Though cross-stitching is just a
matter of taking a needle up and down to create a simple
X on the fabric, most cross-stitch enthusiasts, especially
beginners, still have to confront with many frequently asked
questions. Such as, the amount of fabric needed, appropriate
size of a needle, type and number of floss and so on. You
may find that most of your leisure time is taken up with
these detailed arrangement other than relaxation and enjoyment.
To solve this problem and ensure
ultimate pleasure in your beloved hobby, PINN-Stitch.com
has therefore meticulously prepared all of these intricate
elements and provided you with its ready-to-stitch kit that
contains everything you need for a particular project. In
every PINN's kit, you will have:
1. An artistic design of your choice, marked with distinctive
symbols and clear instructions
2. Aida fabric, with stitched edges to prevent fraying
3. Pre-sorted floss of high quality. No color-running guaranteed!
4. A blunt-tipped needle, suitable for cross-stitching
While almost everything is prepared and done, what is left
for you is only great fun and excitement as the fabric fills
itself square by square into a wonderful picture.
How-To-Start
Good news! For new cross-stitchers and those who find difficulties
in keeping track of location. Here is an absolute solution
for this common-to-all frustration: "draw a grid on a fabric".
The following technique can be applied to PINN's as well as
other patterns. It can work miraculously especially with a
large and complicated design. We guarantee your work will
be easier and faster.
1. Find a water-soluble marker, light-coloured preferred.
It is a good idea to test the marker on a small piece of fabric,
then dry-clean it and see if the mark is totally washed away.
This marker will be used directly on the fabric.
2. Count the number of squares in the pattern, horizontally
and vertically. PINN's design already has divided into blocks
of ten squares. You can count the blocks and multiply by ten.
The illustration is, for example, a 160 X 200 squares pattern.
Write
down numbers in sequence for each block.
3. Locate the center of the pattern. PINN's design marks
its center with arrows (triangular symbols) along the sides.
Follow the arrows until they meet.
4. Locate the center of the fabric by folding it into quarters.
Mark it with the marker. The center of the fabric corresponds
to the center of the pattern.
5.
Starting from the center, count carefully the number of
the squares to its left, right, up and down, and mark at
every 10th square. Work on until you reach the same number
of squares as in the pattern (Step 3). Now you have two
equally-dotted center vertical and center horizontal lines,
divided the fabric into quarters.
6.
At each border, count and mark each block as in Step 5 by
starting at the first and the last dots of the center vertical
line and count to its left and right. Then repeat the same
procedure by starting at the first and the last dots of
the center horizontal line and count upwards and downwards.
Work on until you have the same number of blocks as in the
pattern.
7.
Draw a grid from the dots you have marked. Try to keep it
straight along the border of the squares (not over them).
Write down numbers in sequence for each block. Now you have
a 10 X 10 stitch grid with the same number of blocks as
in the pattern.
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How-To-Stitch
There are different types of stitches, applied to create
different tones to the picture. Here are some common ones:
1. Cross-Stitch.
A cross-stitch can work in two directions:
vertical and horizontal
1.1 Cross-stitch in the vertical
direction
Begin
from the bottom to the top. Pull the needle up on Stitch
1, down on Stitch 2, up on Stitch 3, down on Stitch 4, and
so on, then work back by stitching in the opposite direction
to complete the cross. For example, when reaching Stitch
8, come up on Stitch 9, and down on Stitch 6, then up on
Stitch 7, etc.
1.2 Cross-stitch in the horizontal
direction
Pull
the needle up on Stitch 1, down on Stitch 2, up on Stitch
3, down on Stitch 4, and so on, till you reach the end of
the row. Then work back.
2. Half Cross-Stitch
Often used at the edge of a picture
or to create a distant look. This is only a half of a cross-stitch.
3. Three Quarters Cross-Stitch
Used at the edge of a picture or
to form an eye. Pull the needle up on Stitch 1, down on
Stitch 2, up on Stitch 3, and down on Stitch 4. Note that
Stitch 4 is at the middle of the square, not at its upper-left
corner as in a normal cross-stitch.
4. Back Stitch
Sometimes called running stitch.
Each back stitch may not go by one square at a time, depending
on how far the outline needs to be. However, you should
not carry thread over more than a distance of one or two
stitches as it may cause an uneven tension.
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Stitching
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