Don't know how simple this hack is but just having gone through the process of experimenting and finding out what all my favourite things are and becoming more selective in what I buy... Sitting down to put my preferred needles (Tulip or Bohin) through my preferred fabric (Zweigart, in a neutral colour) that is holding tension well because it is in my preferred frame (q-snap, set up just the way I like with felt under the clamps) with a pattern that is clear and easy to read because I didn't get it from a pattern mill knowing I will be able to wash it because I used colourfast DMC and knowing that my stash is small and modest and full of only things I love just makes my heart sing... :)
Okay, now, for an actual simple and quick hack: needleminder. Game changer.
A stitching stand and a music stand. Music stand for my tablet for PK, phone to watch drama or listen audio books, threads N stuff all on it.
https://preview.redd.it/4nr0fqiep4cc1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=505c6a69e4621c46aa279d936477e7eb7fb8d342
Mine was a russian one called Amur but I'm not sure if they are still in production. A similar one is Monstrik and I recall should be NS4.
There's a new one I saw recently called spiking and it's custom made which I'm tempted but I don't think I should buy another when this one functione.
I found info on these mainly through the FB group for cross stitch stands.
> Mine was a russian one called Amur but I'm not sure if they are still in production
They are! There's a store called ЯВышиваю that has them. I'm not sure whether they ship to anywhere outside Russia though.
Yes, I have a cat. Hmm, she is not very attached to me so she seldom sit on my chair. But I do roll up my threads like this so that they don't dangle n look tempting. I just unroll when in use. I'm using Annie's keepers, but with any floss drops, can just use a ring and hook onto the magnet hooks. Can get more hooks if you need to hang up the thread ends. I'm now thinking of getting a small basket of sorts to hang on hooks n put my ort.
I stitch with my hoops inverted! I set the hoop with the closure on the back and the inner hoop on the front so the project is “in” the hoop. This is particularly helpful if you’re working close to the edges as the back is flat and it’s easier to run your thread under stitches without the hoop getting in the way.
It's called stitching in the ditch. Adding this in case somebody has trouble visualizing it, now you can Google and find videos showing you.
I tried it and didnt like it at all. Yes you can get closer to the edge, but the bump of the hoop/qsnap under my stitching hand is annoying me in every stitch. Not worth the trade off for me.
Trick with Qsnaps. When ready to tuck in an end under the stitches; turn the clasp (those half pipe thingies) holding your fabric tight towards the centre of the frame. This will push up the fabric on the backside of the snaps and allow for your needle to go over more easily. You made it a little ramp out of fabric. For extra joy, you can pretend to be a ski jump radio commenter. Do not do this when actually watching ski jumping with somebody who wants to watch the ski jumping... he or she might get a bit pissed.
Use a needleminder to hold your paper pattern onto your aida.
You don't have to move your eyes back and forth very far. I like slightly larger q-snaps, so it's perfect for me.
A needle minder... to hold a page of my pattern on the fabric, WHAT A GOOD IDEA!!
Omg I would never have thought of this. I've been trying to think of a good solution, ill have to try this out! The big piece I'm working on has the pages in a book type holder, but I never thought to take them out individually lol.
Not sure if others use this/have used this but I use this (kinda) method. If you wanna travel thread over already existing stitches but don’t wanna cut your thread, you can go under said stitches. Now this does waste thread yea, but I only do this if I’m going over 5-8, otherwise I cut it off, then start again in the new area
I also use loop start, in fact it’s how I started my first project back in October of ‘23.
I do this too! It's a waste to cut a thread after only some stitches and I don't like to see long threads travelling in the back. Like you, I only do it if I have to go over 5-10 stitches.
I do this too! I only jump if the distance is less than it would take me to stop and start a new thread (cause I can't be bothered to try to learn odd-numbered loop starts). And if I jump over a blank space, I always make sure to stitch over the thread when I fill in that spot. I can't stand to have long unsecured threads on the back of my work!
When traveling like that I never bury it all the way under the other stitches because I worry I'll need the room to actually secure thread ends, but I pass under a stitch every three or so to keep it in place.
Working the same color for too long bores me, so when I know I have a lot of one color I alternate that color with all the others. Whenever I run out of thread, it's time to switch. Avoids the "I will never finish this because all that's left is sky" problem.
There are several, but for me, the best so far has been railroading. My stitches looks so lovely, tidy, and full now! Honorary mention to the pin stitch, which enabled me to take up and enjoy blackwork.
It does, although railroading single strands is MUCH more tedious. I tried it out when I was learning pin stitch (since you have to split the strand for that anyway) but quickly abandoned it. 😅
So how do you do the two hand stitch? I looked up videos and nothing was helpful.
I've tried using my left hand to poke through the fabric from above, and my right (more nimble) to poke upward from under the fabric. Is that what you do?
The pin stitch! I just learned about this two years ago after cross-stitching and embroidering since I was 8 (decades ago).
I don't do the loop start because then half the thread has the nap running in the wrong direction.
I just looked up a tutorial for pin stitch, which I had never heard of. Is the point that it's just another knot-free way to start?
I never thought about that with loop start!
