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New and wondering about sizing!

5141 views 9 replies Latest reply: November 12, 2022 at 7:33:46 PM

Member since:
Sep 20, 2018
Posts: 1

mpiatt message #1
New and wondering about sizing!
September 20, 2018 at 9:43:58 AM

Hey there stitchers!

I am new to cross stitch, I just taught myself how to do it last month! I am a recent college graduate working a desk job and all of my friends at work want me to teach them to stitch, although I do not think I am qualified enough to teach them yet! I have a few questions I am sure many beginners have. Please forgive any wrong vocabulary that I use, as I am still learning the nomenclature of the hobby.

(1) How can I know what size ring to use for a pattern- I have been employing the use of guessing and some basic math, but what should I be on the lookout for on patterns that would indicate what size of a ring to use?

(2) What should I use to tack down the excess cloth around the ring when I am finished with a pattern?

(3) I have been using the 14 size cloth and using either 2 or 3 strands for stitching. Is this what folk's typically used? I prefer to use 3 over 2 but I wasn't sure if the thick stitch would create problems for me down the line.

Thanks!
-M

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Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
September 20, 2018 at 10:07:17 PM (in response to mpiatt message #1)

Welcome!

Congrats on learning cross stitch...it's such a fun thing to do and there are so many options for projects!

If by saying "ring," you mean hoop, you can try to find one large enough to fit your entire project, but that will only work if you have an extra large piece of fabric, or only part of your project will be in the hoop. You can also use a smaller hoop that fits your fabric, but then you must keep readjusting if it only shows part of your project.

If you're using Aida cloth, a lot of that is very stiff and often needs no hoop at all.

There's also another option if you really feel you need a hoop. There are frames called Q-Snaps. I personally have a few different sized sets and love them! They're made of PVC pipe and they have a piece that holds the fabric on pretty securely! There's no need to reposition the frame, like with a hoop, as they allow for maximum fabric showing. Simply get the right size for your project, snap it on, and go. I've used my frames for linen, especially very coarsely woven linen that absolutely needs a hoop. With a hoop the project would have taken much longer, but with the Q-Snaps, it was easy!

When you mention tacking down the excess cloth around the ring, are you talking about using a hoop to frame your finished work?

I've mostly used 2 strands for stitching on 14 count. I've used 3 strands on 14 count, as well, with no problems. I'd say it's more a matter of preference. Some people like better coverage, some are satisfied with two strands.

I mainly prefer two strands because there's a little trick to starting with no ends, and it requires an even number of strands. So working with 3 strands looked really nice...LOL, but it drove me batty, because there were more ends to work in!

Hope that answers your questions!

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

Member since:
Jun 20, 2015
Posts: 5

eathcliff message #3
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
August 7, 2019 at 12:41:10 PM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #2)

Hi Admin, and everyone, my name is Dave and my username on here is "eathcliff". I'm new too and Ive been sifting through this web site to glean tips and tricks.
My question is..........
If I thread 2 lengths of floss through my needle, then knot the 4 ends together to start stitching, am I using 4 ply or 2 ply?
I can't get my head around this, but need to get sorted and order the correct number of skeins for my project.
Many thanks..................

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Jul 1, 2009
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Stitchboard Admin message #4
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
August 8, 2019 at 1:08:18 AM (in response to eathcliff message #3)

Dave,

Welcome!

What you're essentially is talking about is two plies of thread, doubled, which means you're using 4 ply.

It's essentially the same as taking your floss and cutting it to whatever length for stitching, then stripping 4 plies of the six and threading them through your needle.

Though please...I hope you're using knots for the sake of your example and you won't actually be using knots in your work?

Member since:
Jun 20, 2015
Posts: 5

eathcliff message #5
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
August 8, 2019 at 8:30:49 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #4)

Hello and thanks for the rapid reply! (Melanie)?

So, if I'm pulling 2 plies of thread it's 2 ply, right, gottit!
I was using 2 plies of thread doubled over, but thinking that was still 2 ply because I was only using 2 pieces. That explains why my stitching was "tight" using 14 AIDA material!
Consequently, with the next project I used 3 ply "not so tight" but I had a lot of problems pulling the needle off the thread inadvertently. I must admit to using a knot when starting to stitch but that didn't seem to cause any unsightly lumps, is that a "NO - NO"?

What do you recommend using 14 AIDA and DMC cotton, 2 ply (and no knots)?
Which size needle should I be using? I only have one and I don't know what it is.

regards Dave

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Jul 1, 2009
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Stitchboard Admin message #6
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
August 9, 2019 at 8:56:56 AM (in response to eathcliff message #5)

Dave,

Yes, using 4 plies on 14 count Aida will be very tight. I usually recommend 2 ply for 14 count Aida.

3 ply isn't terrible, but I've always preferred 2!

Technically, you're not supposed to knot your thread. It can cause lumps. The thing is, I wouldn't worry about getting too purist. If you're happy with it, that's what counts! The idea is to weave in all ends to avoid lumps, though. And there's a wonderful trick to starting your thread with a loop instead of a knot (but only if you're using an even number of strands, so two or four will work with this, but not three). I hope this illustration is clear enough:

https://www.thecrossstitchguild.com/cross-stitch-basics/cross-stitch-basics/how-to-do-a-knotless-loop-start.aspx

Ends should be woven in, not knotted. But again, if you're happy with it, no worries!

For 14 count, yes, I'd recommend 2 ply. The type of needle to use would be a tapestry needle; it's a blunt-ended needle. It won't pierce your fabric in odd spots, as a sharp needle would. (A sharp needle is useful for applying beads, but for floss, you don't want your stitches going all wonky by using a sharp needle and piercing the wrong spots!) The size of tapestry needle for 2 ply on 14 count Aida would be a size 24.

Hope that helps!

Member since:
Jun 20, 2015
Posts: 5

eathcliff message #7
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
August 9, 2019 at 12:15:06 PM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #6)

Thanks Melanie, that's a great help!
I have found 97 skeins of DMC which I would like to use on my next project (if possible).
I'm sure there is a "stich chart" website which will incorporate my stock of DMC into the pattern but I can't find it now.

Can you help? or can you suggest which blog I should use for this topic?
Many thanks, Dave

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Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #8
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
August 9, 2019 at 9:47:47 PM (in response to eathcliff message #7)

Dave,

So glad I could help!

If you're talking about making a pattern from a photo or artwork, you can use our freePatternWizard. You can access that by using the top menu and choosing pattern/create a pattern. Then in #5a you can choose the DMC palette and in 5b you can choose, "I will choose my colors (select to see the colors)."

If you're talking about creating a pattern from scratch, I'm sorry to say that every site I used to use for that purpose is gone.

I haven't yet found a replacement. At some point we'll be including this capability in the freePatternWizard, but for now I'm sorry to say it's not available.

Member since:
Jun 20, 2015
Posts: 5

eathcliff message #9
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
August 10, 2019 at 2:43:21 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #8)

Thanks Melanie, I'll let you know how I get on with that plan. Hopefully you'll be able to see the results on my Showcase (eventually)!

Best wishes,, Dave

Member since:
Nov 2, 2022
Posts: 10

DAPPY message #10
Re: New and wondering about sizing!
November 12, 2022 at 7:33:46 PM (in response to mpiatt message #1)

why are you using 4ply

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