New to cross stitch

BeLikeMonica

Hello lovely OS folks,

I'm new to cross stitching and have bought myself a kit to get going.

I have been watching a few online video's to help me get started but just wondered if you have any hints and tips to get me on the right track.

My first major worry is that I'm going to loose the needle when I put the kit away, at the moment it's in a little plastic bag thingy!

Thanks in advance.

LameWolf

Do you by any chance use one of those propelling pencil thingies? The sort you buy replacement leads for, or if not, do you know someone who does?
The little plastic tubes the leads come in are ideal for storing embroidery/cross stitch needles when not in use.

BeLikeMonica

LameWolf wrote: »

Do you by any chance use one of those propelling pencil thingies? The sort you buy replacement leads for, or if not, do you know someone who does?
The little plastic tubes the leads come in are ideal for storing embroidery/cross stitch needles when not in use.

I use those pencils at work! I'm definitely going to keep the next one when it runs out of lead.

Brilliant tip, thanks very much!

jackyann

Always do the "cross" the same way so all the stitches look neat on top. And buy a spare needle!

lindens

either thread the needle through the canvas or have a needle case,

meritaten

in most kits the colour threads come presorted and labelled as I remember (haven't done cross stitch for some years), but one thing I do remember doing is 'losing' umpteen lengths of thread because I just laid the rest on the arm of the sofa when taking out the two or three strands required, so to stop losing your threads? just put them back through the hole they came from!. a tip for separating the strands of thread is to hold the end of the six strands between finger and thumb and gently blow until they separate, then pull out ONE thread at a time and then put them together and snip the tops at an angle with sharp scissors to enable you to thread the needle easily.
Happy Stitching!

Matron_Midge

There is a cross stich cafe thread over in the crafting forum. Come and join us.

RicardaRacoon

I use a metal soap tin for my crafting essentials. I put a fridge magnet in and the needles sit on the magnet when not used. When I'm working a bigger part in one colour I take one strand and put the rest of them into the tin as well. ONce a colour is done I replace the left over yarn into this sorting-thingie.

I also always have a pen or a highlighter handy and mark the things I have already stitched ,which makes it easier to find the right spot on the pattern.

Petula

Matron_Midge wrote: »

There is a cross stich cafe thread over in the crafting forum. Come and join us.

Could you point me in the right direction please? I've looked through the threads twice now and can't find the crafting forum

Matron_Midge

I can't do links on my iPad but, if you go further down the page than this post you will see a forum jump. Click where it says old style and up will come a list of all the different forums. if you tick crafting and then go, it will take you to the index and cross stitch cafe will be there at the top.
Maybe someone else can do a direct link for you. I feel you can't find it, send me a message and I'll send you a link from the pc- just can't be bothered to fire it up at the moment.

cheel

Hello, I was going to suggest a magnet for your needle too!

Also if you want to save your chart to use again dont cross out as you go. Use washi tape or postits to mark your place!!

Have fun and beware its addictive!!

Cheel xx