Cross stitch

Nanna8 that sounds lovely. And a bargain. My daughter got me a cross stitch book out of a charity shop the other week. All new designs to me. It's by an American author.

Here is my lavender flowers My one and only cross stitch make, so far.

Love all the designs here.

Grany that's beautiful can't wait to see what you do next. Just after Christmas I decide what my projects will be for the year. I have a book I write them down in. Last year all my birthday cards where book marks. This year everyone is having ordinary brought card but a cross stitch coaster plus their present. My grandson son's is a penguin in a jumper with a fish. Two adult women had flower ones. Didn't take any photos of those but have ones I made for myself if anyone wants to see. Working on my youngest grandson's name train.

Do others plan their work in advance ?

Should just be grandson don't know where the son's came from.

Whiff I really like your finished cushion.

Cocopops thank you. I really enjoyed doing it. When my daughter and grandson's came on Tuesday the eldest said straight away new cushion and hugged it. Trying to finish one I started this time last year. It's on Sudan canvas. I am using acrylic yarn on that. I had already made 2 that way by using ordinary counted cross stitch charts and just adapted them because the holes are 5 to the " instead of my usual 14 count Aida .

I love gargoyles and have a chart coming from America I hope to make that into a cushion using Aida.

Hope you are staying safe. In isolation at the moment until 1st. I had the eldest Friday afternoon for 4 hours we made scones then played. My daughter had a call from the nursery about 5 to say a child he was with on Wednesday had tested positive for Covid. She was upset on 2 fronts. They should be moving house Friday and exposing me to the possibility of Covid. But told her not to be I am would not miss a minute I can spend with them. So far we are all well.

Take care ?

Saw hoop huggers in the World of Cross Stitching. The ones shown where from an American company. Seemed cheap but p&p was expensive. So went on eBay and got these a pack of 12. I used to have stitch extra fabric out of the way. These are perfect.

What are other cross stitchers working on at the moment? This is mine. I love gargoyles. Not many British charts so had this from America.

@tanith
That's counted cross-stitch. Try a daylight bulb in your lamp/ceiling light and sit closer to a window, if you can, during daylight hours.
There's so much you can buy to help with your stitching these days, such as a large magnifying glass that is on a swivel stand to help, and head worn magnifiers.
There's a group on Facebook called 'Cross Stitch Friends in the UK' (tho it's worldwide nowadays) and they're very helpful in that group. You might like to try it.

Finally finished my gargoyles today. What are others working on?

What lovely gargoyles. They look quite friendly.

Thank you. There doesn't seem to be many cross stitchers about. I don't use Facebook nor do I want to.

I know cross stitch is a slow craft that's why I love it. It's so relaxing. Worked on the gargoyles since February .

I used to be in a multi craft group. Who met once a week for 2 hrs but Covid shut it done. Loved seeing all the different things people did. I was the only cross stitcher.

None of my friends cross stitch. They prefer quicker crafts knitting or crocheting. And yet I think it is an ideal craft for children . Using larger Aida or Bianca.

What beautiful work you have all done. I haven't tried it yet but you are inspiring me to give it a go.

Whiff, that looks stunning.

Whiff Your work is fantastic and looks such a work of art.

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Thank you for your lovely comments. If you want a craft that is relaxing and slows you down cross stitch is for you. I would recommend you buy a copy of The world of cross stitching or Cross stitcher magazine. They come with a free project plus lots of charts and information.

Blowing my own trumpet I have posted pictures of my work on page 2 a motorbike and cushion, page 4 Christmas decorations and a cushion.

I use mainly 14 count Aida which means 14 holes per inch. I have used 16 and 18 as well. I buy it by the metre from UK manufacturer on eBay. Always use DMC threads cheapest and quick delivery Lakeside needlecraft.

The handyman I have made for my brother's birthday am going to make it into a coaster. I get the blanks from eBay.

I have shown how it looks before and after back stitching.

I hope you look at other pages and others work here.

Hope you give cross stitch a try.

Just to show you can do large cross stitch. This is a cushion kit I have just finished for my grandson. It's on canvas and stitched with acrylic wools. The design is painted onto the canvas. It is all washable at 30°.

Where are the cross stitchers? When this thread was started I thought great others who are addicted to it like me. But no one else has posted for a long time.

