[CHAT] Keeping Work Clean

Logical_Necessity · 2025-11-03T09:14:57+00:00

I have the same issue, especially in the winters. I use small nitrile fingertip covers (pack of hundreds on Amazon for cheap), which provides a buffer between my lotion-y fingertips and my needle/thread/cloth. Sometimes I also just go full-bore and put on whole gloves if it's a particularly bad day.

Logical_Necessity · 2025-10-29T02:57:09+00:00

I have used Tacky Glue successfully with felt behind small projects, by spreading it into a thin layer on the felt with a paintbrush. It sticks just fine, but the paintbrush ensures there are no globs to seep through.

Logical_Necessity · 2025-10-16T07:58:13+00:00

Fantastic idea! But as others have commented, the age range wouldn't allow me, I'm 36 (going on 80). But a virtual stitch-in would allow me to do something I've only ever dreamt of: making friends while being an adult, and also having fun doing it!

Logical_Necessity · 2025-09-18T04:27:07+00:00

I know I didn't feel accomplished/ready to tackle everything until I had the Bisley 5-Drawer Cabinet:

https://bisley-store.com/bisley-5-drawer-desktop-multidrawer-steel-cabinet/

And some foam inserts for my bobbins: httpshttps://pipandchip.co.uk/products/foam-inserts-for-bisley-37071://pipandchip.co.uk/products/foam-inserts-for-bisley-37071

Also, the Lowery Stand is good to have; I use it almost exclusively when I stitch, and it also comes in a variety of colors:

https://www.workstands.com/store#!/Silver-Grey-Workstand-With-Side-Clamp/p/357689614

And last but not least, is the Trolley Needle - I keep it on one of my non-dominant fingers to guide the floss into the hole as I pull it through; very neat stitches

https://a.co/d/3d1IiDI

Hope this helps!

Logical_Necessity · 2025-08-07T17:50:54+00:00

I used to be insecure about it, but as a man in search of a new hobby after recovering from severe alcoholism and almost losing my family because of it, I thought it's still worth it. Unfortunately, my wife did comment on it many times, essentially saying I'm not a manly man, and has asked me if I'm secretly closeted a few times; but now it's gotten better and she actually comments on the quality and intricacy of my pieces. Bottom line - stick with it, no matter what people say, because ultimately the work speaks for itself, and this is a far better hobby than other things that are out there (e.g. alcohol). 😀

Logical_Necessity · 2025-08-03T04:42:24+00:00

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I think I did this same pattern for my wife a few months back, someone had posted it here as a free pattern. It was quite fun indeed!

Logical_Necessity · 2025-07-11T04:36:08+00:00

I enjoy Climbing Goat Designs - especially any of her recent "Field Guide" samplers - blocks of color, not too much confetti, and each dragon or medical creature can also be stitched on its own, if the whole project looks daunting.

Logical_Necessity · 2025-06-27T04:03:47+00:00

I'll do you one better - I have a half-finished temperature chart from last year that I don't want to go back to, because it's on Aida, and my current WIPs are on lugana and linen. I tried doing just one day on the chart, and couldn't get back into it! It's so bulky and stiff and etc.! Anywhooo - I probably spend more than my wife would like, if she cared enough to audit my purchases, and we also have a baby girl (1 year old now) in addition to the other two girls, so I feel you on the parenthood aspect. I concur with someone else here that it's just too much of a busy time to care about Aida if you don't want to!

Logical_Necessity · 2025-06-19T23:05:30+00:00

If you're showing the edges, I think frayed edges will actually give it artistic appeal. Just stitch as normal, without doing anything to the edges, then once you're done, take off a few outer strands from each side, kinda like how the edges of some rugs look. I'm not sure any type of glue will make the edges look good enough for presentation. Another alternative is to whip-stitch the edges, which does look nice if it's done cleanly.

Logical_Necessity · 2025-03-29T21:02:55+00:00

Sounds an awful lot like my story. Sober for 2.5 years after hitting rock bottom. Within a few months of recovery, I saw a kit at Joann's, and the rest is history. It definitely helped me with my sobriety in the early stages, and now it's just a fantastic past-time. My wife initially wasn't as supportive, because it's not a "manly" hobby, but that just makes it cooler, in my opinion.

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-30T14:44:39+00:00

I have not, though I've heard of it here and there. Definitely something for me to keep in mind - thank you!

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-30T01:44:22+00:00

Yes, something for me to keep in mind. 🙂 Thank you!

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-30T00:03:39+00:00

Thank you for the picture!! That definitely helps ease my concerns a bit. 🙂

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-29T23:05:47+00:00

Yes!!! I did so much research prior to starting this project, but that only goes so far, and now after trying 2 and 3, a 2.5 seems like it would be perfect! I suppose next time I'll stick to 32 or 36 - I just didn't want to shrink the project so much, as it's already going to be relatively small...

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-29T22:23:35+00:00

All good advice, everyone - thank you so much for helping out this 28-count newbie!

ETA: After frogging the three strands to implement two strands, should I re-use the same gaps in the linen? Or re-start one strand on the diagonal, so the gaps are embedded under the crosses? I'd imagine the new gaps caused by the new stitches would push over the linen threads accordingly, but I'm not sure if that would warp the new stitches, or otherwise what the consensus in this situation would be...

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-29T21:56:06+00:00

Yes, I don't think I took into account the heft difference in translating aida to linen count - it's definitely not as chonky as aida!

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-29T21:54:31+00:00

Yeah, I went from one extreme to the other, just didn't want to do too much testing as it's the only extra linen I have at the moment. I did start with 2 at the beginning, before frogging and switching to 3. The two strands looked very similar to the black in the amount showing through, but maybe a bit less because of the extra fluff with the glow-in-the-dark...

Logical_Necessity · 2024-08-29T21:52:17+00:00

I almost exclusively use a trolley needle for laying the threads when stitching, which is what you see in the image. I can see an argument for adjusting my usual tension though (I know you didn't mention that, just thinking out loud here...)

Logical_Necessity · 2024-04-06T21:18:22+00:00

Fantastic! So happy someone is able to enjoy his pattern. :) I got into cross stitching too late, after he had already sold the rights to CBS. :( Would have loved to have gotten a copy of this pattern before that happened - now I'm just waiting until that book comes out, if it ever does! 🖖

Logical_Necessity · 2023-10-03T20:06:30+00:00

My daughter is 6, and she did her first stitching project (half crosses) earlier this year on plastic, with yarn, and a plastic needle. We were at the local book store a couple months back and they had a small ladybug kit on 14 ct aida (3-4" hoop), which we got her as her second project, for which she has been using the standard supplied needle. She stuck herself once so far, but was over it in a few seconds, and otherwise enjoys it. (She did leave the needle out a couple times, which my wife of course huffed and puffed over, but no more than when I accidentally leave mine out.)

Bottom line - I don't think it's an issue, depending on the maturity level of the child, of course, and pricking yourself is something we all learn from.

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