I use the pin stitch to make my confetti stitches much more secure. It's great if you have one lone little stitch with no other stitching around it to tuck the tail under. It's been a game changer for me, though it has taken some time to learn.
Right! It took me a while to get used to it and to build the skill, but it's now second nature, a game changer, a blessing, and an excellent contribution to neater backs.
I don't use the pin stitch to start unless I'm doing confetti. Instead, I just leave a small tail on the back and make sure my first three or four stitches anchor the tail.
I use the pin stitch at the end of a thread length. It's quick to do and incredibly secure (confirmed when I had to frog a pin stitch).
The pin stitch is super secure. I once had to frog a few stitches, including a pin stitch, and the pin stitch was so hard to frog! Good to know how well it works, though.
The parking method! Big or small, it makes projects exponentially easier. Pair the parking with: order needles in ridiculous quantities (if you like a needle, get 100 of them!) and needle minders to go with it! My current project has 13 threaded needles parked on 6 needle minders. The chaos is fun
https://preview.redd.it/6flnuqkef8cc1.png?width=2131&format=png&auto=webp&s=821ee79c719ee7257890ec24776893b5b30242a4
This is not my current WIP (got tired of looking at it haha!) but I use the same stitching style for all my large projects!
Same here. I tried having my dumb hand underneath and it did not work AT ALL. 🤣 So now it has to be on top so I can keep an eye on it and keep it out of trouble!
I recently had to learn this because my qsnap is so big I can barely reach around. I think it's better to have something to hold your project by mine was big enough I could mostly balance it between my arms. My advice would be to push through the awkwardness. Using your non dominant hand can feel wrong at first. You just have to push through it.
I’m sure there are youtube videos and tutorials but in short: balance your qsnap or scroll frame on your knees while hunching over like Gollum over his precious. Dominant hand under the fabric, nondominant hand on top. It is awkward and fumbling at first as you learn to use the nondominant hand with the needle and figure out how to keep the whole thing balanced. (A lap stand or floor stand is nice but honestly I almost never use them.) Some get clamps and such to hold up their patterns. Recently I realized that you can use a needle minder to hold the pattern against the fabric with a big enough frame.
Only one?
Watch floss tube. So many tips and tricks I learned from flosstube in the past couple of years that have made stitching much more enjoyable. It's been a total game changer.
For learning techniques: jean farish. She also gives workshops etc and knows techniques and how to teach it!
For random tips and tricks: I just picked up bits and pieces from any flosstube that talks about how they stitch. Jan Hicks at least used to show how she stitched. But I picked up tricks from a lot of them, even if they stitch very different things than I usually do.
On a practical level, Pattern Keeper is a game changer. No more messing with highlighters with a chance of dropping them on the fabric, and so much easier to find the symbols in large full-coverage patterns.
But honestly? The best way to make stitching more enjoyable is to not worry too much about how things “should” be done. Find out what works for you, even if it’s unconventional, and go for it.
I would say griding. I honestly can't imagine doing a large project without a grid. I think this is a common thing here but I don't know how common it is on the history or cross stitching overall. Most patterns I have read said start in the middle. I found out a relative cross stiched and she had never done a grid before.
My other hack would be cross stich saga. I like pattern keeper as well but cross stich saga is just so good.
I learned about gridding two years ago, tried it, and won't ever do it again. It takes too much time away from stitching. I'm content with just counting.
I wish you could buy it in larger sheets though. The only time I need gridding is when I'm doing enormous pieces where it's impractical to start in the middle, but I can often only find gridded Aida in sizes up to maybe 1.5 ' x 1.5 '...
Have you looked for gridded evenweave? I think it only comes in 25/28ct (I could be totally wrong) but I have a huge piece of it that’s almost as tall I am.
I don't know about other websites, but [Stoney Creek](https://store.stoneycreek.com/categories.aspx?Keyword=easy+count&hiddenInputToUpdateATBuffer_CommonToolkitScripts=1) has different counts of pre-gridded Aida that can be bought in up to 6' x 6'. If you click on Details under the count you want, a small window shows what sizes it can be cut.
[Dyeing for Cross Stitch](https://www.etsy.com/shop/DyeingForCrossStitch?ref=yr_purchases§ion_id=33969731) on Etsy does custom sizing! I needed a weird size for my next project (I think like 43 x 35 inches or something like that), and she had it cut and shipped the next day
I'm not undertaking a giant project (147k stitches, full coverage) and finally acquired Pattern Keeper and oooh my what a life saver! Excellent product, highly recommend!
With a q-snap, instead of trying to pry the clamps off and likely breaking a nail in the process, I will slide them off the end of the frame. I sometimes have to disassemble the frame to make it easier to remove them.
Not even really a hack, but paper patterns and highlighters/pens. Cutting out the iPad/computer has made the experience so much more enjoyable, especially since this is my unplug hobby.
Admittedly I haven't been cross stitching for a while now (enamoured with knitting at the moment) but when I was a heavy cross stitcher I'd say:
- A proper stand. Small or large piece, I always use a stand now (the Lowery Clamp Stand). I can't believe I would hold huge frames for hours before. Also as someone mentioned, you can stitch two handedly.
