How many strands of floss do you use

[*barb*]

Most of my work has 2 strands of thread. However, i have done one that was anchor colours but converted to DMC and used two strands because I never read the instructions and it said to use 3. However, it looks fine.

Now I am doing a pattern that was 18 count so I am using 14 count and a friend of mine said to use 1 strand more than they say. so, where it is one strand I use 2 and where it is 2 I use three. This is the first time I have done this.

It does give it a tighter finish and when I compare it to the ones that have 2 strands I can see a bit of difference but not much to be honest, especially after it's washed and framed.

What do others do? I'm just wondering if I am wasting thread. My friend does all her cross stitches in 3 strands.

[kell]

I most often use 2 threads, but I'm planning on doing some smaller projects on evenweave that will be over 1, rather than over 2, and I think I'll be doing those in single strands for the higher counts, but I'll see come the time.

[mags]

I am a 14# aida, two strands of thread sort of girl ( erm ...perhaps not girl!)
As I have a bit of a struggle with arms and hands I find that three strands is too difficult for me. I too have done a design that called for three strands but didn't read the instructions till I was half way through, and in the end I just did the lavender flower heads in three and the rest in two and this gave it a great effect. If you are fussy about coverage (I'm not) then three strands would look wonderful.

[crystaltigress]

i have done a number of projects in 14 aida where 2 strands was plenty. i think once you get into 18 aida, 3 would be better.
i myself am pondering this same question with the 26 evenweave i am getting ready to work on... the chart calls for 2 strands... but i'm wondering if one wouldnt be enough....

[Rose]

Well as Mags has said I am a 14ct, 2 strands type of stitcher this has always served me well.

The poppies I am doing currently has said to use 1, 2, 3, 4 to give the different dimensions. But since this one is going to have the words written over top I really don't want all of that so I am going to do it all in 2 strands. Only because of the effect I want to have in the end.

[*barb*]

I think I may stick to 2 in the future. the one I am doing at the moment has 1, 2, 3, so i went up by one for each one and TBH, it looks really good but it's also doing my head in cause I keep forgetting to go up one on some colours and honestly doubt it has made a difference.

This is the first time I have done a dimensions gold picture and also the first time i have used a different count that is specified.

I prefer 14 count. I'll compare the two I am doing ( the other on 14 count with 2 strands) when I have finished.

Oh, I am also thinking of putting those really tiny beads on in the same colour as the french notes. It's a shell picture with star fish in it. Also thinking of using some pearl thread..will see how I go.

[Cockneystitcher]

I have always used 2 strands on 14 Aida with no problems and i use 2 for 18 Aida 3 strands i think would be to thick as its a smaller square.

[Becca]

In 14, 16 or 18 count i have used 2 strands, and for 28 count i'm using 1 strand.

[minij]

I always use 2 strands for 14, 16, and 18ct. I have some 20, 22, and 25ct and will do test pieces to see whethter I like 1 or 2 strands for each of those. I think it just depends firstly on the chart and also how densley you like it stitched

[agi]

I usually use 2 starnds on 14 and 16 count (haven't tried 18 yet).

But I have done a poppy bookmark that asked for 1, 2 and 3 - actually, instead of 3 I used only 2, because it seemed too bulky, but I stitched the poppy petals with 1 and 2, and it gave a wonderful effect.

Also, do you remember Threadbear's Owls? I think she used 1, 2 and 3 strands for it and it looks great, I am sure it is in her gallery. So in some cases it is worth following such directions - it depends on the effect you want to achieve.

[lwelizabeth]

I usually use 2 strands of floss (on 12-14 ct. Aida). Seems the majority of us do. Lately I've been experimenting with using more or less, and have been pleased with the outcomes. I'd say to use however many you're comfortable with, or however many strands you feel will have the best result. I find I'm starting to vary with the number of strands per project as well.

[maggs]

For 14 to 18 I use 2 strands on 22 I use 1 strand.

[crystaltigress]

my correction.... i was thinking of 11 when i posted the 3 strand thing.... i must have had a brain sieze. LOL!!!

[Serinde]

I would use 2 strands on 18ct (16 and 14, also, although depending on texture, 3 strands on 14ct work well, particularly for bookmarks and things that will be handled a lot). The technique of "railroading" to encourage the threads to lie side by side will enhance coverage.

[Lisa]

i use 2 strands for everything i dont like working in odd numbers cuz i use the loop method, so even numbers are a must with me

[nettie]

I always use two strands I have never done a chart that required more in the instructions

[kerbear879]

Okay I am the oddball. I use 3 strands on 18ct. I love really good coverage and just found over time that I like the way 3 strands look on 18ct. Both HAED's I am working on right now are done using 3 strands over 1 on 18ct.

[Sarah Gixxer]

I always use 2 strands on 14, 16 and 18 count. The only time I have used 3 strands was on my Christmas Sampler on 14 count, just because I wanted it to have even better coverage than normal. On my HAED on 25 count I'm still using 2 strands, but only stitching tent stitch instead of full crosses - if I did full crosses on such a high count fabric I would use 1 strand.

[Dazbo666]

I tend to use 18ct Aida most often, and I find that 2 strands provides sufficient coverage. On the rare occasion that I use 14ct, I'd probably be tempted to use 3 strands

[McDLT]

I prefer 2 strands. My daughter is almost finished her first kit and it's done on 11ct and said 3 strands. I told her to use only 2 to make it easier for her, so I could teach her a few 2 strand tricks and if she made a mistake, it wouldn't be as hard to fix and she'd have plenty of floss to play with. She's noticed the difference between the picture and her work, but as she studied it, she said it looked just fine and "normal" people wouldn't be able to tell the difference.