Rants, Tantrums, Savvy & Knowhow by Iona (the voice of Counted Cross Stitch) from her Lonely Mountain Retreat.

Regular readers of my Blog will have guessed that I am a bit fussy when it comes to choosing threads. It’s not that I always go for the most expensive things (- in fact in lots of ways, the opposite is true of me), but it’s a fact that when it comes to stitching something really special, I think that it is worth buying threads that look wonderful, and which can produce the very best design possible. After all, a stitched picture will take hours. Is it really worth buying threads that will look lacklustre, or buying threads that are not colourfast? The answer surely must be ‘no’. Not only that, but buying wonderful threads will make a great difference to your finished work.

It is worth looking around to find beautiful threads – and not compromise with the cheap and/or ordinary offers.

For example, I have discovered ‘Hand-Dyed Fibers’ a couple of months ago, and these threads are wonderful, even though I have to order them from halfway across the world. They are truly worth it. They supply highest quality hand dyed silk aimed at stitchers who wish to to create heirloom quality products. Hand Dyed Fibers has over 300 colours in its silk range including variegated colours. These comprise colours from the solid range so it’s easy to mix them and get the look you want.

Silk floss, the most popular item, comes in two weights:
- Regular floss is for one over two stitching on 36-42 count.
- Premimum floss is for one over two stitching on 28-32 count.
Both weights of floss have a monthly assortment at a reduced rate, which can be autoshipped or bought from the website.

The colours used will remain unchanged for 50 to more than 100 years of light exposure with proper mounting and display, and are rated as suitable for artistic use by both the International Standard ISO 105-B and by the ASTM D5398. Perfect for heirloom and reproduction stitching!

The entire colour line was recently reformulated with these dyes, and colours are now based on the DMC colour card by using a machine that scans thecolour. This gives a lightwave read-out of its particular and unique wavelength. The information is then usedto recreate that wavelength read-out on silk, by dyeingthe silk and scanning it until it emits the samewavelength of light as the colour originally scanned.

Hand Dyed Fibers provide conversion charts and packs of threads for popular designs. They also carry a wide range of stitching supplies, including floss and silk perles, silk ribbon and chenille, mother of pearl and finishing items, along with linen.
Check out Hand Dyed Fibers at
www.hand-dyedfibers.com

Perhaps you have a favourite threads manufacturer that you can share with us at Patterns Patch. I’m sure we’ll all be interested to hear of them.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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Astrological Inspiration for Cross Stitching

When we are choosing our next project – whether it is a treat for ourselves, or a gift or card for someone who is a family member, or a friend – it can be a tricky decision. We can be tempted to look through some magazines or books and get inspired by something that catches our eye at the time. Often, a snap decision may result in regret. How many cross stitchers have bought a kit or chart on the spur of the moment, only to regret it later?

One more positive area of choice involves astrological signs. Not everyone believes in the power in Astrology to determine our futures, but for many of us, our astrological sun sign is part of who we are. For example – I am a Libran. I am happy to know about my apparent sense of justice and fairness. I am less enthralled to consider my faults of sitting on the fence and generally dithering when I am required to make a decision - and also prizing beauty over quality. Nevertheless, knowing the irksome traits that I am supposed to have, I am highly motivated to rise above them. So that’s a Good Thing, I tell myself.

The world that we live in is always an uncertain place, and people have always striven to make some sort of sense of it. So Astrology has been considered a source of guidance and help; interpreting the movements and influences of the planets and stars to determine destinies. In our current world, where so many of us feel as if we are being carried along by forces that we are unable to influence (the Credit Crunch being one example) the power and vitality of Astrology can be very appealing.

Another aspect of using astrological signs as cross stitch designs is that there are many beautiful designs to choose from. My own favourite cross stitch resource is a book by Julie Hasler called ‘Fantasy Cross Stitch’ in which there are some beautiful designs for people who love rich designs. Whether you take these ancient beliefs seriously or not, these images are fascinating and make wonderful designs in their own right.

They are suitable for cards or for small pictures; just right for gifts - or a special present for yourself…

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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Some of my favourite completed cross stitch projects are Celtic designs. I have three Celtic cross stitched pictures placed near the entrance of my home – and I hope they give a warm welcome to everyone who comes in. Many people have made positive comments about them, and they do seem to get everyone talking. They are also a delight to stitch. If you have not yet attempted a Celtic cross stitch project, I hope that I can persuade you.

First of all, it’s useful to know a little background information about Celtic design. What are its distinguishing features? What is its history? What is the significance of the various images within the designs? And how easy is Celtic cross stitch to do?

