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Puma Knitted Hat (Blueberry)
Puma hat kit. Contents: 2 x 50g balls of Whisper yarn by Patons; 1 x 50g ball of diploma Gold yarn by Patons; instructions. 4mm knitting pins needed but NOT supplied. RRP £8.99 - save £5.00.
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Poncho - Coast
Contents: Pattern for the short and long poncho with the Tudor Rose (pink) shade as shown; Yarn for long version - 2 balls of 50g Washed Haze yarn; Knitting pins and Crochet hook - 6.0mm - needed but not supplied.
EXTRA: Coast yarn (1 extra ball) plus two extra pattern books with more projects.
Normal Price over £21.00.
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Bamboo Fan Kit
Oriental Geisha fan - in cross stitch by Design Works. Counted cross stitch kit on 13" x 22" 14 count white aida fabric - complete with bamboo cane. Normal Price £24.99.
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Cross stitch embroideryAbout Cross StitchThis is the most popular of all needlecrafts - and is a form of embroidery using six-stranded embroidery thread sewn onto a fabric - usually a block-weave aida or evenweave or even linen, if applying "counted" cross stitch (see note later).Counted cross stitchThe block weave aida is the easiest to get used to for beginners as the "holes" in the fabric are arranged is a square - or block - so that stitching across each corner produces a "cross" or "cross stitch".With COUNTED cross stitch, you have the stitches and stitch colours, printed onto a piece of graph paper to match the picture or design your are working on. Quite simply, by following the instructions and the graph, you "count" how many cross stitches are shown on the graph, of a certain colour, then use that colour thread to complete the required number of stitches. For instance: If the graph shows that you need a row of 10 cross stitches in a colour red, you load your needle with red thread, then count and sew 10 cross stitches in a row on your fabric. Then when the graph shows another section of stitches in another colour, you load your needle with that colour, count how many stitches you need to complete in that colour, and sew accordingly. TIP: Buy a pack of needles so that you can pre-load them with the most popular colours. Then, after sewing a few stitches, you can break off and keep the loaded needle handy for the next time you need it. This obviates the need to thread a new needle each and every time you change colour. |
Cross Stitch KitsAbout Cross Stitch KitsCross stitch kits are usually COUNTED cross stitch kits - although you may come across "No Count" or "Stamped" cross stitch kits.The latter take the counting out of the process, because the design is printed in outline - or in pre-printed crosses - onto the fabric. You merely have to sew over the stitches or inside the outline shapes. Instructions tell you which colour to use. It's like "paint-by-numbers" - but using sewing thread instead of paint, and a needle instead of a brush. Of the many people who start with stamped, or no-count, cross stitch, many go on to COUNTED cross stitch as they gain extra satisfaction from the additional challeng, and counted cross stitch allows you to introduce some variations of your own, as optional. About Counted Cross Stitch KitsThese usually contain everything apart from an embroidery hoop - available separately in most craft shops for a pound or two. The hoop holds the section of fabric you want to sew.Kits (usually) contain: * a front sheet to show in colour what the finished cross stitch design or picture will look like * a chart - graph paper with the design printed on it in stitches - with symbols to show which colour thread to use. Each graph paper square represents a stitch. * plain material - usually aida. The most popular used is "14 count" (14hpi) - which means 14 blocks - or holes - per inch. This means you sew 14 cross stitches per inch of fabric. * embroidery thread (or floss - American). This is a special thread made up of SIX STRANDS. Normally you separate each thread length into THREE STRANDS - which you then thread into your needle and start to sew. NOTE: Some instructions may tell you to use two - or even one - strand, for fine detail. Caution: Do not use all six strands if you are told to use only three, as you will run out of thread! * Instructions. These are usually printed with the chart (graph) and provide diagrams of stitches, fine detail if necessary, special requirements, and a list of symbols for each colour - with a checklist so that you can match symbols to thread colour (BEFORE starting to stitch), and the amount of thread that should be in the kit. * Needle * Thread organiser (sometimes) Framing and FinishingThe finished cross stitch may become slightly soiled with repeat handling. It cannot be helped. You may need to wash it - but heed the instruction on the correct way to do this. Strong colours very often "run" at first - but this can be overcome.Mounting Before framing, the stitched fabric needs to be mounted onto stiff board. Your picture framer will supply this or, if you are doing it yourself, there is self adhesive craft board you can buy separately. Use of a border, or the type of frame, is a personal thing - but framing under glass will keep the finished cross stitch clean. Displaying You may wish to keep the picture out of direct sunlight to avoid fading. Quality Cross Stitch - Kits and Materials Most kits contain quality materials and are prepared and presented with ease of use very much a paramount consideration. They can work our expensive - which is why a visit to our cross stitch section is essential if you are looking for top quality AND the best prices anywhere. |
