When Pianos Try To Be Guitars ([info]popejoan) wrote in [info]craftgrrl,
@ 2004-06-01 09:56:00
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stitching opinion needed
Hi all, I am looking for an opinion. Say you have never, ever done any kind of needlework before but would like to start. What is a good form of beginning needlework? Online, I have been looking at counted cross stitch, stamped cross stitch, no count cross stitch, needle point and plastic canvas cross stitch. I can't tell which one would be best for a true beginner. Any thoughts?

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[info]citizenfrank
2004-06-01 07:59 am UTC (link)
My grandmother started me on counted cross stitch and I picked that up faily easily .. but cross stitch in general is pretty simple! :) good luck!

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[info]popejoan
2004-06-01 08:17 am UTC (link)
Thanks! I will see what I can find at the craft store. The last time I did any needlework was when I was in the 5th grade (I am 27 now)!!!

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[info]marzipan_pig
2004-06-01 08:04 am UTC (link)
stamped would probably be easiest but coanted is pretty simple too. I don't like the feel of working with the plastic. it really all is just making x-es in a pattern though and it's pretty gratifyingly quick (mostly all you need to remember is making them in the same direction and not to be afraid to undo something if you mess up)

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[info]popejoan
2004-06-01 08:16 am UTC (link)
Thanks! I am going to a craft store tomorrow and will check out the stamped and counted cross stitch kits.

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[info]mrs_ralph
2004-06-01 08:21 am UTC (link)
I think the best way to start is to find a kit with a picture you love on it and go from there. Just try not to fall in love with any of those massive 16x22" kits.. (I am working on my second one, a crosstitch, now and I estimate it will take me 2 or 3 years to finish it based on the time it took to finish the last one, a needle point.) When all is said and done needle point is only half cross stitch whit yarn.I am not a big fan of the plastic canvas either though it has its uses... three dimensional things like tissue box covers come to mind. For a quick start you might check the newstand for some magazines on the subject in the Women's Interest or Hobby section... I don't know if they do it in the states but in the UK lots of the cross stitch magazines come with mini-kits as a freebie. They are very small but they are a good way to try it and see if you like it and they can be made into patches, pillow tops, greeting cards and the like.

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[info]popejoan
2004-06-01 08:23 am UTC (link)
Great! Thanks! I will try and not get a kit that is not too large, I am thinking I will stick to no bigger than 6 inch by 6 inch or something close to that size.

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[info]ex_shattered767
2004-06-01 08:44 am UTC (link)
You should find lots of little kits with pictures a little smaller than that for counted cross stitch - that's a good thing to start with.

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[info]popejoan
2004-06-01 08:58 am UTC (link)
Good idea. Maybe the smaller the better. I could even get two little bitty ones in case I really get the hang of it.

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[info]ex_shattered767
2004-06-01 09:04 am UTC (link)
Yep. They make those little like, 2" by 2" kits for a dollar or two and sell them at Michael's and sometimes Wal-Mart and other places (I forget the name and who makes them, sorry, but they have lots of different kits). I made quite a few of those when I started. Consequently, I have little bags of peas and potatoes on my fridge, and my aunt has a bag of dog food. ;)

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[info]dangerbabies
2004-06-01 10:50 am UTC (link)
i learned how to do counted cross-stitch when i was a wee thing, and all of the other wee thing girls in the group i was in picked it up pretty well, too. you should have no problem! and i agree about getting small kits at walmart or wherever. at my walmart they have a bunch of the tiny ones, and theyre only a couple of bucks apiece. you might need to buy a needle, though? i'm not sure if they all come with them. they should though. anyway, they're really simple and come with complete instructions. at the walmart near me they're at the end of the aisle with the knitting needles and plastic canvas and needlepoint stuff. theyre hanging on a plastic thing, the way they hang squirt guns and koosh balls and things like that, near the cereal aisle. hehe.
have fun!

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[info]shay_shay
2004-06-01 11:58 am UTC (link)
I don't know which one of those is better because I only know how to crochet.

But your icon is awesome!

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[info]popejoan
2004-06-01 12:03 pm UTC (link)
Thanks :)

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[info]heresyoftruth
2004-06-04 08:18 am UTC (link)
I put this in the faq under embroidery/crossstitch.

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