Expert: Angela - 1/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Angela: I have always stitched on Aida 14.I am attempting to stitch a Baby Afghan for a gift. The cover model is stitched on "Anne Cloth" by Zweigart, 18 to the inch. It reads "this could also be stitched on Afghan Cloth" also 18 to the inch. I have a Baby Afghan Cloth 18 count. I understand how to find the center of each block to begin what I don't know is (1) how many skeins of thread color to use, 2) I am unclear about how to stitch the (x) someone told me to use (4) skeins of color over (2) threads which I didn't understand. Can you help?

ANSWER: Hello, Kathy :)

Well, you're going to be the first of the 2 of us for stitching onto an afghan. :)  Congratulations! :)  To answer your questions, 1) Try using 2 strands for the 18 count, and if you don't like the coverage on the fabric, increase it to 3 strands; and 2)I think someone was meaning 4 strands of color instead of 4 skeins.  A skein is a bundle of floss that you would purchase at your local needlework shop, Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  Here is a website that may be able to help you on how to begin stitching the actual cross stitch:

http://www.craftdesigns4you.com/learntostitch.htm

And I found a couple of videos to teach you this technique:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4988916_learning-cross-stitch.html

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/785979/cross_stitch_in_5_minutes/

I hope that helps you. :)  Good luck, and happy stitching! :)

Sincerely,

Angela :)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Angela thank you so much for the reply i feel like i am all alone out here you are correct in saying 4 strands of color versus 4 skeins - use she told me to use 4 strands of color-start at bottom right corner beside a vertical line count over two and up two - it was driving me crazy- so am i understanding you to say i can stitch this 18 count fabric with 2 to 3 threads make a x in one block and move forward to the next stitch am i understanding thank you  

Answer
Hello, Kathy :)

In order to make a cross stitch, you would need to make the base lines going across in 1 direction, and then come back across in the opposite direction crossing over the bottom one as you stitch along.  Here is an example of what it looks like:

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/learn-cross-stitch.shtml

If you scroll down to where you see "Stitching:", this part of the tutorial will show you in which directions your bottom stitches and your top stitches can be.  Since I'm right handed, my stitching is like this: \\\\ and my top stitches run in the opposite direction like this: ////, which result in making those X's or crosses that you see.

I hope that helps you further.  Good luck and happy stitching. :)

Sincerely,

Angela :)