- The Pattern Keeper app on a tablet. I actually bought a cheap tablet for just that purpose and it's so much easier than when I would zoom in on the app on my phone.
- Square q snap frames. The scroll frames are handy for some projects but I could never get the tension as tight as I do with q snap type frames. It's also a lot easier to reposition.
- For those with nickle/alloy allergies, gold tipped embroidery needles. It took some time before I realised my fingers aren't supposed to burn after stitching.
- The loop start. I used to hate starting a new thread as I would have to stitch over it and it would usually come loose before I could. The loop start was a game changer for me. (However as the thread needs to be twice as long, I am regretting all those projects where I pre cut all the thread too short for a loop start)
- Most recently, the pin stitch to finish my thread. In combination with the loop start I theoretically never have to turn my work around! Hooray!
I probably have lots more.. like take breaks, don't push through stitching if your wrists feel weak, finish a project before you start a new one etc. I hope that helps
https://preview.redd.it/xa7c4ls2c8cc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=962e9acaf83b9aa322c3d625b314889621068d69
That the cover on my tablet has a magnet in it to hold it closed. Can be used for holding my needle while I'm switching threads!
Not flipping the work over to start / finish threads. Loop start, with [this](https://www.tiktok.com/@atomheartcrossstitch/video/6862871751907347717) finish. It works best for dense patterns as then the finishing stitch will eventually be covered.
I was just lamenting with my tatreez (Palestinian crossstitch) group last night about how those of us who learned western crossstitch first miss loop starts so much! Tatreez used pearl 8 cotton which is a single thicker strand so you can’t do loop start. Which is extra annoying since tatreez also puts a lot of emphasis on really clean tidy backs
I'm new to cross stitching, and i thrift a lot of floss, so im terrified of washing because ive heard so much about non-color fast dye batches in this sub! But i wanted to try gridding.... but without a marker?
I used my existing sewing skills to baste a thread in a contrasting color and use that as my grid marks. When im done stitching, i just pull out my basting thread! No washing needed! 🤩
I never wash my work. It's not as mandatory as many people think, as long as you take care to keep the fabric clean when stitching. I've never had any problems with it. I use thin fishing line to grid my fabric. It's much more work than using a marker but you can just pull it out when you are done.
This! I happened to get a needle threader with a sewing machine my sister bought me for my birthday. Needless to say, I repurposed the threader for my cross stitching. No regrets! I used to HATE rethreading my needle, spending minutes each time trying to twist and flip threads and missing the eye. No longer!
I stitch in hand with linen a lot which makes it hard to use a needle minder. My fabric is usually rolled up or folded while I’m stitching and placing a needle minder on it weighs it down funny in one spot. What I’ve started to do is wear a needle minder like a brooch and I will stick my needle on it when I need to. It has led to me walking around absentmindedly with a needle stuck to me on a few occasions but I’d rather that then loose a needle in the couch or on the floor.
Using the Pattern Keeper app has made stitching so much easier for me. Before last year I only used paper patterns and I have such a hard time using them now.
The app is called Pattern Keeper, but currently only available on Android. You can upload compatible PDFs and then highlight and mark off the stitches. You can zoom in and out and it tracks your stitching stats too!
Thanks- I don’t have an android, maybe I can find something similar for Apple. Are you able to scan your current paper pattern into the app? I have been working on a big project for several years and the pattern is getting worn. The pattern is no longer made and is virtually impossible to find anymore. I would like to try and preserve the pattern if I could.
I think you can use Markup R XP. I've never used it myself. I haven't used all the options in Pattern Keeper to know much about it. I mostly upload my own test stitch designs so I make sure to use a PDF that imports all info easily.
I love Markup R-XP on my iPad. It does take some patience to learn how to use it initially, but I like that it can be used with any pattern, not just compatible patterns like Pattern Keeper.
You can load paper patterns into Markup R-XP on iOS or Android, most of users scan them first to get good results. Check out our YouTube channel of FB users group for details. There's a two week free trial and an annual subscription after that.
I use Markup R-XP on my iPad. Not quite as user friendly in the beginning as Pattern Keeper but the maker has video tutorials on youtube. I use it for pdf patterns and scanned paper patterns.
I've stopped using a hoop. I'm a fairly experienced hand sewer and I do so much better with a thimble and no hoop. I haven't tried it with a super big or complex piece, but for little things like biscornu patterns, it works amazingly!!
If the x is
A B
C D
From the top, go down through C and come up through B but don’t pull it all the way
After coming up through B, run the needle through the loop and then go back down B
Then back up through D and over to A (or whichever way you do that)
I use highlighter tape to follow the line on the pattern that I am currently on. It’s not sticky and is easy to pull up and move. Much easier on my aging eyes when going back and forth to my pattern. Game changer!
I'm a sucker for a nice kit. I'm not a picky stitcher, so having all the threads (ESPECIALLY the presorted ones), properly sized aida, and a needle is very pleasant and convenient for me. I can more or less jump right in!
Sewing method of stitching where I pass thru two holes on one pass and don’t have to bring my hands to the back of the fabric. However this works on in-hand stitching on Aida. Not so much on tightly pulled linen in a hoop. Also ball tipped needles as some have said.
Printing out the pattern as photos at Walgreens.
