Counted cross stitch

[Nevada]

Is there anyone who does counted cross stitch? Just started and am beginning to get the hang of it...finally

[Rhia]

I used to do it all the time; haven't lately, but between garb, quilts, scrapbooks and whatnot, just haven't had time.

I'd be more than happy to help/answer questions if you run into a snag.

[Jamianne]

I haven't done any in about a year, but I used to do it all the time, too. Actually, I think I still have a half-finished project boxed up somewhere. Hmm....now I think I'll have to dig it out and finish it. :)

[cyd]

I do it on and off. Sometimes, I'll rip through seven CCS projects in a row, and then stop doing it for a year and a half.

Actually, I've got this one that I've been working on for four years, the lady and the unicorn, which is driving me nuts. 28 count cloth, and 7 different shades of "white" to use on the unicorn, plus quarterstitching and such... *sigh*

However, I just recently resurrected a nice one I did for my mom a few years back (says MOM in big pink letters, with teddy bears in each letter... each of the bears is carrying something or wearing stuff that made it a wonderful sampler, laid work, lazy daisies, things like that). And I found one that I did with five instruments on scrollwork...

I find I really have to be in teh mood to do them, but once I am, I'll rip through a couple of prjects at a time. :)

Cyd (currently doing needlepoint, actually)

[Nevada]

I was a little perturbed that the set I have shorted me thread on one of the colors...so now I have to go get some to finish it up...anyone else have that problem?

[Rhia]

I never get those kits unless they are just too gorgeous...

They can be awfully pricey comparatively and not only do they sometimes leave out a color, I can never sort the %*^&^*^* things anyway!

I just buy my own floss.

[Nevada]

Thought I should start with kit first...plus blessing is my Rogue works at Michaels so I get a discount :D

[ambar]

I am working on a quilt top using designs from Kats by Kelley (http://www.123stitch.com/kats.html) and am having a blast with them. They are a blend of CCS and back stitch. They just fly by. :meow:

[Rhia]

Nevada,

I am SO jealous; if my hubby worked someplace like Michael's I'd have no place to walk for all the crafty stuff I'd have ... course, it's not like that doesn't happen now anyway... :roll:

[Pamela, Strawberry Tart]

*G* Not only do I do counted cross stitch, I also do petit point counted cross stitch (yes, those really really tiny squares) I go in spurts of doing ccs like a fiend for a month or two, and then won't touch it for months on end. I usually do kits, as I always want to see what would happen if I changed the colors specified, which can have spectacular results, or horrifying results, depending on if I grasp the color scheme properly.

When I was working at WTC, I had a hour commute, which meant that I actually got quite a bit of sewing done, and those small packet kits were perfect for my purse. I picked up a bunch in Scotland, and am now down to my last one. :-( But I'm still working on my 10 year project of a gorgeous victorian angel, which I will finish-someday.

[Daelyn]

I had a kit that was short one color once. It had a huge amount of the color that only needed about 3 x's, and only one thread of one of the main colors. Write to the company, and include one strand of the color(s) you need, explaining that the kit was short. I did that, and after a few months, they sent me thread that matched enough to finish the kit.

Ok, I am very interested now. What is counted cross stitch? I do embroidery, but I free hand it. I like how the flowers and such look rough and "folky".

I do not do very detailed work, and cannot draw, so I tend to just eyeball it. Also, I do not even know the names of the stitches I do, they are just something I saw once and liked. I stitch, then go back through the stitsh about have way and on to the next one. It makes it look like a line of V's. Any one know the name of it?

Where can I find the name (ladies I know some of you have some good ones!!!) a good, easy to follow book about embroidery , cross stitch, and heck while I am at it, learning to crochet?

Thanks!!!!

Muffin

[Rhia]

I have absolutely the BEST book for this kind of thing! You'll never believe this, but it's from Reader's Digest "Complete Guide to Needlework" My copy is from 1979 and I got it at Half Price Books CHEAP!

It's got great diagrams and tons of color photos
It covers tools and design for embroideryEmbroidery stiches, Blackwork, Cross-stich & Machine EmbroideryNeedlepoint - stiches, Bargello, patternsApplique, Patchwork, QuiltingKnitting, CrochetLacework - needle, tatting, filet neeting, bobbin, lace weaves and bobbinMacrameRug-making
Some of the projects are a little dated, but if they had an updated version, that would certainly be remedied. Still, even with the age of the copy I have, it has been wonderful in answering just about ANY needwork question I've ever had!

[Sylvie-Rose]

Nevada,
If the kit lists the DMC color you are short, let us know. I'll bet between all of us CCS'ers we can supply you with a few strands.

[cordelya]

I do CCS from time to time, but only in small doses. It used to be that I had lots of trouble with it because I couldn't see well enough and ended up getting a stiff neck and an eye strain headache from holding the cloth so close to my face. That was when I wore glasses. I now wear contacts, and year-old contacts are still better than glasses with a brand new prescription, so I can see what I'm doing. I also haven't much patience for detail work so I tend to do small projects. My biggest project that I've completed so far is a 6X6 inch Coast Guard Emblem. I have an unfinished project that I began when I was 7 or so.

[Nevada]

Lords there is a Needlework shop right down the street..never noticed it before...am going to slide in there this week and check it out....thanks for all the advice...am finding myself checking out needlework sites now...man...