Our Friends' HAED SAL: Post from Buddy Morena

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Post from Buddy Morena

As translated from Italian by Kathleen (thank you Kathleen!):

I've cross-stitched for many years, but only recently got a laptop and discovered the world of online designers. I fell in love with HAED at first sight, and am just embarrassed a little by my choice [of patterns]--I began "Isabella" by Molly Harrison at the end of October, and am sewing with DMC mouline [thread] on 72-count Aida.

Kathleen and I would like to know:

Is there really a 72-count Aida, or is it some form of linen? And what is the mouline thread? I've always used regular old cotton floss . . .

Could be lost in translation, maybe?

By the way, I think Isabella is a beautiful chart! - Louanne

4 comments:

marianela said...: May be Aida 12? I think it's easy to confuse between 1 and 7; November 17, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Lizbirdk (UK) said...: Hi
I think 72-count is actually 18 count, but counted over 10cm in true metric fashion. And mouline is just a posh term for stranded cotton! I love seeing all your fantastic projects. You are all amazing!; November 17, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Lonneke said...: I like Isabella!; November 18, 2010 at 1:23 AM
Lexi said...: That's good to know, Lizbirdk ;)

So cool to hear from the other side of the world, happy stitching!; November 18, 2010 at 2:44 AM

Tutorials

How to Carry Threads
This is really easy...it takes a while to get used to though....and your back will look terrible...this you will have to live with...One thing...You will be working your 10 x 10 grids in colums...it makes it easier...
1. Start with a 10 x 10 grid..
2. Find your first symbol...and stitch all of that symbol in your 10 x 10 grid....When finished...
3. Find the same symbol on the 10 x 10 grid below it...take your needle and bring your thread up like you are going to make the first 1/2 of the X ...but don't do it...just unthread your needle and lay the thread down..
4. Go back to the first grid you were working on...and stitch the next symbol the same way....when finished bring your thread down....
5. continue each symbol until your first 10 x 10 grid is finished....
6. start the next 10 x 10 grid ....you should have thread there already for you to pick up and stitch...
Posted by Vickie 3/7/2009

Tent Stitching (Wikipedia)
Tent stitch variants
There are three types of tent stitch, all producing the same appearance on the front of the canvas but each worked in a slightly different way and having particular characteristics, uses, benefits and drawbacks. These variants of tent stitch are known as basketweave, continental and half cross tent stitches:
Basketweave tent stitch - The basketweave form of tent stitch is worked in diagonal rows up and down the canvas. The yarn on the back of the canvas has a typical basketweave appearance, with alternating horizontal and vertical stitches. Basketweave is the best stitch to use for covering large areas of canvas as it does not distort the canvas as the other two forms of tent stitch do.
Continental tent stitch - Continental stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitches appear diagonally across two threads. This method uses more yarn than half cross stitch tent stitch but is more hardwearing.
Half cross tent stitch - Half cross stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitch appears vertical or horizontal, not diagonal, and crosses only one thread. This method uses less yarn than other stitches but is not very durable as coverage on the back of the canvas is a little thin.