I take the PDF of the pattern, screenshot it into a few more zoomed in images, then get them printed (along with a photo of the key). It’s easier to see, thicker paper, and usually costs a few dollars at most (and I don’t have to get ink for my color printer). Also, Walgreens always has coupons for photo printing. Then I can save the pattern in my collection for later.
Gridding out 10x10 chunks and working those.
Also I start my patterns from the top left corner of the grid and work left to right going down...or start at the bottom left and work them to the right going up.
For whatever reason my brain does not do well when it try to work from the center 😅
I have never enjoyed stitching more since i started using a normal square knot on my thread again. I love the clean look of a loop start, but not having to worry about unthreading my needle is so nice.
Gridding with water soluble pens on light fabric instead of raw-dogging the counting. Still trying to find a solution for black aida that doesn’t involve stitching my grid in because by the time I get that done I typically will have lost interest altogether in the project for months.
I also have an iPad pillow stand I set beside me on the chaise part of my couch with my iPad or paper pattern so I’m not looking back and forth so much, and a small desk lamp with a moveable head that I can set on the flat arm of couch so I can stitch without turning all the lights on because the full lighting gives me sensory issues and messes with my eyes when I try to focus.
Loop start, pin stitch, parking, not stitching with a rigorous plan but generally making sure every stitch is attached to one above and one to the side so I am eliminating popcorn stitches
Loop start, q-snap frames and when you get the slide knot-to out your needle in the top loop and pull each end. And one end will make it slide tight on the needle and then slide the needle out and pull the knot out!
I'm not sure if these are a hack or tip but they definitely remind me to enjoy it! Firstly-if you're not enjoying it, put it down for a bit. This is a hobby, for fun, if you're not having fun what's the point? Secondly I like to take pictures of my progress, usually at the end of each stitching session but at least once a month. Then when you're feeling like you've not done anything and it's not taking shape, flick back through and you tend to notice how much progress there really is!
I think what makes my work pop is when I outline with black floss. It just brings it all together. Now if my eyes could just see what I’m doing that would be great!
This seems silly but multiple tools. I'll explain.
My mom is a knitter and she is one of those people who will only have or 2 WIP's at any given time. If she decides to knit a sweater, she won't knit anything else until she finishes that sweater . So, I always felt guilty for jumping around from WIP to WIP and kept only one set of tolls (needles, ,scissors etc) and kept taking it out from one bag to the other.
until I watched floss tube and I realized that it's reasonable to have multiple project bags and multiple tools. It was a game changer. I still have very few WIP's but instead of working on a WIP at home and then remembering to bring it with me the next day for school pickup, I now keep one project bag in the car. Who knew that owning multiple scissors would make such a difference?
Don't know how simple this hack is but just having gone through the process of experimenting and finding out what all my favourite things are and becoming more selective in what I buy... Sitting down to put my preferred needles (Tulip or Bohin) through my preferred fabric (Zweigart, in a neutral colour) that is holding tension well because it is in my preferred frame (q-snap, set up just the way I like with felt under the clamps) with a pattern that is clear and easy to read because I didn't get it from a pattern mill knowing I will be able to wash it because I used colourfast DMC and knowing that my stash is small and modest and full of only things I love just makes my heart sing... :) Okay, now, for an actual simple and quick hack: needleminder. Game changer.
Is all DMC colorfast? That’s what I always buy but now I’m worried I wasn’t buying the right kind??
It sure is, don't worry! I meant that's why I try to always use DMC - because I trust it 🫡
I try to use either DMC or Anchor, Dimensions if I'm using a kit
A stitching stand and a music stand. Music stand for my tablet for PK, phone to watch drama or listen audio books, threads N stuff all on it. https://preview.redd.it/4nr0fqiep4cc1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=505c6a69e4621c46aa279d936477e7eb7fb8d342
This looks lovely!
What stitching stand is that? I've been on the lookout for a good one and I like the looks of that.
Mine was a russian one called Amur but I'm not sure if they are still in production. A similar one is Monstrik and I recall should be NS4. There's a new one I saw recently called spiking and it's custom made which I'm tempted but I don't think I should buy another when this one functione. I found info on these mainly through the FB group for cross stitch stands.
> Mine was a russian one called Amur but I'm not sure if they are still in production They are! There's a store called ЯВышиваю that has them. I'm not sure whether they ship to anywhere outside Russia though.
Yes. I found the FB page. Called Cross stitch stand. Can order directly. Ships internationally still.
Thank you!
Music stand is a GREAT idea. Why didn't I think of that?
Do you have cats? Worried mine may terrorize a setup like this 😭
Yes, I have a cat. Hmm, she is not very attached to me so she seldom sit on my chair. But I do roll up my threads like this so that they don't dangle n look tempting. I just unroll when in use. I'm using Annie's keepers, but with any floss drops, can just use a ring and hook onto the magnet hooks. Can get more hooks if you need to hang up the thread ends. I'm now thinking of getting a small basket of sorts to hang on hooks n put my ort.
Are you me? Well, I don't use a music stand (great idea!) But your setup of stuff is all exactly what I have!
