Starting new projects

I love starting new projects.

I hate starting new projects.

Starting a new project means I have finished the last one (usually) and am ready to move on to something else. It's a good thing. I love sorting the colours before I start, the feel of the threads as they run through my hand as I separate each colour from the others.

But I hate starting new projects because the centre of a counted cross stitch always seems to have about five different colours in the vicinity and each one only has a few stitches in that area. It makes it very hard to decide which colour to do, but the thing that bugs me the most is how to start and finish the thread for that section. Starting is ok if an even number of strands is used (ie. 2, 4, 6 - yes my current project uses 6 strands at once in some places), but when you have an odd number it can be very difficult if you aren't working in a straight line for several stitches.

Sweetheart's Gate is like this. Yet another Dimensions kit that I am doing. I love their pictures, but the stitching can be a challenge with their half crosses (easy to do, but you have to remember which way to stitch them), combined colours, and the use of different numbers of strands. In this one some colours need 1 strand, others 2, then some need 3, 4, 5 and 6. Six strands is a lot, even on 14 count aida cloth.

I'm not really complaining, because these pictures have so much depth, and really I think I have more Dimensions kits in my TBS (To Be Stitched) pile than any other brand.

But regardless of the company that the kit comes from, starting new projects can be a hassel.