Anyone who hasn't tried it. Please do it's so relaxing. I know it is a slow craft by if you have a busy life or got a lot is stress in your life it slows you down.

I took it up 5 years ago as I needed to relax and de stress. I was looking after my mom and needed to relax. Mom loved to see how my work was coming along. She had knitted since she was 6 but early dementia meant she could no longer understand knitting patterns. But she could still knit if I read the pattern to her for a while until she couldn't remember how to do the stitches. But she loved my cross stitch .

I have various neurological problems and have tremors in my hands and drop things and don't even realise I have let something go. But while holding my hoop and stitching my hands are still and have never dropped my hoop. Also it keeps my fingers flexible.

There is nothing more exciting than deciding on a design and sorting out threads and making that first stitch and watching your work grow.

A small design can take an hour or two. And sometimes your design doesn't look like anything but once you back stitch everything comes to life. Not all designs need back stitch.

If a design calls for French knots or fractionals I just do a whole cross stitch but the end result always looks good.

I have done all the cross for one of my grandson's Christmas stocking once made up I will post a photo. At the moment I am making a Christmas gnome of his brother got a about 6 weeks work ahead of me.

If you have never tried. Buy a copy of 'The world of cross stitching or 'Cross stitcher magazine they come with a cross stitch kit plus plenty of charts and interesting reading.

I have turned my work into pictures,cushions,coasters and Christmas decorations for the tree, Christmas stockings and even a Christmas sack.

Give it a try. ?

I love cross stitching, been stitching for years, can’t post
photographs, don’t know how to. Have arthritis so hands are
twisted but can hold a needle and hoop thank heaven.
I don’t know anyone who stitches, so hello fellow stitcher.

I buy patterns on Etsy, download onto my iPad.

Are you sensible and keep to to working on one until you’ve
finished it ? I don’t!

Anniebach lovely to see another cross stitcher. Once I start a project like to finish it before starting another.

At the beginning of the year I have a book I write down all the things I am want to stitch.

The biggest one I did was a motorbike for my brother's 60th birthday. It was over 28,000 stitches took me 3 months . I framed it so it looks like it is coming out of the frame. He loves it. Posted it to all his biker friends . Think I posted a picture of it will check.

I am getting my Christmas stuff done as I want to do a dragon for my sister in law's 60th birthday in January it's in various shades of green.
She loves gothic things.

If you take a photo of your work on your phone and press the paperclip below and click on the photo it will appear below. When you press preview them post it takes a while to load but it does appear at the start of your post.

The motorbike is on page 2 before I framed it.

Gosh Whiff just looked at your motorbike. I realise I am a
too safe stitcher. Only use 14 Aida easy count, and always DMC
thread.

Use to buy from the site which is now LoveCrafts, they no longer sell things like coasters and fridge magnets , didn’t think of eBay.

French knots and back stitching, oh such problems for me.

I can learn much from you , thank you

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Anniebach only just seen your post. The motorbike was done on 14 count Aida with DMC threads. I get my white Aida off eBay but DMC threads from Lakeside needlecraft and also any coloured Aida from them.

I am doing the gnome at the moment but cross stitching the beard and nose which is on the chart it's out of the world of cross stitching and then the dragon which is a gift for my sister in law's 60th in January also out of world of cross stitching.

This will sound daft Whiff , I can’t use white aida, causes hives !

So annoying, yesterday a bought a pattern on Etsy, a willow tree plate - only after buying it did i remember my Aida is cream ,

Love your gnome

Anniebach must be the white starch they use on the Aida you are allergic to.

Do you buy cross stitch magazines. I find they have a wide variety of charts and are cheaper than buying individual charts. The motorbike chart was £12 and the Goblins I had from America it was £16.

I have a subscription to both the world of crossing and cross stitcher magazines. Usually have at least 50 charts plus a free kit in each issue .

I admire anyone who can use evenweave I tried it drove me mad having to do it over 2 squares. Only do whole stitches if it's a fractional ignore that and do a whole one. Can't bother piercing the middle of an Aida square.

The backs of my work are messy but the fronts usually look ok .

When I moved here I joined a mixed craft group . I was the only cross stitcher . I loved seeing what others loved to do. Mainly crochet or knitting but a couple of them coloured in those books for adults. But Covid closed it down. I really miss the people and talking crafts .