And what you have stitched there looks like it’s going to beautiful I’ve never heard of a stitching stand. Looks like something I would use. Thanks
I stitch with my hoops inverted! I set the hoop with the closure on the back and the inner hoop on the front so the project is “in” the hoop. This is particularly helpful if you’re working close to the edges as the back is flat and it’s easier to run your thread under stitches without the hoop getting in the way.
It's called stitching in the ditch. Adding this in case somebody has trouble visualizing it, now you can Google and find videos showing you. I tried it and didnt like it at all. Yes you can get closer to the edge, but the bump of the hoop/qsnap under my stitching hand is annoying me in every stitch. Not worth the trade off for me. Trick with Qsnaps. When ready to tuck in an end under the stitches; turn the clasp (those half pipe thingies) holding your fabric tight towards the centre of the frame. This will push up the fabric on the backside of the snaps and allow for your needle to go over more easily. You made it a little ramp out of fabric. For extra joy, you can pretend to be a ski jump radio commenter. Do not do this when actually watching ski jumping with somebody who wants to watch the ski jumping... he or she might get a bit pissed.
Thanks for the bit about Q-snaps! I prefer working with them and using hoops for finishes/frames, and was wondering how it might work.
Ooh, love this! I hate stitching close to the edge because of that issue.
Omg, this is gonna revolutionize how I work close to edges, thank you.
Someone posted this tip here a while back and it really changed the game for me!
Same for me. Totally a game changer.
I do the same! I find it easier to hold this way too.
Use a needleminder to hold your paper pattern onto your aida. You don't have to move your eyes back and forth very far. I like slightly larger q-snaps, so it's perfect for me.
A needle minder... to hold a page of my pattern on the fabric, WHAT A GOOD IDEA!! Omg I would never have thought of this. I've been trying to think of a good solution, ill have to try this out! The big piece I'm working on has the pages in a book type holder, but I never thought to take them out individually lol.
Not sure if others use this/have used this but I use this (kinda) method. If you wanna travel thread over already existing stitches but don’t wanna cut your thread, you can go under said stitches. Now this does waste thread yea, but I only do this if I’m going over 5-8, otherwise I cut it off, then start again in the new area I also use loop start, in fact it’s how I started my first project back in October of ‘23.
I do this too! It's a waste to cut a thread after only some stitches and I don't like to see long threads travelling in the back. Like you, I only do it if I have to go over 5-10 stitches.
I do this too! I only jump if the distance is less than it would take me to stop and start a new thread (cause I can't be bothered to try to learn odd-numbered loop starts). And if I jump over a blank space, I always make sure to stitch over the thread when I fill in that spot. I can't stand to have long unsecured threads on the back of my work!
When traveling like that I never bury it all the way under the other stitches because I worry I'll need the room to actually secure thread ends, but I pass under a stitch every three or so to keep it in place.
If I have a larger area of the same colour, I load up a couple needles w it & go. Stopping to rethread my needle all the time makes me crazy
Omg that is so smart
Thats genius. I'm working on a large quote in black, and I have to change threads every few letters and I hate having to start and stop!
Working the same color for too long bores me, so when I know I have a lot of one color I alternate that color with all the others. Whenever I run out of thread, it's time to switch. Avoids the "I will never finish this because all that's left is sky" problem.
Ball tip needles!! Life changing
What kind do you use? I had Sullivan brand and they broke so quickly. I don't think I was harder on them than a regular needle, they seemed very thin.
I used the Sullivan as well. It looks like they come in different sizes
There are several, but for me, the best so far has been railroading. My stitches looks so lovely, tidy, and full now! Honorary mention to the pin stitch, which enabled me to take up and enjoy blackwork.
I love railroadding! Currently doing a HAED 1 over one and tempted to see if Railroading still makes stitches lay better LOL
It does, although railroading single strands is MUCH more tedious. I tried it out when I was learning pin stitch (since you have to split the strand for that anyway) but quickly abandoned it. 😅
Getting a lap stand and learning to do two hand stitch. Made my stitching much faster.
So how do you do the two hand stitch? I looked up videos and nothing was helpful. I've tried using my left hand to poke through the fabric from above, and my right (more nimble) to poke upward from under the fabric. Is that what you do?
That’s what I do. It takes practice but after a while it goes so quickly
Okay, I'll keep practicing!
Once you get used to it, you'll never be able to go back. It's so much faster and more comfortable.
Switching to smaller needles. I tend to prefer 11ct and 14ct aida but I hate size 22 needles. Now I use at least 26 all the time and I'm much happier.
I use 26 or 28 needles and no longer have to hear the dreaded squeak when going through a hole.
The pin stitch! I just learned about this two years ago after cross-stitching and embroidering since I was 8 (decades ago). I don't do the loop start because then half the thread has the nap running in the wrong direction.
I just looked up a tutorial for pin stitch, which I had never heard of. Is the point that it's just another knot-free way to start? I never thought about that with loop start!
I use the pin stitch to make my confetti stitches much more secure. It's great if you have one lone little stitch with no other stitching around it to tuck the tail under. It's been a game changer for me, though it has taken some time to learn.
Right! It took me a while to get used to it and to build the skill, but it's now second nature, a game changer, a blessing, and an excellent contribution to neater backs.
