Sewing Circle

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Originally Posted by TurquoiseSunset

When I start a new design I usually mark out the 10 by 10 squares with a contrasting colour (normal sewing thread). So it's a ten under, ten over kind of checkerboard design. It's a pain when you really just want to get started, but it saves a lot of trouble in the end.

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I usually have the pattern marked in 10 x 10 squares but on the fabric itself I usually just mark the centre and work from there - you do work from the centre, don't you, ladies?? It keeps the tension more even.

TS - I've seen those Native American designs - they look so fine when they are finished but I've never plucked up enough courage to start one. (Small is Beautiful is my working principle with cross stitch!) That blue sky in the background - is it the colour of the base fabric or is it all stitched in?

Oh, neither my mother nor my grandmother told me to work from the centre! Makes sense, though. I'll remember when I ever start anything like that again. I can imagine it's better for the consistency of the work.

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Originally Posted by kasie

I usually have the pattern marked in 10 x 10 squares but on the fabric itself I usually just mark the centre and work from there - you do work from the centre, don't you, ladies?? It keeps the tension more even.

TS - I've seen those Native American designs - they look so fine when they are finished but I've never plucked up enough courage to start one. (Small is Beautiful is my working principle with cross stitch!) That blue sky in the background - is it the colour of the base fabric or is it all stitched in?

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I don't work from the centre although I was aware of the practice. Usually, I start with all the bigger chunks of colour first so that when I do smaller patches of only a few stitches, there are other stitches already to end off with, if need be. I don't make knots to end with, just to start with.

Tension has never really been an issue on my projects and I'm very gentle with the fabric so that can stay very taut for as long as possible (not sure if 'taut' is the correct word). And because I don't work from the center it's useful for me to mark out all the squares beforehand.

I was also nervous about one that size. The key was finding a design I liked a lot. It's a joy to work on this one, where the previous one (of half the size) felt like a chore. Smaller ones are nice though, because they allow for more variation; you can do two or three a year, for example, instead of one every few years.

The base fabric is navy, so luckily I don't have to cover the whole piece with stitches. I might not have done it otherwise :D

How do you find working with a dark fabric, TS? I had great difficulty until a friend suggested placing a white towel across my lap to make it easier to see the holes - try it, it works!

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Originally Posted by kasie

How do you find working with a dark fabric, TS? I had great difficulty until a friend suggested placing a white towel across my lap to make it easier to see the holes - try it, it works!

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That is a really good tip and I do something like that myself. I keep the design on my lap, so it's easy to see the next stitches, but, like you said, also helps with seeing the little holes. Although it helps a lot it's still difficult at times, depending on the lighting conditions. I find daylight is the best, but not always possible. The colour of the thread is also a factor. I'm currently working on the dark blue and blue purple threads and they are killing my eyes :p

Bookmark:

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...C06570-001.jpg

Lovely bookmark, Madhuri! I'd love to make something like that.

Thank you.

It's very easy. I followed a tutorial on youtube: http://youtu.be/bvkHI_Spw0Q (for the flower) and http://youtu.be/iIyeBpgZZ7Y (to make the stem).

For the crochet projects that I want to create, I check for the tutorial on youtube because I find it easier to follow a demo than written instructions.

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Originally Posted by Madhuri

Bookmark:

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...C06570-001.jpg

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Originally Posted by Madhuri

Thank you.

It's very easy. I followed a tutorial on youtube: http://youtu.be/bvkHI_Spw0Q (for the flower) and http://youtu.be/iIyeBpgZZ7Y (to make the stem).

For the crochet projects that I want to create, I check for the tutorial on youtube because I find it easier to follow a demo than written instructions.

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Oooo! I'm so trying this! It's very nice Madhuri, and thanks for the links.

See, I knew there was a thread about thread :D

I'm looking to either find, or develop, a filet crochet pattern that will make maybe a 12 inch afghan square with a celtic knot. Any suggestions, or know of any charts that might work?

Edited to add:

Madi, I love that book mark. It's so bright and cheery.

Does anyone know what size the crouchet needle needs to be, if I want to make that bookmark?

I would say quite small, and would recommend a thin thread too, because no one wants a thick bookmark.

I got a 2mm with some wool...the women at the store said something about the thickness of the wool, which I missed, but I decided to practice the technique first on the wool and then try something thinner.

Yes, the crochet needle should fit the wool. If your needle is too big for the wool, your work will have holes in the stitches (the wool doesn't cover the whole stitch). If the needle is too small, the hook is too small and you only pull part of the thread through, so it creates a mess.

You can play with it, of course, it's not that one milimeter will be a disaster, but if it's too extreme, then it won't give nice results.

Aaaargh! I've tried...and will try again some more tomorrow... I have to work on holding the needle and not making the stitches to tight.

For now though...bed. :)