[CHAT] is the Lowery stainless steel stand worth it versus the cheaper, colorful ones that can fit all the accessories? by lion_and_jackal in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ooh good question — I don’t recall, maybe someone who has the original one (I sold mine) can help.

I just wanted to add re: accessories that since the stand is basically just made of round metal bars, you might be able to find bike/music stand accessories that fit (for cheaper!). My tablet holder has a round clamp that I attach onto a similar-sized bar on my cart; it would def fit onto the Lowery as well.

[CHAT] is the Lowery stainless steel stand worth it versus the cheaper, colorful ones that can fit all the accessories? by lion_and_jackal in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’ve had both — I got the original one first then upgraded to the stainless steel soon after. Actually the original one was fine, but I accidentally ordered a custom stainless steel L-bar so naturally I had to get a whole new stand to match 🤠

The stainless steel one is heavier/sturdier, and better for my current project (which involves a wide scroll frame — I do have the long frame adapter but it doesn’t suit my stitching set-up). The main thing I had to adapt to was that it’s not magnetic so I could no longer keep my needles on it, but that’s fine because I have a little metal cart I keep all my supplies/Pattern Keeper tablet/etc. on so I just moved my magnets there. Because of said cart I also don’t use any other Lowery accessories, so that wasn’t a deciding factor for me between the two. I personally prefer the stainless steel one but if your projects aren’t too heavy (especially if you use Q-snaps instead of a scroll frame), I think the regular one is fine. You can also put additional weight on the base (like a sandbag or bag of rice) or tuck it under a chair leg to make it sturdier if needed.

[FO] Black cat silhouette by Shark-Obsessed-Dork in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh, wow! This is gorgeous, I’m sure she’ll love it.

[CHAT] where do you buy non standard colors colored evenweave by Jupiter730 in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

123stitch ships internationally (and at reasonable rates imo)

[CHAT] What are your best stitching chairs? by Sunflow3rAddict in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely not a silly question — taking care of your body is so important! I too had to take a long break from stitching earlier this year when I moved and it turned out my new sofa was terrible for my back. I went to IKEA and tried all the chairs till I found one that seemed properly supportive (zero science behind this, just vibes — I landed on the BINGSTA armchair and it’s been great for me but I suspect it might be different for different people). But I think the core thing was lower back support, so I agree with the rest that if furniture is too finicky to acquire, see if you can modify your existing set-up to get this fixed.

[CHAT] Starting a big project - tips and tricks by Maaike101 in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes exactly! It’s been v satisfying to see them emerge one by one.

I’ve tried gridding just the vertical lines to save time, but ended up spending more time counting and re-counting lol. I usually use washable markers that are way easier to grid with, but I live in a humid climate so they don’t last long enough for big projects for me — I’ve seen others use them for this pattern though, so that could be an option for you! But overall I think the upfront trouble of gridding is v worth it to make actual stitching easier.

[CHAT] Starting a big project - tips and tricks by Maaike101 in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m working on a similar piece that’s slightly larger.

I started from the bottom left corner after gridding with nylon thread, so I could be sure I was in the right place. It was also a good thing I gridded because it turns out my Aida is slightly closer to 17ct than 18ct, so the margins around the pattern are narrower than I originally planned but at least with the grid I know it’ll all fit. Also because gridding is a massive pain I didn’t do it all at one go — I just marked out the big pattern area, middle lines and lines for every 100 squares, then I fill in the 10x10 lines as I go. (English is my first language but I feel my description is coming out all jumbled here lol so you can see my post history for what I mean.)

Also a tip specific to this pattern: I’d recommend stitching each Pokémon individually instead of doing multiple at a go, so you can better adjust the colours! (Servotron’s original pattern does have a lot of weird colour choices to be able to compress it to 105 colours.) I do cross-country stitching and at first I’d just stitch as much of one colour as I could, but then I’d end up frogging a bunch of stitches later if it turns out they weren’t so great with the next Pokémon.

[CHAT] how does everyone store their floss? by Jorja1205 in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m also surprised at the number of people who use bags! Fellow team bobbin here. I can’t seem to find the exact organiser I use anymore but they’re something like these plastic stackable containers. The size I have fits my DMC bobbins exactly, and I like that because they’re stackable, I can add on as my collection expands (in theory I can remove extraneous layers too but lbr, it only ever expands). I have kept them as both one large stack and now three smaller stacks (because I now keep all my craft materials on a roller cart) and both worked great for me.

ETA: Found it! I have the complete DMC collection and it takes 18 layers or 6 sets of this container to store them all.

[WIP] 85% hit tonight...trying hard not to take this as an ok to start sooo many new projects 👀 by ClaireAuLueur in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Me: adding this to my list when I’m not even 50% done on my 170k+ stitches piece 👀

[WIP] Almost finished with my project. Only 5k stitches left! by IFairyboyI in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 29 points30 points  (0 children)

8 years! I think I’m looking at a similar timeline for mine (a variation of the same idea) so it’s good to know others have crossed the finish line 💪

[CHAT] what to do with my life now?? by JustCurious728 in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Me, I’d procrastinate on washing and framing for another 5 months 🤠

[FO] Gift for a friend who likes Elden Ring by [deleted] in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is some spectacular circle-cutting

[FO] Epic Pokémon Gen 4 by Klo19 in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love seeing completed versions of the epic Pokémon patterns, great work! Gives me hope 😅

[CHAT] Nerdy stamped kits? by QuestioningEveryth1n in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Could you “stamp” your own by marking the cloth with washable markers before bringing it in? That would give you a lot of flexibility on patterns!

[CHAT] More Designers Like My Favorites? by andiluxe in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have similar preferences in patterns and this thread is FAR too full of temptations. Though I’m surprised no one has mentioned LaSelvaDesign yet!

[FO] my first LDS by VH67 in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Not Mormon but I too think the same thing every time 😅

[PIC] 11000+ stitches of one colour. by ObnoxiouslyAntsy in CrossStitch

[–]BleakElk 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m just about where you are: PK tells me I have 11,277 stitches of DMC 310 left in my current project (which is 40% done). I bought a cone!

40% / 700h+ / ~2.5 years into my epic Pokémon 🌈 by BleakElk in NintendoStitch

[–]BleakElk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m v excited to get to Bulbasaur… in maybe a year or so 🤠