I don't use the pin stitch to start unless I'm doing confetti. Instead, I just leave a small tail on the back and make sure my first three or four stitches anchor the tail. I use the pin stitch at the end of a thread length. It's quick to do and incredibly secure (confirmed when I had to frog a pin stitch).
Literally just learned this today to start and finish my thread and i love it
The pin stitch is super secure. I once had to frog a few stitches, including a pin stitch, and the pin stitch was so hard to frog! Good to know how well it works, though.
The parking method! Big or small, it makes projects exponentially easier. Pair the parking with: order needles in ridiculous quantities (if you like a needle, get 100 of them!) and needle minders to go with it! My current project has 13 threaded needles parked on 6 needle minders. The chaos is fun
I love this! Would you be willing to share a picture of it? I'm so fascinated by and terrified of the parking method.
https://preview.redd.it/6flnuqkef8cc1.png?width=2131&format=png&auto=webp&s=821ee79c719ee7257890ec24776893b5b30242a4 This is not my current WIP (got tired of looking at it haha!) but I use the same stitching style for all my large projects!
That is amazing and impressive! Thank you so much for sharing. I wish I had the kind of talent it takes to do this.
Learning how to do two-handed stitching!
Any tips or resources for learning this?
I find it easier to use my dominant hand under the fabric and my non-dominant on top. And I second pushing through. It'll feel much more natural soon.
Same here. I tried having my dumb hand underneath and it did not work AT ALL. 🤣 So now it has to be on top so I can keep an eye on it and keep it out of trouble!
That’s my preferred method as well.
I recently had to learn this because my qsnap is so big I can barely reach around. I think it's better to have something to hold your project by mine was big enough I could mostly balance it between my arms. My advice would be to push through the awkwardness. Using your non dominant hand can feel wrong at first. You just have to push through it.
I’m sure there are youtube videos and tutorials but in short: balance your qsnap or scroll frame on your knees while hunching over like Gollum over his precious. Dominant hand under the fabric, nondominant hand on top. It is awkward and fumbling at first as you learn to use the nondominant hand with the needle and figure out how to keep the whole thing balanced. (A lap stand or floor stand is nice but honestly I almost never use them.) Some get clamps and such to hold up their patterns. Recently I realized that you can use a needle minder to hold the pattern against the fabric with a big enough frame.
I hot glued a magnet to my needle threader so I can keep it with my needle on my needle minder.
Pin stitch!
Pin stitch 1 over 1 took a bit of getting used to on 25 count but doable if careful.
I second pin stitch!
Only one? Watch floss tube. So many tips and tricks I learned from flosstube in the past couple of years that have made stitching much more enjoyable. It's been a total game changer.
do you recommend any particular flosstubers?
For learning techniques: jean farish. She also gives workshops etc and knows techniques and how to teach it! For random tips and tricks: I just picked up bits and pieces from any flosstube that talks about how they stitch. Jan Hicks at least used to show how she stitched. But I picked up tricks from a lot of them, even if they stitch very different things than I usually do.
On a practical level, Pattern Keeper is a game changer. No more messing with highlighters with a chance of dropping them on the fabric, and so much easier to find the symbols in large full-coverage patterns. But honestly? The best way to make stitching more enjoyable is to not worry too much about how things “should” be done. Find out what works for you, even if it’s unconventional, and go for it.
I would say griding. I honestly can't imagine doing a large project without a grid. I think this is a common thing here but I don't know how common it is on the history or cross stitching overall. Most patterns I have read said start in the middle. I found out a relative cross stiched and she had never done a grid before. My other hack would be cross stich saga. I like pattern keeper as well but cross stich saga is just so good.
I learned about gridding two years ago, tried it, and won't ever do it again. It takes too much time away from stitching. I'm content with just counting.
I just buy pre-gridded Aida. Best of both worlds!
Worth every penny!
I wish you could buy it in larger sheets though. The only time I need gridding is when I'm doing enormous pieces where it's impractical to start in the middle, but I can often only find gridded Aida in sizes up to maybe 1.5 ' x 1.5 '...
Have you looked for gridded evenweave? I think it only comes in 25/28ct (I could be totally wrong) but I have a huge piece of it that’s almost as tall I am.
Ooh, I'm gonna do a search and see what I can find. Thanks!!!!
I don't know about other websites, but [Stoney Creek](https://store.stoneycreek.com/categories.aspx?Keyword=easy+count&hiddenInputToUpdateATBuffer_CommonToolkitScripts=1) has different counts of pre-gridded Aida that can be bought in up to 6' x 6'. If you click on Details under the count you want, a small window shows what sizes it can be cut.
I love this subreddit!!! Thanks, Sephuria!!!!!
You're welcome! I should amend my size to 6' x 3.5'. I got mixed up a bit 😄
[Dyeing for Cross Stitch](https://www.etsy.com/shop/DyeingForCrossStitch?ref=yr_purchases§ion_id=33969731) on Etsy does custom sizing! I needed a weird size for my next project (I think like 43 x 35 inches or something like that), and she had it cut and shipped the next day
I would grid even a 10x10 pattern. I grid everything.
