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My Lavender & Lace Angel of Christmas newly-begun WIP has a couple of elements I've not met before: #4 Kreinik braid, and Rainbow Wisper.

1) the directions just generally say 2 over 2 except on face and hands. So I tried doing the braid 2- ply, but it looked suspiciously bulky. Then my wife told me that braid is always understood as 1-ply. Is this correct?

2) I want to wait and do the white wisper areas (large contiguous areas, like fat furry trim on the sleeves of the robe) because I'm concerned more about it getting more chance to get dingy. Is this okay? Or since it's combined with regular floss, could I fill in first with DMC and then come back over it toward finishing time?

(And I do mean come back over, not comb/brush over.)

Kreinik braid is used as it comes off the reel. Don't double it up! Gives a really sparkly effect.

Hi, Russ! For the Kreinik, use it as it comes. It's already set up for you. If the Kreinik starts misbehaving, try Treasure Braid--the petite version. LOVE! I would wait to do the metallics until all of the regular Xstitching is done. I've found it helpful to have a needle just for metallic fibers, as they tend to scratch up the eye of needles.

For the Whisper thread, yes, I generally do that, too. Doing whisper last, just before beading but after metalics, keeps it cleaner and also keeps the fuzzies from getting stuck everywhere else. Try a tent stitch and see if you like the coverage over the DMC portion.

Post some photos as you go, so we can all ooooh and aaaaah over your lovely work!

I will try. And I appreciate your optimism!

speart wrote:If the Kreinik starts misbehaving, try Treasure Braid--the petite version. !

So far, 202 behaves ok, 002, not so much.

speart wrote:Post some photos as you go, so we can all ooooh and aaaaah over your lovely work!

Will try. And your optimism is appreciated!