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Stitchqueries: How Many Strands?

This question from Amy made me so happy, because I love it when stitchers try new things!

This is my first time stitching a project that isn’t from a kit, it’s also my first time using an evenweave fabric (28 count). The sampler pattern I’m using doesn’t specify how many strands of floss to use and I’m a little nervous about starting. How many strands do you recommend?

First of all, I just want to say YAYYYYYYY ~ seriously happy for you stepping out of the aida and kit comfort zone to try a new format, that’s awesome, I think you’re going to enjoy it.

Stitchqueries-how-many-strands-of-floss

So the number of strands generally depends on how much coverage you want from each stitch.

  • 1 strand gives thin coverage and can sometimes be used for minor fill details, like the sky or a background.
  • 2 strands seems to be the go-to number of strands for basic average coverage on most fabric counts.
  • 3 strands is for very full coverage and sometimes used to make things stand off the fabric more.
  • 4 strands is sometimes used in stamped cross stitch and on larger count fabrics where the X is a lot bigger and has more fabric to cover.

All that being said, you can use as many strands as you’d like. There is no right or wrong.

You could test a few stitches in a part of the fabric you won’t be using, a corner or an edge, just to see how you like the coverage of each number of strands you’re considering. Usually 2 strands provides a decent coverage and it seems to be “the standard” use in most projects.

I hope that helps and I look forward to hearing about your sampler stitching progress! 🙂

Happy Stitching
Loretta

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Filed Under: Stitchqueries

About Loretta

Passionate stitcher. Mom of four amazing young men. Wife to a comic book geek who makes me smile every day. Transcriptionist by trade. Gluten-free by necessity. Writer at heart. Seeker of knowledge and reader of novels. Dreamer of big colorful creative dreams.

Comments

  1. Harriett says

    April 20, 2018 at 7:58 am

    This is my first attempt at evenweave fabric stitching and these “old eyes” are having a difficult time. Do you have any recommendations for magnifiers?

    Reply
    • Jennifer Gray-Alturkistani says

      November 3, 2020 at 4:17 am

      they make great magnifiers ones that hang around your neck and are great for traveling, however they have a drawback, if you move your head or neck while stitching it slips from its resting place on your chest. so I only use this when on the road. the best is a floor model that can rest like a lamp next to your chair and leans over the arm of the chair so you are hands free and can see better! hope this helps

      Reply
  2. Jennifer Gray-Alturkistani says

    November 3, 2020 at 4:10 am

    I’m an old veteran stitcher and quilter started stitching when I was 4yrs on my grandmothers lap.. now I had to stop stitching because of cataracts, now that my surgery is done I want to jump back into the game!!!!
    I want to stitch a wall full couch length hanging. do you have any ideas or tips on this, or know anyone who has done one? let me know excited to get started!

    Reply

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Actually stitched a little every day this year so Actually stitched a little every day this year so far. Mill.Hill Ocean Quartet Turtle 🐢,

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New project start for the new year.On Mill Hill Ma New project start for the new year.On
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The annual stitchalong list is up on the website t The annual stitchalong list is up on the website this week at StitchingtheNightAway.com ~ I hope you find something fun to stitch in the new year. Enjoy and happy stitching 🙂 

#stitchalong #sal #crossstitch #crossstitchersofinstagram #crossstitching #sal #stitchingthenightaway
The annual list of stitchalongs has been posted at The annual list of stitchalongs has been posted at Stitching the Night Away if you're looking for a new #crossstitch project ❤️

https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/big-list-of-cross-stitch-sals-2022/

If you know about one that I've missed, please do share a link in the comments on the blog and point us in the right direction.
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