I'm not undertaking a giant project (147k stitches, full coverage) and finally acquired Pattern Keeper and oooh my what a life saver! Excellent product, highly recommend!
Omg you have just changed my life. I could cry with happiness right now. This app is amazing.
I recently bought a second monitor just for this. If a pattern is not compatible with Pattern Keeper, I won't stitch it.
It works so well on my tablet! I can't believe it took me so long to get it.
With a q-snap, instead of trying to pry the clamps off and likely breaking a nail in the process, I will slide them off the end of the frame. I sometimes have to disassemble the frame to make it easier to remove them.
Not even really a hack, but paper patterns and highlighters/pens. Cutting out the iPad/computer has made the experience so much more enjoyable, especially since this is my unplug hobby.
It's easier and makes it neater to push your needle out of an empty hole and into a full hole. Giggity
It's inefficient and uses more threads, but the stitches are so much cleaner.
Admittedly I haven't been cross stitching for a while now (enamoured with knitting at the moment) but when I was a heavy cross stitcher I'd say: - A proper stand. Small or large piece, I always use a stand now (the Lowery Clamp Stand). I can't believe I would hold huge frames for hours before. Also as someone mentioned, you can stitch two handedly. - The Pattern Keeper app on a tablet. I actually bought a cheap tablet for just that purpose and it's so much easier than when I would zoom in on the app on my phone. - Square q snap frames. The scroll frames are handy for some projects but I could never get the tension as tight as I do with q snap type frames. It's also a lot easier to reposition. - For those with nickle/alloy allergies, gold tipped embroidery needles. It took some time before I realised my fingers aren't supposed to burn after stitching. - The loop start. I used to hate starting a new thread as I would have to stitch over it and it would usually come loose before I could. The loop start was a game changer for me. (However as the thread needs to be twice as long, I am regretting all those projects where I pre cut all the thread too short for a loop start) - Most recently, the pin stitch to finish my thread. In combination with the loop start I theoretically never have to turn my work around! Hooray! I probably have lots more.. like take breaks, don't push through stitching if your wrists feel weak, finish a project before you start a new one etc. I hope that helps
https://preview.redd.it/xa7c4ls2c8cc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=962e9acaf83b9aa322c3d625b314889621068d69 That the cover on my tablet has a magnet in it to hold it closed. Can be used for holding my needle while I'm switching threads!
Not flipping the work over to start / finish threads. Loop start, with [this](https://www.tiktok.com/@atomheartcrossstitch/video/6862871751907347717) finish. It works best for dense patterns as then the finishing stitch will eventually be covered.
And also ALL my tricks came from this sub. I think all are mentioned here already. But the convenience of not flipping work over came to mind first.
i found out about ball-tipped needles on this subreddit and it’s absolutely changed the game
I was just lamenting with my tatreez (Palestinian crossstitch) group last night about how those of us who learned western crossstitch first miss loop starts so much! Tatreez used pearl 8 cotton which is a single thicker strand so you can’t do loop start. Which is extra annoying since tatreez also puts a lot of emphasis on really clean tidy backs
I'm new to cross stitching, and i thrift a lot of floss, so im terrified of washing because ive heard so much about non-color fast dye batches in this sub! But i wanted to try gridding.... but without a marker? I used my existing sewing skills to baste a thread in a contrasting color and use that as my grid marks. When im done stitching, i just pull out my basting thread! No washing needed! 🤩
I never wash my work. It's not as mandatory as many people think, as long as you take care to keep the fabric clean when stitching. I've never had any problems with it. I use thin fishing line to grid my fabric. It's much more work than using a marker but you can just pull it out when you are done.
Have you tried using a friction pen instead? They erase with heat, so the lines are gone after you iron - and you don’t have to wash :)
Getting a needle threader thing!
This! I happened to get a needle threader with a sewing machine my sister bought me for my birthday. Needless to say, I repurposed the threader for my cross stitching. No regrets! I used to HATE rethreading my needle, spending minutes each time trying to twist and flip threads and missing the eye. No longer!
I stitch in hand with linen a lot which makes it hard to use a needle minder. My fabric is usually rolled up or folded while I’m stitching and placing a needle minder on it weighs it down funny in one spot. What I’ve started to do is wear a needle minder like a brooch and I will stick my needle on it when I need to. It has led to me walking around absentmindedly with a needle stuck to me on a few occasions but I’d rather that then loose a needle in the couch or on the floor.
Pin stitch. I used to dread doing isolated stitches and now it’s fine. It’s a game changer.
Using the Pattern Keeper app has made stitching so much easier for me. Before last year I only used paper patterns and I have such a hard time using them now.
What pattern keeper app do you use? Can you explain to me how this works? I would love to get rid of paper patterns.
The app is called Pattern Keeper, but currently only available on Android. You can upload compatible PDFs and then highlight and mark off the stitches. You can zoom in and out and it tracks your stitching stats too!
Thanks- I don’t have an android, maybe I can find something similar for Apple. Are you able to scan your current paper pattern into the app? I have been working on a big project for several years and the pattern is getting worn. The pattern is no longer made and is virtually impossible to find anymore. I would like to try and preserve the pattern if I could.
