PLEASE can you help me with cross stitch? Absolute beginner.

[Dumbledoresgirl]

I have just received a cross stitch kit through the post - a little Mr Happy name plate I want to stitch for my youngest and put in his stocking at Christmas.

All my children do cross stitch with their grandmother when they stay with her in the summer so I could ask the older ones to help me, but I would rather keep this secret from them as I like all the stocking presents to be a secret to all the children (even though the older ones know about FC iyswim). I can't ring up my mil as she is in Australia and the only time to ring her would be when the children are home.

Anyway, this is the problem: I am using 14 HPI Zweigart Aida and Madeira stranded cotton if that means anything to anyone. When I start stitching, the cotton seems to be too thick so that instead of crosses, I seem to be getting blobs. Am I supposed to only use some of the strands in the cotton (each thread is made up of 6 strands). I tried with one strand alone but that was clearly too thin.

Please help!

Also, it is impossible to stitch 2 consecutive crosses (ie reusing the same hole) without putting the needle through the existing stitch and breaking up the strands. What am I doing wrong?

Yes, you usually need to use 2 strands. Alternatively you can use one thread, thread it halway through the eye of the needles so that it becomes double stranded then knot the two ends together. This makes the strand shorter and easier to work with, but makes unpicking more difficult.

HTH

AFAIK you usually use 2 strands for cross stitch. I often split up the threads by mistake, think it just needs practice!

Second issue will resolve itself when you're using fewer threads! Also, remember to have the slants all facing the right way ie so the right slant is always under the left slant (or vice versa depending on your preference) I tend to work left to right doing all the right handed slants in a row, then work backwards doing the left handed slants. Does that makes sense?!

Sorry, shoudl read 'all slants facing the same way'

Ah thanks thanks thanks!

Your comment about using one thread doubled DaisyMooSteiner, also explains the instruction I couldn't understand about how to anchor the thread to begin.

Thanks so much. I feel such a fool

Actually, now I think about it, I'm having a crisis of confidence about whether you're actually supposed to knot the two ends. I'm sure that's what I normally do though and it works out fine.

Daisy, if it will help you, this is what my instructions say (the bit I didn't understand until you explained about using one strand doubled):

The easiest and neatest way of anchoring the thread for cross stitch is as follows. Take 1 strand of stranded cotton, fold it in half and thread the 2 cut ends through the needle. Bring the needle up from the back through the hole you want to use. Pull the thread through to within about an inch of the loop. Make the first diagonal of your cross stitch taking the needle down through the hole and through the thread loop. Pull gently to anchor and continue.

It is blindingly obvious now I know that you don't use all 6 strands together as I originally assumed!

Ah yes, I can visualise exactly what they want you to do. Does it make sense to you or shall I (attempt) to explain how they're anchoring it without a knot?

No, thank you, it made perfect sense the minute I read your first reply. I couldn't understand it originally because I did not understand that you only used one strand of the thread at a time but doubled it. Up until then, I had assumed you used the whole thread (which made blobs) or the single strand which was clearly too skinny.

Unfortunately, what with unpicking my first attempt, and a variety of other chores today, I have now missed my chance to get started on it today (and probably this weekend). But when I get started, when if I have further trouble, I will know where to come.

Thanks again for the help.

OK, next question!

It is all finished now - in fact I finished it at the weekend because I loved doing it and I get obsessional when I do craft projects - but I don't know how to frame it. It is not a standard size eg 4 by 6 inches. Also, as it is a name plate, I was hoping to put it on ds3's door so I am not sure that a wooden frame would be right.

Anyone have any ideas or tips for framing a cross stitch please?

Bumping for weekend crowd. I need to try and resolve this on Monday. Please, any ideas where I can get a frame or how to frame a cross stitch to hang on a door?

Think your best bet is to go to your local framers and ask them to make a frame as it's not a standard size you aren't go to get one off the peg so to speak.

I hope you got it finished nicely DumbledoresGirl, but can I say THANK YOU for that explanation, as I can see exactly what is meant by that and means no more knots at the back for me (an enthusiastic when I get time, but rubbish at it (and seriously lacking time), XStitcher!).