Stitching Tips: Danielle’s Favorites
Pattern Choice
Beginner: For those just starting out, I would choose a pattern that requires only a handful of colors and uses full cross stitches across the entirety of the design. Something small that doesn’t take a lot of time to finish would be ideal.
Example: Aloha design
Intermediate: Stitchers fully comfortable with cross stitching may then want to branch out and choose a design that incorporates specialty stitches such as backstitch and half-stitch. Accent threads can also be an added element that both augments a stitcher’s experience while enhancing a specific design.
Example: Bee Love design
Advanced: One stitchers have a grasp of more complicated designs, one might find enjoyment in a more demanding project that requires more thread, more time and perhaps more patience.
Example: Citrine Sunflower design
Fabric Choice
For fabric, I interchange between using Aida and Linen.
Aida
Aida is a fabric that has clearly defined squares, which makes this option good for beginners.
Choose a “count” of fabric, some of the most popular being 14, 16 and 18 counts. These counts are determined by how many stitched squares fall within a measurement of one inch. The higher the fabric count, the smaller the stitches. A design stitched on 14 count Aida would come out larger than that same design stitched on 16 or 18 count Aida.
While many of my designs are stitched on 14 count Aida for showcase purposes, I personally like stitching on smaller squares such as 16 count, since tighter stitches help eradicate the white space that develops within the stitches. This can help to create a more dense finish.
One caveat for me with Aida fabric is that it tends to be stiff and slightly thicker than other fabrics. This can make it challenging to place into a frame. However, due to its consistency, a small design worked on Aida fabric can easily be stitched held in hand without a frame. Wrinkles can also develop in the fabric and can be a bit of a bother to remove, so taking care at how a piece of fabric is placed in a frame or held in the hand can alleviate time spent smoothing out the wrinkles.
Linen
Linen has squares that are less defined because four tiny squares are included in every stitched square so one has to stitch “over two.” Due to this bit of complexity, this fabric is popular with intermediate stitchers.
The same concept of fabric count as discussed above with Aida also applies here to linen except that the count numbers are doubled due to the extra squares. So, a 14 count Aida design would be the same size as one stitched on 28 count linen.
I personally love stitching on linen fabric as it tends to be more flexible than Aida, which makes it easier to secure into hoops and plastic frames. I also don’t mind the inconsistencies that can arise in linen where the woven threads sometimes lump together and make a few stitches look a little wonky. I feel like it adds character to the piece and I also like the challenge of “seeing” the grid amongst a sea of pinholes.
However, if you want the look of linen without the inconsistencies of the weave, there is a linen fabric called Evenweave that is has a uniform grid. Evenweave is a nice choice if you want to move beyond Aida fabric and start stitching over two without the fabric irregularities that can complicate the stitching process.
Regardless of which fabric you choose to use, determining the size of Aida or linen you will need for a project is important. Bookmark this Fabric Size Calculator, from Yarn Tree, which will help you determine the amount of material you will need for either linen or Aida and can also tell you how large the finished design will turn out depending on fabric count.
Primary Threads
I currently use DMC Thread for all my patterns just because it is the most widely available brand with a great reputation for quality. The majority of cross stitch patterns both new and old utilize this thread palette and I would bet the majority of stitchers have at least some of these threads on hand in their stitching stash. There are many conversion charts available out there too, swapping out DMC for other thread brands, which emphasizes its orbital pull. Here’s a great resource from Lord Libidan that compiles several brands into one thread conversion table.
Anchor Thread (recently acquired by DMC) is probably the second most widely available brand that boasts a high quality with a color range that rivals DMC. This is actually the brand that I began stitching with once I really got into the craft. Most of my Mirabilia patterns have been stitched using this thread. Dare I say it’s slightly more colorful than DMC thread? I might revisit this brand to check out how the color variations compare with my current patterns.
For budget conscious shoppers, I have heard that Sullivan’s Thread and CXC Thread offer a good quality floss at a modest price. Both also offer the same numbering system as DMC so stitchers can easily convert patterns that utilize the more prevalent brand. I haven’t personally used these brands but if you are curious to learn more, here is a helpful video by The Stitching Owl that demonstrates the differences between Sullivans, CXC and DMC brands:
You can also find hand-dyed brands that are variegated (the color changes subtly along the thread). Weeks Dye Works is one that I’ve used. It gives a project a weathered, antique look that solid colors can’t replicate. Continue reading about accent threads in the next section for more variegated color options and other specialty threads.
