretty please? It's Friday- it has to be a better day.

I am doing the QS Lady Bug with a 22ct 2 over 1 full crosses and the coverage looks very good to me.. It is stitched entirely in black and, as you probably know, it is one of the thinner thread color, even if I am using Anchor black instead of DMC.
I also have some evenweave 20ct in my stash and I think it would work fine stitched 2 over 1 too. Have not started that one yet so no pic sorry.

Hi
I love 40 count fabric! This is one I'm stitching 2 over 2 on 40 count linen. It's a Renalto Parolin design called Nell'aria.

I also prefer smaller stitches, 28-32ct being my favourites. but with my SQ I found myself pleasantly pleased with how it looked on 18ct.
18 seems big when you are used to high counts but it doesnt look big when viewed from a proper viewing distance (minimum 2 ft please!) and the blending affect shows really nicely.
I have thought about using 2 over 1 on 22ct for a smaller stitch, but it will be a long time before I have another SQ start, and blended threads are the only reason I stitch with 2 strands.

I am stitching my QS Fairy with a butterfly mask on 22 count two over one full crosses and the coverage is excellent. I haven`t found that it`s too hard to get the needle through or anything and I recently started parking which makes it even better.

The Fjord Ponies piece I did was 2 over 2 on 40 ct linen. Coverage was very good and it was pretty easy since the blue floss shades contrasted well with the tan fabric but it might be harder on the eyes when floss and fabric colors are closer.

SAL thread on Fjord Ponies is here if you want to look at the pics:http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... ord+ponies

Maybe try 25ct. Lugana? The stitches will still be pretty small; but perhaps not too bulky for you when stitching 2 over 1 full cross. It really is a matter of preference.