The above potting shed window is an experiment with 28 count stitched 1 over 1 as a test for "A Long Winter's Nap" which I started on 25 count lugana, 2 over 1. I soon found 2 over 1 to be too crowded and unpleasant to stitch so then I tried 1 over 1 - not enough coverage. I bundled it away into the attic and re-started on 18 count, 2 over 1, Still not enough coverage so I tried 3 strands. I like the coverage at that, but I can't say as I like stitching with 3 strands so I investigated the possibility of just tent stitching it. Thus began an experimentation in the top left corner, after which I have decided to order a 28 count to try 1 over 1 and a 22 count to try 2 over 1. I will certainly have plenty of fabric kicking about afterwards. Maybe this year would be a good year to make all my own stitched christmas cards!
The clickable thumbnail is my experiment on A Long Winter's Nap. The stitches circled in red are full crosses, 2 strands. The stitches circled in green are full crosses, 3 strands. Yellow circle is half cross stitch, various strands, 6 gave the best coverage but wasn't very nice to stitch, and finally, the pink is back to full crosses, 2 strands but I deliberately tried to alter my tension.
Of course, in reality you view a picture from a few feet away and so I am probably obsessing about tiny specks of fabric showing through when there's no need, but this is such a big undertaking I want to enjoy every stitch of it and so need to get the fabric and count right. I must have put over a thousand stitches in already, on the two tests but as the finished article will contain 124,800 stitches that's less than 1% of "wasted" effort.
Don't obsess about it. You should pick the fabric and strand combination that feels the nicest to stitch. The purpose of cross stitch or needlepoint is to enjoy it. Definitely do not use too many strands so that it's unpleasant to stitch or I guarantee you will abandon the project when your wrists and arms start to get sore.
I personally enjoy full cross stitches on 18 count with two strands of DMC. I like the way it looks. I am just about to begin this exact picture, and I'll probably do it on 18 count with two strands of floss. I also have Charles Craft antique white. It's pleasant to stitch that count and I can do without a magnifier.
Remember, it's all about enjoyment. It shouldn't be an unpleasant chore. I promise the project will be beautiful in the end, as long as you make sure the stitching process itself is pleasant.
Posted by: Paula | May 14, 2010 at 05:47 AM
I got some 28 count evenweave fabric and every stitch I tried didn't look right. The full crosses showed too much fabric with 1 strand, 2 strands half crosses didn't look quite right either. Then full crosses with 2 strands was too bunched up and looked uneven to me. 22 count aida is working well for me with 2x1 full crosses. I want to try 25 count Lugana but I want to stick with my one HAED at a time for now. I have some old patterns to finish up as well.
Posted by: Lexi | April 05, 2010 at 11:41 PM
You are quite right. The fabric is actually cream, it has photographed quite white, but I have now ordered some mushroom jazlyn 28 count and some ivory hardanger to try.
Posted by: Fran | April 05, 2010 at 09:40 PM
Try working it on a neutral shade not white, you'll find less fabric glare when you work it and the little specks will be less noticeable. I normally stitch my HAEDs on a mushroom colour. And you're right with the have a look at it from a few feet away and see how it looks as these aren't designs you'll look at a lot point blank as the detail doesn't show as well. Good luck with what you decide to use stitch and thread-wise, it will turn out beautifully.
Posted by: Epidote | April 05, 2010 at 08:53 PM