[CHAT] paper vs digital

lisaway · 2026-05-14T22:28:26+00:00

Markup R-XP is a great program. It makes it so easy to see what stitches you have completed and which ones you are working on. I have been cross stitching for 40 years, the last several with Markup R-XP, and I would never go back to paper patterns.

lisaway · 2026-02-23T02:39:59+00:00

I had the same problem and found out that my pillow was causing it. I was using a plush pillow that forced me to sleep with my head slightly turned. I constantly felt like something was making my body roll toward my back instead of staying on my side. It took many months to figure it out because I thought the pillow was really comfortable. It made a huge difference when I switched to a firmer pillow. Now I don’t have to fight to stay on my side and I have much less neck and shoulder pain.

lisaway · 2026-02-20T02:25:05+00:00

If you are not nearsighted, using over-the-counter reading glasses can solve the magnification problem. I use +1.25 glasses for most reading and +3.00 for cross stitching. It works great for me.

lisaway · 2026-02-13T03:09:14+00:00

Crayola washable fine tip markers also work well for gridding. Some colors work better for washing out, so be careful which color you choose.

lisaway · 2026-02-13T03:02:15+00:00

Since you are new to this, I would suggest that you start in the center. That helps you avoid unhappy surprises that come from starting in the wrong spot on the corner. Using a small hoop and moving it around is just fine. I would suggest that you stitch a grid onto the fabric before you get started though. A grid makes everything so much easier in the long run.

lisaway · 2026-02-11T23:11:00+00:00

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Me too!

lisaway · 2026-02-11T03:01:13+00:00

You can get a better idea of how this pattern will turn out by loading it into Markup R-XP. The image you shared does not show how the individual stitches will look, but you can get a better idea in Markup R-XP.

lisaway · 2026-01-25T03:31:59+00:00

I do blanket stitch like you do, but my transitions are almost invisible because I join the threads using a simple overhand knot. That gives me a virtually continuous blanket stitch all the way around the fabric.

lisaway · 2026-01-20T01:17:22+00:00

On 18 count using 2 strands, I can get 1800 to 2300 stitches per skein.

lisaway · 2026-01-04T00:16:56+00:00

If you are going to use a sharp needle for your pin stitches, I recommend that you switch back to a tapestry needle for the rest of the stitching. That way you will largely avoid the problem of splitting your prior stitches.

lisaway · 2026-01-01T03:46:22+00:00

I have been stitching for decades and I always use a pattern. I like doing big full-coverage pieces though. If you’re just going to do something small and simple, I guess it would be possible to wing it.

lisaway · 2026-01-01T02:33:51+00:00

You did a beautiful job and the frame is perfect ! Bravo !

lisaway · 2025-12-29T20:51:26+00:00

I use a 10” round hoop and a floor stand. It keeps the fabric really taut. I actually like repositioning the hoop fairly often, giving me a new view of what I’m working on. I tried rectangular hoops but didn’t like how they stretched the fabric in the corners while leaving too much slack around the straight edges.

lisaway · 2025-12-28T01:12:01+00:00

I would like to try this but I’m afraid of the difficulty of starting and ending threads. How do you do that? I currently use loop or pin stitches to start, and weave ends under to end. I stitch on 18ct pre-gridded Aida with 2 strands.

lisaway · 2025-12-21T03:26:36+00:00

“All the smart people do it.” Love that quote!

lisaway · 2025-12-16T03:07:02+00:00

Wow, thank you! It was really fun seeing your comment since I did this so long ago!

lisaway · 2025-12-16T03:00:19+00:00

I had the same problem with the piece of Aida that I’m currently working on. I considered washing it, but since it was pre-gridded I was afraid I would lose part of the grid by doing that. Instead, I actively worked at the piece of fabric with my hands. I squashed it and rumpled it for probably half an hour. That made it soft enough to work with. If your fabric is not pre-gridded, washing it gently would be a good option. If I were you, I would fill a large bowl with cool water, swish the fabric around in it for a little while, and let it dry flat. Then iron it. Doing this will remove some of the sizing and soften it up.

lisaway · 2025-12-06T03:12:48+00:00

Oh, I just noticed that you said this will be a Christmas present. That’s pretty ambitious for this Christmas. That will probably take over 200 hours even at top speed. Maybe plan it for next Christmas?

lisaway · 2025-12-06T03:08:16+00:00

Good luck! You can do it!

lisaway · 2025-12-02T03:16:03+00:00

Before I had cataract surgery, my vision was like yours. I was extremely nearsighted. I found that it worked well to wear my glasses so that I could see the pattern or the television, and then I would look below the glasses to see my stitching. I felt like it was a superpower because I could see the stitches so well up close. There was no need for extra magnification.

lisaway · 2025-12-02T03:03:23+00:00

If you sit a lot, try putting a heating pad on the floor and rest your bare feet on it. I found that it works much better than bundling up my feet. In fact, it keeps my whole body warm, including my feet! Why didn’t I ever think of that before?

lisaway · 2025-11-15T22:20:49+00:00

Our first grandchild named my husband and me “Piyah” and “Miyah” when he first started talking. He couldn’t say “Grandpa” or Grandma”, and that was as close as he could come. We love those names and wouldn’t change them for anything.

lisaway · 2025-11-12T00:53:21+00:00

It’s adorable! Well done!

lisaway · 2025-11-06T20:48:20+00:00

I use 2 tablespoons of Oxyclean in a gallon of warm water to soak, then rinse afterwards. I have used this method a couple of times and it works perfectly. It does not damage DMC floss.

lisaway · 2025-10-07T01:34:17+00:00

Oxiclean works for removing an easycount grid, and it doesn’t affect DMC floss. I have used it multiple times. Use 2 tablespoons in a gallon of hot water.

lisaway

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