Make French Knots Easy!

French knots are one of the most intimidating stitches to learn if you've never mastered them.

Before we get started I want to give you a very sound piece of advice that I had to learn the hard way. When first trying to learn this stitch, I highly recommend practicing several times on scrap fabric until you feel comfortable with the way they look.

French knots are generally done at the very end of a piece to finish it off. By practicing on scrap fabric first, you will ensure that none of your cross stitch projects will get ruined.

Please don't let French knots scare you away from a project. It took me a long time to learn them, once I did though, it opened a whole new world of cross stitch patterns for me. I no longer had to avoid certain favorite projects simply because they had this stitch in them.

Here are the basic steps to creating a French knot:

1. From the reverse side, Insert your needle where the chart shows the French knot should be.

2. Make sure you hold the thread taut at all times. Having any slack in the thread will almost always cause your French knot to be less than perfect. This was the toughest part for me to remember when I first started to learn this stitch.

3. Start at the bottom of the working thread, close to the fabric. Wrap thread around the needle following the charts instructions as to how many threads to use and how many times to wrap it around the needle.

4. Turn the needle and reinsert it at the next fabric thread from where the needle was brought up originally.
5. Pull the needle all the way through while still holding the wrapped threads taut. They should be flat against the fabric.

There you have it...that's all there is to creating a wonderful French knot.

When learning the French knot, the old adage practice makes perfect certainly wrings true. Don't let it get you frustrated.

If you find yourself getting aggravated, simply put the scrap fabric down and work on something a little more fun until you're ready to try again!

source: patternspatch.com

What is Floss (Stranded Thread) Conditioner?

When you cross stitch, have you noticed that occasionally your thread (floss) gets tangled, split, frayed or weak? This can be very noticeable when you use metallic or other rough threads.

If this is a problem, it's time to try a floss (thread) conditioner. Originally, some ingenious stitchers coated their threads with beeswax to soften threads. However, using this can sometimes result in lumpiness or a sticky feel to the project.

'Thread Heaven' is one such conditioner that can be the answer to your stitching prayers. It provides a coating that allows your thread soft and pliable, allowing it to glide through the fabric easily, making stitching easier.

To use 'Thread Heaven':

You first separate the strands of thread, coating them individually by drawing the strands across the surface of the conditioner.

Then you will need to draw the thread between your forefinger and thumb. This will create a minute static charge that reduces tangling.
After many uses, 'Thread Heaven' will become soiled from tiny filaments from your thread. Simply turn the product out of its box with the tip of your scissors. Hey presto - a clean side will be exposed for further use. Most stitchers claim that they didn't know how they managed before they bought it.

Some people recommend having two boxes of 'Thread Heaven' - one for light colours, and another for dark. This extends the life of the product.

An additional way to deal with thread that splits or tangles is to use shorter lengths for stitching. The thread therefore creates less friction with the fabric as you stitch.


Tumble dryer sheets...

Some clever stitchers keep tumble dyer sheets in their workboxes.


This is because these sheets prevent static build-up in clothes when you dry them in the tumble dryer. So - not surprisingly, they work like magic on your threads too. Just draw a length of thread between a folded tumble dryer sheet, and you will notice the difference.


source: patternspatch.com

Adding a Simple Border to a Cross Stitch Design

Use ordinary cross stitches all around your fabric as close to the edge as possible before you start the project. Be sure to allow room for your work.

For a small design just do one line all the way round. For larger designs add more lines of cross stitches. When adding more lines, use more than just one color, picking up colors from the Cross Stitch design you are stitching. Try to pick colors that will not take your eyes away from the finished piece of work.

Adding these borders has the added benefit of stopping the material on the edge of your work from fraying too much.

source: crossstitch.about.com

What would I do if....

I have finished stitching one area, and there is another one nearby that I want to stitch in the same color. There is still some thread left in my needle.
Do not carry thread far on the back if you are going from one area of the design to another. Even the slightest pull will cause a pucker. To get from one area to another that is nearby, you can run your thread under stitches on the back for short distances, as long as the two yarn colors involved are similar. Otherwise, end off your thread and restart it at the new area. Never carry a very dark color when you are working on a light color fabric.

source: caron-net.com

Beware of Darker Colored Yarns

The darker dye processes are tough on fibers. Many darker colored yarns are thinner and have a different character from the lighter yarns. You may find, for example, that two strands of a certain light colored yarn will cover the canvas adequately, but when you go to a dark color, three strands are needed. The dark colors may be much weaker as well.

source: needlepointfun.com

What should you do ... If made a mistake in your stitching...

If you make a mistake that involves only your last few stitches, remove your needle from the thread and, using the end with the eye, slide the needle under the last stitch and pull up, taking out the thread. Continue to take the stitches out one at a time until the error has been removed. If the mistake is over a large area, you must carefully slide sharp embroidery scissors under the stitches and snip, being careful not to cut the fabric.

source: caron-net.com

"Loop Method" for Stitching with a Single Strand

A variation of the loop method can be used to anchor a thread for single thread stitching.

HOW?

Take a single thread and fold it double.
Pull the two ends through the needle.
Find the middle of the pattern.
Push the needle up through the fabric but keep a loop at the back.
Remove one thread from the needle.
Push the remaining thread down the fabric one (or two) holes from the “entry point” (follow your chart).
Pull needle through the loop.
Take hold of both ends of thread and carefully pull tight. Then you take one thread in one direction and the other in the other direction.

source: www.crossstitchzone.com