Expert: Vinette de Phillipe - 5/17/2008

Question
Hi Vinette!

What a lovely name.

I am pretty new to cross-stitch.  About 8 years ago I did a little two-inch,
two-color wreath from printed cloth : ))  But I found this cross-stitch pattern
on eBay with lots of mice and I LOVE mice so I ordered it.  It's 2 by 3 feet and
very detailed!  I do tend to jump into things with both feet.

I've been learning as I go, and I'm beholden to you already for posting the
beginner site because this pattern did not describe how to make a French
knot, though I had already decided to use seed beads if I didn't figure it out
in time.  

I've made quite a mess so far, but am starting to make it pretty.  My question
is, when there is a vertical line of cross-stitches, is it best to do each X
individually as I go down, or does it make sense to turn the cloth sideways to
do it more easily-- even though the stitching will be less uniform?  

It's so complex!

Thank you,

Natasha

PS I'm a mouse expert on this site, so if you ever have any questions about
mice, you know where to go!  ; ))

Answer
HI Natasha,
What kind of mice are you referring to???

What I usually do when making a row of x-stitches is to make half the stitch all the way down the row, then come back up the row doing the other half of the stitch.

I do not see where it would make any difference which way you hold the work as work on it.

When I do needlepoint or stitchery I find I am turning every which way so that I am working with the smallest amount of material between me and the area I am working on.

Hope this answers your questions.

vi