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So I have at least one skein of every colour I need and more of some, I have my chart, the fabric (cut to size), new needles, a fabric marker ... what could possibly be holding me back from starting?

GRIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may remember, I bought a pen. The pen snapped. I bought two more ... sorted!
I started to grid my fabric ... pen came out too thick going over more than one line of holes. Washed fabric, marker not quite out, rewashed. Marker out ...phew!
Rethinks gridding ... must be me not being careful enough.
Got a ruler so that only those lines could be covered ... nope, same happens. It's too thick!!!!!

Any tips that will help me please? I've tried hardly touching the fabric, but the marker spreads a little as it touches.
I'm desperate to start this project, but I really wanted to grid this time. Is there a knack to gridding, am I missing something?

What brand of pen is it? I just bought one that is amazing. It's a light blue color and is fine enough to only cover one row of 25ct evenweave. Once I get home from school (in about 6 hours) I can tell you the exact brand.

Thank you.
Hmm, just looked. No brand name, just 'water erasable pen' Japan written on it.
I'm working on 28ct. I think this pen would be great on a lower count, just not 28.

Hi I use a Prym branded pen and it works really well

http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/product_352340015.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank

Kerry

I've had trouble using a gridding pen on 28 ct fabric myself, all I can think of is resorting to thread for gridding the piece up.

I use the fine tip from sewandso and its ok on 25ct but I havent tried it on 28ct..

I looked on sewandso but I couldn't find any pens. I can't have been looking in the right place.

Did you look under Haberdashery? I found these. Are they suitable?

Sorry it wont let me put a link up

In the search box just put marker and it comes up. Its called a Clover Marking Tools and Ill try the link again http://www.sewandso.co.uk/cgi-bin/find/ ... 45143&ww=1" target="_blank" target="_blank

It worked that time

I used this one to grid my castle project and that was on 36-count linen. I tried a different pen before that and the lines were too thick, but this one worked like a charm!

Thanks so much for all the help.
I ordered a fine line last night and I'm hoping it gets here quickly as I can't wait to actually get started on this now!

Glad your sorted TB

I grid as I go along now and it stops me going x eyed! Once I'm really sure of where Im starting from I just grid a small section and add more as I come to it.
I also find gridding easier once the fabric is in the frame or hoop and stretched tight as it opens the holes and makes it easier to see. It works for me

Cant wait to see your start on this one

Hope this pen works well for you.Haven't seen the Clover pen before only the other make.I don't do sq boxes anymore when gridding just a line across the fabric every 10 rows,if that makes sense..Hope to see your start soon.

Or if you are really fed up with gridding use magic aida instead.