Historically, the earliest origins of the Celts are considered to be about 1000 – 800 BC in Eastern Europe. These original Celts were talented craftspeople who decorated jewellery, pottery and metalwork which are now recognised as being characteristic of Celtic design. These Celts were masters of the chariot and gained a great reputation for being formidable opponents in warfare. The word ‘Celt’ originates from the Greek word, Keltoi used to describe warrior tribes.

These people had a constant desire for warfare and conquest, and their wanderlust brought about a gradual movement of Celtic tribes throughout Europe, and eventually as far as Britain. Strangely enough, they were also a poetic race. They were storytellers of myths and legends, of heroic escapades and strange influences from the Otherworld. These stories inspired their art. When the Romans marched north, conquering most of Europe, the Celts in Scotland, Ireland and Wales escaped defeat and kept their original Celtic culture.

When Christianity was established in Britain and Ireland, Celtic art was developed as decoration for the written word by monks who copied the gospels between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. The Book of Kells, now displayed at Trinity College, Dublin, is the best remaining example of this work, although similar examples exist, namely The Book of Durrow and the Lindisfarne Gospels.

As for the designs, it appears that Celtic designs express many messages. Here are a few:

Animals. The horse was central to Celtic culture, and was worshipped as Epona, the horse goddess. Many effigies of horses in pottery and metal have been found on Celtic sites across Europe. Other animals were also considered sacred. The wild boar was symbolic of ferocity, and the Celts believed that its spirit would make their warriors fierce in battle. Carvings of boars have been found on many helmets excavated from battle grounds, dating from the third to first centuries BC. The bull, salmon, stag, eagle and raven were also believed by the Celts to have their own magical attributes and powers.

In the second century, Man symbolised St Mathew, the Lion symbolised St Mark, the Calf, St Luke and the Eagle, St John. In the fourth century, St Gregory identified the four symbols as the stages of Christ’s life: being born a man, in his death being sacrificed as a calf, a lion in his resurrection, and eventually an eagle to aid his ascension to Heaven.

The Celts worshipped the horned god Cemunnos, often described as Lord of the Animals, the ruler of the natural world. Celtic Knots. Knotwork is considered to represent the repeated crossing of the spiritual and physical paths in our lives. This ‘never ending path’ is thought to symbolise permanence and the continuum of life, love and faith.

Celtic Cross. This is a well known Celtic symbol. Large crosses made of stone are often called ‘High Crosses’, and are emblematic of the Christian faith. The circle is occasionally described as an eternity symbol or halo. Some Celtic Christians also interpret this as a clairvoyant anticipation of the coming gospel by the pre-Christian Druids.

Spirals. Spirals can be found in nature, as plants or snails, or in natural occurrences such as galaxies or whirlpools. Some scholars consider the significance of the direction of the spirals. Clockwise (sunwise) is traditionally indicative of Gaelic blessings and good luck gestures. This is in harmony with the Earth. Conversely, ‘geis’ or spells are made with anti-sunwise motions. Most spirals are made equally of sunwise and anti-sunwise motions. These contain equal numbers of whorls in each direction, and are therefore balanced. There are no universal meaning attributed to the spirals themselves. They may be designed for their beauty alone or for whatever message the designer wishes to convey.

The torc, a twisted band of gold, used as a necklace or bracelet is much treasured. Being circular, the torc symbolises infinity, or the never-ending cycle of life, death and rebirth.

Celtic cross stitched pictures are often beautiful, and are often relatively easy for stitchers who find it difficult to follow charts. This is because the designs are often symmetrical, repetitive or predictable, meaning that that you are less likely to make mistakes when stitching. I have found that Celtic designs in cross stitch grow quickly and give a lot of enjoyment.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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Most of us have been busy making and buying gifts for other people recently. Christmas Day is one week away. Many stitchers are frantically trying to complete projects in time to give them to their loved ones on the Day.

If you’re planning one last shopping expedition before Christmas, why not divert yourself briefly by going into your nearest needlework or craft shop and buying yourself a small present. Of course, if you’re feeling generous, you can always buy a present for a stitching friend too.

The most intriguing news in the stitching world comes from one of the largest companies – DMC. They have just launched a new range of Secret Perfumed Threads. As the name suggests, scents are produced when you stitch with them. They come in three themes, with four perfumes in each. These are: Tutti Frutti (strawberry, orange, lemon and green apple), Delicious Flower Bouquet (rose, lily of the valley, honeysuckle and lavender) and Delicious Sweets (chocolate, vanilla, toffee, almond). This certainly adds interest to cross stitching. Such stitchery can be best appreciated when the finished item is handled a lot – for example a mobile phone case or a small purse. It would seem a shame to place the project in a frame covered with glass. At £1.49 a skein, they will not break the bank.

