The Playful Cats is the first cross stitch piece I’m going to try. I love it as shown on the tan fabric but since I’m stitching Addie’s cat, Mr. Kitty, and Boots and Mr. Kitty is a gray cat and Boots is a black cat, I’m using a light gray fabric.
The holes in this picture don’t look nearly as tiny as they look to my old eyes. I have a small magnifying lamp that Vince bought. I think if I were sitting at a table and had it on the table, it might work better than it’s working in my chair. I must find a better lamp.
You can see that I started doing my gridding every rows but decided that was too close, especially since I’ll be using two squares per stitch so I switched to gridding every 20 rows.
This is a fat quarter and it’s taking forever – probably because I’m fighting with keeping this little magnifying glass in position. I will be glad to have the gridding done and get to start on the actual stitching.
With Addie here, I’m betting it will take the rest of the day to do the gridding. She came with just the clothes she had on. I try to keep at least one set of clothes here for her but that hasn’t really happened so she’ll have lots of pajama days (I do keep pjs, undies and socks here). We’ll be busy – lots of things to do besides cross stitching!
Teri says
I have done lots of counted cross-stitch over the years and have never done gridding. What is the reason for it….
Pandy says
I agree Teri. Have never gridded a fabric before doing cross stitch. Usually find the center and start there. Or if starting in a corner, measure the fabric and mark the corner.
Jennifer Breitenbach says
It helps with large pieces that are full of confetti and keeps mistakes at a minimum. I hate when I’ve stitched a whole section and am off by one line!
Judy Laquidara says
Yes! When knitting, I always add way more stitch markers when doing pattern work so I know right off if I’ve made a mistake and not when I get to the end of a LONG row. I feel like gridding is kinda the same thing.
Valerie Zagami says
I haven’t done gridding and am about to look it up.
Darlene says
I’m wondering the same thing – why are you gridding? I’ve heard of it but have never done it.
cindy says
Get a pair of reading glasses. Take the fabric with you to the store (dollar store is cheap and has them hung individually so trying on is easy) and try them on, holding the fabric at the distance you will be holding it to stitch. Try different strengths of reading glasses until you find the one that makes the holes clear for you. A good full spectrum/daylight lamp helps a lot, too. I don’t grid very often, but it is helpful for things that are scattered on the picture. Enjoy your stitching.
Judy Laquidara says
I’m not going in anywhere now so going in and trying something will have to wait til after Covid. I have an Ott light.
Debbie says
Oh, Judy. Please figure out the never having the right clothes for Addie conundrum. I have this same issue. My grandkids come and in spite of the fact that I keep buying clothes, underwear, pajamas, shoes, and coats. They never seem to come with anything other than the clothes on their back and clothes migrate the other way! Partly because the girls often arrive in a gymnastics leotard and barefoot but still!….I’ve bought 4 pairs of shoes this fall and none seem to be here. Same thing for clothes. It’s maddening.
Judy Laquidara says
I’ve already figured it out. I told her today – if you think there’s even a chance you may stay here, bring at least three full sets of clothes and shoes. I keep underwear, pjs, socks, toothbrush and hair stuff here. Otherwise . . come without clothes and you’re not staying. That puts the responsibility on Addie, as well as her parents.
Nelle Coursey says
I have a lighted magnifying glass that goes around the neck. It is great for these kinds of jobs! I am glad to know I am not the only one that didn’t know about gridding but it makes perfect sense! Wish I had done that with my Love Birds! I think it would have made things a lot easier!! I am not finished and I may go back and do this! Thank you for the tip! See I am always learning from you!