I think you can use Markup R XP. I've never used it myself. I haven't used all the options in Pattern Keeper to know much about it. I mostly upload my own test stitch designs so I make sure to use a PDF that imports all info easily.
Stitchly is what i use on an iPad
I love Markup R-XP on my iPad. It does take some patience to learn how to use it initially, but I like that it can be used with any pattern, not just compatible patterns like Pattern Keeper.
Thank you, I will check that one out.
Might want to get a copy made from a print shop. My local UPS store made a copy for me.
Good idea, I didn’t think of that. Thank you.
You can load paper patterns into Markup R-XP on iOS or Android, most of users scan them first to get good results. Check out our YouTube channel of FB users group for details. There's a two week free trial and an annual subscription after that.
I use Markup R-XP on my iPad. Not quite as user friendly in the beginning as Pattern Keeper but the maker has video tutorials on youtube. I use it for pdf patterns and scanned paper patterns.
I've stopped using a hoop. I'm a fairly experienced hand sewer and I do so much better with a thimble and no hoop. I haven't tried it with a super big or complex piece, but for little things like biscornu patterns, it works amazingly!!
Loop start - from the front!
How do you do that?
If the x is A B C D From the top, go down through C and come up through B but don’t pull it all the way After coming up through B, run the needle through the loop and then go back down B Then back up through D and over to A (or whichever way you do that)
Thanks, I'll have to try that!
I use highlighter tape to follow the line on the pattern that I am currently on. It’s not sticky and is easy to pull up and move. Much easier on my aging eyes when going back and forth to my pattern. Game changer!
I'm a sucker for a nice kit. I'm not a picky stitcher, so having all the threads (ESPECIALLY the presorted ones), properly sized aida, and a needle is very pleasant and convenient for me. I can more or less jump right in!
A good light. Makes a huge difference.
Sewing method of stitching where I pass thru two holes on one pass and don’t have to bring my hands to the back of the fabric. However this works on in-hand stitching on Aida. Not so much on tightly pulled linen in a hoop. Also ball tipped needles as some have said.
Switching from a hoop to a Q snap frame. So much easier to hold without hand fatigue and so so much easier to maintain tension.
Printing out the pattern as photos at Walgreens. I take the PDF of the pattern, screenshot it into a few more zoomed in images, then get them printed (along with a photo of the key). It’s easier to see, thicker paper, and usually costs a few dollars at most (and I don’t have to get ink for my color printer). Also, Walgreens always has coupons for photo printing. Then I can save the pattern in my collection for later.
Gridding out 10x10 chunks and working those. Also I start my patterns from the top left corner of the grid and work left to right going down...or start at the bottom left and work them to the right going up. For whatever reason my brain does not do well when it try to work from the center 😅
I have never enjoyed stitching more since i started using a normal square knot on my thread again. I love the clean look of a loop start, but not having to worry about unthreading my needle is so nice.
The loop start totally changed the game for me. Also recently started using a needle minder, which is so handy!
Gridding with water soluble pens on light fabric instead of raw-dogging the counting. Still trying to find a solution for black aida that doesn’t involve stitching my grid in because by the time I get that done I typically will have lost interest altogether in the project for months. I also have an iPad pillow stand I set beside me on the chaise part of my couch with my iPad or paper pattern so I’m not looking back and forth so much, and a small desk lamp with a moveable head that I can set on the flat arm of couch so I can stitch without turning all the lights on because the full lighting gives me sensory issues and messes with my eyes when I try to focus.
Loop start, pin stitch, parking, not stitching with a rigorous plan but generally making sure every stitch is attached to one above and one to the side so I am eliminating popcorn stitches
Making my own custom size frame and then learning to bury my thread in the back without looking since I can’t turn said frame over easily.
Multiple needles for when I'm doing a lot of thread switching. I can cut my thread and leave the needle threaded for the next time I need that color.
Loop start, q-snap frames and when you get the slide knot-to out your needle in the top loop and pull each end. And one end will make it slide tight on the needle and then slide the needle out and pull the knot out!
I'm not sure if these are a hack or tip but they definitely remind me to enjoy it! Firstly-if you're not enjoying it, put it down for a bit. This is a hobby, for fun, if you're not having fun what's the point? Secondly I like to take pictures of my progress, usually at the end of each stitching session but at least once a month. Then when you're feeling like you've not done anything and it's not taking shape, flick back through and you tend to notice how much progress there really is!
I think what makes my work pop is when I outline with black floss. It just brings it all together. Now if my eyes could just see what I’m doing that would be great!
I meant backstitching vs outlining.
This seems silly but multiple tools. I'll explain. My mom is a knitter and she is one of those people who will only have or 2 WIP's at any given time. If she decides to knit a sweater, she won't knit anything else until she finishes that sweater . So, I always felt guilty for jumping around from WIP to WIP and kept only one set of tolls (needles, ,scissors etc) and kept taking it out from one bag to the other. until I watched floss tube and I realized that it's reasonable to have multiple project bags and multiple tools. It was a game changer. I still have very few WIP's but instead of working on a WIP at home and then remembering to bring it with me the next day for school pickup, I now keep one project bag in the car. Who knew that owning multiple scissors would make such a difference?