The Secret Perfume Thread has the same properties as Stranded Cotton and can be substituted into any existing chart.

The scent is added in the form of tiny perfume molecules that react when touched so are slowly released when handled but can be washed up to 40° and will last up to 20 washes. Designs are brought to life with an extra sensory dimension when the thread is stitched and the scent released.

I am unsure as why DMC have named these amazing threads ‘secret’, but the scents from them are wonderful. Everyone will have their favourite. I think that the chocolate scented threads may encourage people to head for the food cupboard – so I think my favourite has got to be ‘rose’.

Let us know which ones you prefer – and also how you have used them.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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Do you have a number of projects on the go at a time? I know I do. I have a several projects ‘on hold’ while I complete some Christmas cards and tree ornaments. There are some disadvantages of putting away your long term projects, however – not least being that the momentum of my work is lost, and it takes a lot of willpower to get back into the swing of my former projects. Is it the same for you?

There are a number of tips for storing your projects to enable them to remain in the best condition, ready for when you can return to your project with fresh determination:

1. Between your stitching sessions, store your project flat, or better still, rolled up - with your stitching facing outwards. This will prevent your stitches from being crushed or distorted.

2. Keep your project away from direct sunlight. Store it in a pillowcase or large zip-lock bag to keep dust-free. A dry, sealed container will prevent visits from moths.

3. If you use an embroidery hoop, remove your project from the hoop between stitching sessions. If you use a tapestry frame, then either loosen its side bars or remove the bars completely. You can roll your stitching around the rollers during storage. Never fold your project. This may leave creases that are difficult to remove.

4. Never leave a steel needle in your work. Any moisture will cause the needle to rust, and this will stain the fabric. Either use gold-plated needles, or park your needles at the edge of your stitching.

5. Store every item you need for your project in one place. Keeping threads separately - or the chart (pattern) - in a separate drawer may result in confusion or loss.

If you store your project well, then it will be a delight to return to.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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We all have our views about what we enjoy in the cross stitching world. Some ideas really inspire us – and others leave us feeling deflated. I wonder what your views are. Here are mine:

What’s Hot!

1. Beautiful threads… satin threads, silks, metallics and blending filaments. Anything that gives us the choice of making our projects different and special gets my vote.

2. Great inventions that make stitching easier. Soluble Waste Canvas and ready-gridded fabric… need I say more! These new products allow us to enjoy our stitching, rather than spend time unpicking mistakes!

3. New stitches! Let’s conquer our fears of French knots, Colonial knots and Algerian eyes etc. They are fun, and you can do them!

4. Patterns Patch Club. As a member, you can download hundreds of patterns free of charge, as well as access articles and tips, and much more.

What’s Definitely Not!

1. Cheap threads. They are dull, lacking in sheen, and also non-colourfast, meaning that the colour runs if they get damp. They are a false economy.

2. Free kits from magazines. Is it my imagination, or are these kits getting smaller and more tatty as time goes on? Why not give readers something more substantial?

3. Quick-kits. Why does everything have to be completed so quickly? One of the pleasures of cross stitching is the joy of stitching; this does not mean that everything has to be finished in two hours.

4. A cross stitch website (you know who you are) that offers the service of making you a wish list that you can email to your friends and family, so that they can buy you the kits (from their site) for Christmas. What happened to the notion that it’s the thought that counts? This seems greedy and unpleasant to me.

Do you have pet loves and hates? Do share them with us.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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I almost used the title for this blog entry : ‘Cross  Stitch Projects to Complete Before You Die’, but that didn’t sound very inviting – so I’ll just stick with suggesting that here are the projects that could bring you the best sense of achievement in life:, even if you only do them once:

1. Family sampler. This is a must. You can make it so personal to you own life, and it will bring so pleasure to stitch and to look at for years ahead. The best way to start is to buy a copy of the wonderful (late) Jo Verso’s book: ‘Picture Your Life in Cross Stitch.’ She describes each stage painstakingly. You can do it!

2. Afghan Blanket. Is there a young baby somewhere in your life? If so, an Afghan blanket – great fabric that contains squares for cross stitched motifs - is a wonderful present for mother and baby.  Get stitching!

3. Celebration of a hobby. What is your passion in life (-besides cross stitching, of course)? If you love birds, then a beautiful bird picture with your favourite birds will bring you joy every time you lift your needle. Perhaps you are a fan of a particular breed of cat or dog – or maybe trains or cars are your addiction. Whatever you love, immortalise it in a cross stitched picture.

