Cross-stitch resources for a beginner

[JHolcomb]

My best friend is studying Arabic and Islam in Morocco this semester. I want to make her something cool for her apartment when she gets back to the states, and am looking at doing this cross-stitch:http://www.islamicstitches.com/prod01.htm.

I'm pretty darn good at embroidery (ok, I still can't get the backstitch going, but otherwise...), but have only done a tiny bit of cross-stitch, once, when I was about 15. Anyone know of a good book for beginning cross-stitchers? I do have The Good Housekeeping Needlework Book, but I'd like something slightly more in-depth.

Does this look do-able (by January) for someone with no cross-stitch (but other needlework) experience. I think it does, especially since it's both counted and on 14 pt Aida. What's the opinion of our more experienced cross-stichers?

[eas11]

Yup, you should have an easy time with it. There are not very many colors to change and it's a pretty open design as well.

I think it is a beautiful design, and will be a wonderful gift. Take a picture and post it when you complete it!

Ellyn

[Luiza]

This is a cool pattern :)

I wouldn't think you'll need a book to do this. It looks like the kit comes with its own instructions, and in my experience the instructions will tell you all you need to know. Also take a look here: http://crossstitch.about.com/cs/beginners/ . There are a lot of links for beginning stitchers which cover the basics.

As for how long this will take... Well, it's on light-coloured material, a fairly large count, and a simple design with large blocks of single colours. From what I can tell, it just asks for cross-stich with some backstitiching for the letters. So I'd say it is doable by January, but you will not be doing much else in terms of hobbies. Cross-stitching takes a surprising amount of time. I started with needlepoint then switched to cross-stitch, and it seemed to me like the necessary work quadrupled. Then again, maybe I'm just a slow stitcher...

[Luiza]

I've searched a little bit and found these sites where people report their progress with pictures of their cross-stitch and hours worked. This should give you an idea how long things would take. These are experienced stitchers -- I've been doing cross-stitch for a couple of years now and I'm not quite that fast yet. Sigh.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=2364033&uid=1246267
http://home.att.net/~bkellya/crossstitch.htm (look at the WIPs (Works in Progress))

[sharris315]

If you've done embroidery with some success, this will be easy. The borders will be tedious, but none of it looks in the least difficult. I agree with the others, you won't need a book--and yes, it's definitely doable by Jan. Luiza's site should be all you need.

One tip--be sure you don't "carry" your thread from one area to another on the under side so it shows through the fabric on the top. Weave it through the other stitches instead. That's a common newbie mistake :)

This will be beautiful and your friend will be thrilled. Post it when you finish.

Shar

[RobinC]

I think it looks like a very nice pattern, and I don't think it looks to difficult.

My best advice for beginner cross stitcher is: (Oh, this is also based off all my mistakes. ;) )

*Make sure that all your X's cross in the same direction - the second "crossing-stitch" always goes either top left corner to bottom right corner - or top right corner to bottom left corner

*Don't tie knots. Weave both the start and ends of your thread under some existing threads.

*Count, and re-count. I finally figured out that it's called counted cross stitch for a reason. ;)

*Have fun!!

Here is a design I just finished. I am on the search for anything with hydrangas. I have a whole wall in my house decorated with various hydranga art. Sorry the picture is so small, I couldn't find a bigger one.

http://www.joann.com/images/catalog/C/A/C/788/p_CAC788-d.jpg

[hlao23]

I agree with the others. It looks very doable.

I'm jealous. I'm working on an arabic calligraphy cross stitch. I couldn't find any patterns tho' so I sent a picture in to a place that makes cross stitch patters. The pattern turned out to be very complicated in terms of the amount of different colours used (over 50 different colours for 1 8x10 project !!!) so I've ended up basically designing it myself. Very tedious!

[JHolcomb]

:D

Thanks, y'all! I'm looking forward to getting this ordered so I can get started.
Luiza, those links are great. I don't think I'll have a problem with it now!
Robin, great tips. I tie when I do utilitarian embroidery because I want to make sure that nothing comes undone (like w/a tea towel that will be washed all the time), but a very good point about not tying on something like this.


And naturally, I have several other projects going, but they should be pretty easy, finish-in-a-day things.

Thanks again!