Accent Threads
In addition to solid colored threads, there are playful, specialty threads one can use to accentuate a design with sparkle or color variation. While there are a multitude of different threads out there, I have included those I have actually used to give a more personalized description of the options. Where applicable, I have included links to the brand sites if you would like to delve deeper and learn more about what these threads can offer.
Sparkle and Shine
Kreinik is popular for their metallic, braided threads in varying thickness (their #4 variety is thinner in comparison to the thicker #8 braided thread). I have used both and while they can be challenging to stitch with at times (especially in their tendency to fray at the ends) I really think it is worth it to achieve that special sparkly effect.
Kreinik is also known for their blending filament, which is a very thin delicate strand that also gives a subtle, shiny feature to stitches. Since the blending filament is so delicate, using it in combination with regular colored floss is recommended for this desired effect. I have used it to add some shine to white stitches depicting snow and it gives just a hint of shimmer without overpowering the design element.
DMC also has a wide array of options that will add some shine to your project. Available variations such as Light Effects, Metallic Pearl, Étoile and Diamant. As an added bonus, if a craft store has a rotating display stand of DMC thread then their specialty threads will likely be included and easily added to your stitch pile, which is less true of Kreinik which may be harder to find.
I have used DMC metallic threads a handful of times and they can be quite challenging to work with since they fray quite a bit. Light Effects and Metallic Pearl come in skeins of six threads that you can separate into one or more threads depending on how many your project requires and Diamant comes in a spool of a single thread. Étoile has a cotton thread base with a subtle metallic shine that has almost the same effect as combining a cotton floss with a Kreinik blending filament.
Rainbow Gallery also has a metallic thread option called Petite Treasure Braid that is softer than the other brands and tends to snag less when pulling the thread through the fabric, which is a huge plus. Their metallics are just as shiny and vibrant as Kreinik and DMC threads and remain a good option for stitchers.
Texture and Style
The Rainbow Gallery, in addition to their metallic threads, has an excellent range of texturized threads that one can use to accentuate a design with novelty and flair. Some of the ones I have used are the Wisper thread, which is a furry thread that is great for stitching animals or anything that you’d like to have a soft wispy finish (I used this thread for Mirabilia’s pattern, Autumn Queen). Ultra-Suede is a suede-like thread that lays flat on the fabric and is rather thick, so keep in mind that you will have to use a needle that is large enough to thread it through (I used this thread for Butternut Road’s pattern, Earthdancer). The same goes for the Petite Very Velvet thread, although it is slightly less thick and is more rounded but has a lovely satiny soft feel to it (I used this to design Cross Stitch Sanctuary pattern, Bee Love).
Multi-Colored Threads
DMC has different collections of multi-colored thread, where the color of the thread changes as you stitch. Depending on how you lay your stitches, this can offer a multitude of different results to a design. DMC’s Color Variations thread takes one base color and changes the color hue from darker to lighter (or lighter to darker) as you stitch, whereas their Coloris thread uses several different complementary colors in one skein, a color distinction often referred to as variegated thread. While I haven’t yet delved into these multi-colored threads, I will write an update once I give them a go.
Caron Collection is a specialty brand that includes Waterlilies, a hand-dyed variegated silk thread that is soft and changes color colors as you stitch (I used this for Mirabilia’s pattern, Stone Roses). The Caron brand also has a multitude of different types of thread with varying effects.
Mill Hill (Beads & Treasures)
I have purchased a multitude of Mill Hill branded beads and treasures over the years while stitching various Mirabilia patterns. The beads are lovely to work with and come in a few different styles such as Glass Seed Beads, Petite Glass Beads and Antique Glass Beads.
Hoop: A classic choice. Can also double as a finishing frame in a pinch. I tend to only stitch on these hoops if my entire design will fit in the round space. I try to avoid creating fabric creases when using a frame and these hoops tend to crease my fabric too much. However, since they are small, they are incredibly useful when traveling.
Q-snap: My personal favorite. These square plastic frames come in several different sizes. Each side of the frame has a plastic connecting piece that snaps the fabric into place. Since the edges of the frame are round, the fabric isn’t pinched like in a traditional wooden hoop frame. Tightening fabric is also a breeze – one simply has to gently rotate the connecting pieces until it is sufficiently taunt.