4. Stitch for a good cause. Do you know an elderly person, or someone who is ill, or who has special needs? Even if you don’t, there are many charities that focus on stitching for good causes.  See my blog last week, where I listed some of them.

5. A Welcome Picture for the entrance to your home. How better to greet your visitors than to have a warm greeting in the form of a cross stitched picture. A favourite of mine is from Scottish Needlework, and has a Gaelic welcome:

6. An event that is special made into cross stitch. A wedding, young baby, favourite pet… there are so many really special photographs that can be transformed into a cross stitched picture. Members of Patterns Patch club may have this transition from photo to chart (pattern) for no charge.

What a lot of stitching lies ahead for us all. Have a great  time stitching your favourite designs, and do share any other ideas you have for must-do projects.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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I’m always looking for threads that can add an extra dimension to my cross stitched projects. I use the usual stranded cotton threads for most of my work, but I am always interested to see how I can make additional changes to my stitched projects. The most obvious extras involve the range of metallic threads and blending filaments that can be bought. These give a brilliant sheen to the picture, drawing attention to the sparkling quality of the threads. These are eye catching and beautiful, undoubtedly.

However, I’ve recently tried - and become hooked on satin threads. Satin thread is a six-stranded divisible thread which gives a more natural brightness and shimmer to your cross stitch and embroidery creations. It is very similar in feel to rayon. However, it is easier to use than rayon, holding itself together better.

In traditional embroidery, the longer the stitch the more the satin thread will capture the light and brightness. But in counted cross stitch, and other counted thread work, satin thread can be used solely or mixed with other stranded threads to create fantastic effects.

The most interesting effects can be produced when you are wishing to create a shiny surface; this includes the wings of a butterfly, the reflections on the surface of a pool of water or the light of the sunset on the surface of the sea. The effects, although shining, are natural, just as the surfaces of delicate items are affected by the rays of light that fall onto them.

DMC produces a lustrous palette of 36 beautiful shades in eight metre skeins – so there are many possibilities to create a shining colour combination.

I’ve decided that I shall use satin threads more in the future. The sheen they provide gives that extra beauty to a project.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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Unless you choose to work on single-colour projects such as blackwork, it is likely that when you stitch a project, the completed design will contain a number of colours, harmonising to produce a palette of mixed effects that can provide great pleasure along with other aspects of the design, such as shape and texture.

It is interesting to keep in mind how the eye and the mind perceive certain colours and the colour meanings we associate with them. Sometimes, colours create a physical reaction (red has been shown to raise blood pressure) and at other times it is a cultural reaction (in the UK, white is for weddings, but in some Eastern cultures, white is the colour for mourning and funerals).

Here are some of the main meanings associated with colours commonly used:

Red
Red brings your stitches to the foreground. It is the colour of fire and blood, and produces thoughts of energy, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. It is an emotionally intense colour, and can increase the human respiration rate, and blood pressure. It has very high visibility, so it is chosen for ‘stop’ signs.

Orange
Orange also has very high visibility, so you can use it to draw attention to an important area of your stitching. It contains the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and tropical regions. It represents enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, attraction, success and stimulation, and gives the sensation of heat.

Yellow
Yellow is very effective for attracting attention, so you may use it to highlight the most important elements of your design. Yellow is seen before other colours when placed against a dark background in stitching. Yellow reminds us of sunshine. It also symbolises joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. Light yellow tends to disappear into white, so it usually needs a dark colour to highlight it.

Green
Green is the colour of nature, so very popular to use for floral designs. It symbolizes harmony, freshness, and peace, and suggests stability and endurance. It has healing power. It is the most restful colour for the human eye.

Blue
Blue is the colour of the sky and sea. When used together with warm colours like yellow or red, blue can create high-impact, vibrant cross stitch designs. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolises trust, loyalty, wisdom, intelligence, truth, and has a calming effect. Blue is highly accepted among males. Dark blue is associated with depth, expertise, power and stability.

Purple
Purple mixes the stability of blue and the energy of red. It symbolises power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. You may consider this colour for stitching designs for children. According to surveys, almost 75 percent of pre-adolescent children prefer purple to all other colours.  It also conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

White
White means safety, purity, faith, cleanliness and perfection. In advertising, white is associated with coolness and cleanliness because it’s the colour of snow. You can use white to suggest simplicity in cross stitched designs.

Black
Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. When designing cross stitch, you can use a black or grey background to make the other colours stand out. Black contrasts well with bright colours. This background gives the feeling of perspective and depth. However, combined with red or orange – other very powerful colours – black can produce a very aggressive colour scheme.

Next time you choose a colour design for a cross stitch project, you may decide to consider the colours and their impact on the human eye.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

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