Expert: Kris - 1/9/2010

Question
I have 36count linen. Instructions to use one strand over two.  What does this mean?

Answer
Hi Deborah,

I will be happy to help you with this. When you stitch on a 14 count fabric, you stitch over one. Meaning that your stitch covers one square on the fabric. When you work on the larger count (usually 25 count or higher) than you stitch over 2, which actually covers 4 squares of the fabric.

When you stitch over one on 14 count, you get 14 stitches to the inch. When you stitch over one on 18 count, you get 18 stitches per inch. When you stitch over 2 on 28 count, you get 14 stitches per inch. In your case, you will get 18 stitches per inch.

To stitch over 2, pick your starting point and bring your needle up, count over 2 and up 2 and put your needle through that hole. On the under side count over 2 and bring your needle up to the front and then complete your stitch by counting over 2 and down 2. Here is a picture that might help - http://home.comcast.net/~kathydyer/nf_xstitch_tut.html#stit_linen

I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask more questions as you have them! Good luck on your project!

Happy Stitching,
Kris