I suddenly want to take up Cross Stitching!

[foolonthehill]

I know a few of you on here do it, so I was wondering do you all have some tips or tricks for a beginner? Also (not that I'm anywhere close to it yet) when you do your own pattern, and lets say there is a lot of empty space left on the canvas or linen or whatever, do you stitch white into that or do you just let it be

Comments

[dinnercakes]

Yep! I've done a lot of counted cross-stitch kits

[dinnercakes]

Oh and about the negative space, you just leave the natural cloth color showing. You certainly could fill it with white if you chose, but there's usually no need. Just try to keep your hands clean. No Cheetos while stitching. LOL.

[foolonthehill]

used your advice on doing one color at a time on my first kit today and so far its working great! Though I am finding it hard to find the X sometimes, though I think its just cause I made my stitching to big or something. For my first try its coming out okay heh

How long did it take you to go from stamped to counted (if you ever did stamped at all) and any advice for the day I try counted out?

[foolonthehill]

The one thing that I can't seem to wrap my head around is how does the thread keep from getting lose and falling out when you don't knot anything? I have never really done any type of sewing or needle stuff or anything so sorry if this is super basic XD

Thanks for the info! I can't wait to get a set tomorrow and get started :D I'm sure more questions will come up. I ahve a hard time when I am just reading and figuring things out on my own, I work better when I can ask questions and get tips on what to do

[softpaw]

You weave the thread in the stitching on the backside that no one sees to keep it from coming out

[foolonthehill]

I see DMC come up a lot so I'm guessing its the thread that most people like the most?

I picked up one of those "HEY YOU WANT TO CROSS STITCH GREAT!!" kits today at Joann's that came with everything, even simple easy kid like instructions which is Perfect for me! So far I have been working on it all day and just having a blast! Though (and if this is a silly question I'm sorry) how hard is it to go from simple stamped patterns like this to counted stitching? I ask because most of the stamped I found were ones that just weren't all up my ally, but I did just go to one place, but the counted ones looked like lots of fun!

Thanks for all the advice I'm sure Ill have more questions!

[softpaw]

yes DMC is the more commonly found.

It CAN be tricky. I've never really done the printed kinds but they can give you a good feel for the stitches.

With a blank canvas one you have to find the center and then go out from that to know where to start. They should give you some instructions in the kits and I know the books tell you as well.

It's the counting part of counted cross stitch. When you try those go with the really SMALL stuff first and work up.

[softpaw]

.....Rinsing the thread? I've NEVER done that and I've been cross stitching since I was in my single digits...

[dinnercakes]

I'm a fan of it because once my work got dirtied by accident. A glass of tea got dumped on me and I had to try to wash the work. All of the reds bled like crazy and ruined the piece even further.

[foolonthehill]

and again a big thank you for all this advice!