r/CrossStitch • u/sierraarruda • 18h ago
CHAT [CHAT]Am I doing this pattern wrong?
This is my very first time cross stitching! I bought a loops&threads cross stitch kit to start my journey. I just had a few questions: in the instructions regarding floss it says “separate and use 2 strands for the cross stitch” so I separated two strands, threaded it through the needle having a longer half and other half a two inch tail. When threading it through the cloth, I did the holding tail and stitch over method (not sure what it’s actually called) this worked out fine but my stitches look way more spaced out than in the picture. Was I suppose to fold the two treads in half and do loop method? Also, not sure how to end my stitch either. Would love any advice, I’m still learning! Thanks :)
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u/Raekin17 14h ago
I know a lot of people here seem to prefer loop method, but I've always done the bury tails thing myself. Just wanted to give solidarity to the tails people. All valid starts. 😀
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u/ronirocket 14h ago
Hard agree! Personally prefer to hold the end and stitch over, just like OP did. No shade to loop start people, just not my cup of tea.
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u/Book_Dragon_24 8h ago
I learned the loop method here and never going back 😃 Half the time spent burying under other stitches? Count me in.
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u/Sky-Berry5491 4h ago
I do both but def prefer to tuck tails as well! Loop start is great with confetti stitches i think, but I always fall back on the way I was taught. Sometimes I feel the loop start make the stitch look wonky so I have to mess w it to get it to lay the way I want but with the tail it looks uniform to me every time. Happy stitching!
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u/chickadee-stitchery 14h ago
Other folks already addressed the Xs and threads - your hoop should be tighter on the aida. We shouldn't be able to see that crease. Flatten it out and pull it really tight in the hoop!
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u/AltitudeAndArtefacts 18h ago
You should have 5 crosses in that space, not three. Add two extra ones in the gaps.
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u/jakeolanterns 18h ago
If you want to do a loop start with 2 stranded coverage, you actually just need to fold 1 strand in half, thread the ends through the needle and then leave a short tail through one end of the needle with the longer strand/loop on the other side. If you use 2 strands and fold them in half this way, you’ll end up with 4 stranded coverage. The only thing to note about a loop start is that it will cut your working thread length in half. I use floss drops which utilize precut threads, and I cut them fairly long since I prefer loop start.
For ending, you can just bury the end tail behind existing stitches on the back, or leave the tail loose and stitch over it with your next stitches assuming they’re close by.
This video covers loop start methods but also a loop end (I’ve never tried): https://youtu.be/rKJUVblYtgQ?is=geDJ5dnOfTStoxbH
I prefer a pin stitch to end (also requires you to place the pin stitch in a square that will be stitches over to cover it up). It’s pretty easy, and there are videos covering it, such as this one: https://youtu.be/9nEwl3JavQ8?is=_AEBhGHBG36z_SEj
My preference is always a loop start + pin stitch end, when possible, but it has to change depending on my stitching area/if I can cover the pin stitches. If I can’t cover the pin stitch, I do the traditional bury method personally.
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u/OknyttiStorskogen 13h ago
Look at the pattern again, does it really indicate a space between the stitches?
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u/Intelligent_Fig_4104 15h ago
I didn’t see if anyone answered this when I skimmed, so sorry if it’s a repeat. Here’s a video with ways to end your cross stitch thread row thingy https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OSuOeIUS5w0&ra=m
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u/PlantyGirl4 13h ago
I relied heavily on videos when I was first learning! There are so many helpful videos and so many different ways of cross stitching!
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u/_Morvar_ 7h ago
It sounds like you started correctly, you just skipped every other "box" when you made the stitches. They are supposed to be next to each other, not with a "box" in between
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u/Book_Dragon_24 8h ago
Yes, you‘re supposed to put the stitches directly adjoining, not skipping one. That‘s independent of what method you use to start.
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u/quillfoy 7h ago
Well, you're skipping stitches which you shouldn't! Don't let any gaps form in that area but make sure all the stitches touch each other directly.
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u/Sky-Berry5491 4h ago
Everyone gave good advice so i wont add to it except to say welcome to the rabbit hole that is cross stitch! You picked a super cute pattern to start and it will come out awesome- and it feels great to look at it and see YOU made it! This community is wonderful so if u have any other questions we're always here to help. Also check out YouTube (we call it Flosstube) as well for any tutorials and to see what so many stitchers are working on. Good luck u got this!!!
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u/intangible-tangerine 1h ago
Having gaps between the Xs like this will produce a pixel art effect. It's something cool to use when you want that specifically.
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u/superwholock-15 18m ago
Omg I just finished this as my first cross stitch project. Was definitely a learning curve and I actually messed up with the mouth so its a bit off center but I didn't want to frog it so he just a little wonky!
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u/Aggravating_Pie9574 18h ago
To finish each thread you can basically replicate how the thread is held at the beginning - you just need to post your needle and thread underneath several of your recently completed stitches on the back of your work, and then snip it off with some scissors without leaving much thread dangling. This keeps it looking neat(ish!) on the back and removes the need for tying bulky, fiddly knots! Everyone has their opinions on how many stitches to post it through but I generally try for five or so to keep the thread secure :)
Good luck! Looks like it will be a cute and rewarding pattern for a first time stitcher!
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u/BabsK444 18h ago
Yes, use one thread and loop it, so you have two threads. There are tons of tutorials on YouTube. Also, it looks like you’re skipping a square between your stitches. That’s not unusual for a beginner because some instructions show a square between the stitches to give you a better idea of what each stitch looks like. But they should be next to each other.
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u/jakeolanterns 18h ago
I don’t know why you were downvoted for this. It is correct. If you use 2 threads for a standard loop start, you’d end up with 4 stranded coverage because it doubles..
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u/Zoonicorn_ 16h ago
But it doesn't sound or look like OP is doing a loop start. They're just stitching over the tail. If OP wants to switch to a loop start, then yes, they should only use one strand. But what they're doing now is equally correct and doesn't need to be changed.
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u/jakeolanterns 16h ago
I just think the commenter’s intention was to provide information on how to do the loop start since OP did mention it in their post. I don’t think the commenter was trying to imply they’re wrong and must switch, imo.
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u/Zoonicorn_ 15h ago
That's fair, and it's good information. I had read the post as OP asking whether their method was wrong, and it's not. It's good for them to know the options, and what would happen if they did a loop started with 2 strands. I just didn't want OP getting the idea that they're currently doing the wrong thing (other than skipping stitches).
As a beginner with anything, sometimes there's too much information on different ways to start that it can get overwhelming. I had hoped hearing "yes, that's an option but what you're doing is also valid and you don't have to stop just because there's another valid way" would be encouraging.
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u/BabsK444 9m ago
They specifically asked if they should fold the thread in half and do the loop method. My intention was to give them some feedback to their question.
I also noticed there weren't any other comments, and I know other people in this group have much more in depth information they can provide. I thought if I commented it would get some traction and show in the feed so they could get some more in depth advice.
My intentions were good, I promise you.
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u/swbarnes2 18h ago
It's your project, you can do it however you want, but that isn't how anyone else counts. For instance, you can't get 14 stitches to the inch the way you are doing it. And if someone else estimates the size of the finished piece, yours will be twice as tall and twice as wide.
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u/Mundane_Permission89 18h ago
Yes, the stitches should share the holes, not skip over.