FlossTube Episode 27 - Why we stitch what we stitch, and a "scary" new start (February 21, 2024) 

Beautiful video Karen, with the best of instructions...best wishes ❤❤

Thank you for your tip-I, too, order parts then forget what they are for 😂. Everything look wonderful.

Karen, I just found your channel too! So, like you, I picked cross-stitch back up in the last two years after not having done any since the 80s! I've learned more tips on your Floss Tubes than I have in all of the other Floss Tubes combined! Thank you! I watched 3 of yours today (while I was doing laundry, cleaning house, etc.) and I wanted to answer one of your questions -- tho I'm not sure from which Floss Tube you asked. But I choose my projects based on gifts. I do cross-stitches for friends and I try to match them to their taste or interests. Beyond that, I'm strictly decor. I have to say tho that Im disappointed that so much of charts that are introduced are similar. My fav that I ever did was a botanical print Lily. I wish there were more of that type out there. In the meantime, I'm doing what's available! Right now: Tiny Modernist The Nutcracker Tree. Again, a gift.. Anyway I love your channel!

You explain things very nicely..thank you

Karen, your tip about turning the needle around when threading has saved me a lot of aggravation. Thank you! Like you, there are many reasons I choose to stitch on a particular pattern - the designer, the colors on the chart, the subject matter - I stitch a lot of holiday smalls for my triangle table and three tier shelf in my foyer and sometimes connections. I will be stitching on My Funny Valentine soon since it is the first song my husband learned on the piano after his retirement.And Prairie Schooler's The Village Green looks a lot like a small Pennsylvania area that is close to where we live.

Karen I just found your channel! I will be 76 in August. That being said I stitch what I want to stitch based upon what "speaks to me". I am working on "Shores of Hawk Run Hollow". I have that as my large piece and vary my time on smaller pieces. What a WONDERFUL tip about doing the squares with a full square every tenth stitch! I am working on the second block. What I have done to this point is marking along the border with regular sewing thread and making a loop to the side every tenth stitch. This is not a piece that I would want to make a mistake with those borders. Thank you so much! It will make this so much easier. I bought graph paper and plan to incorporate the initials of my husbands parents, my parents, and my son who passed away this past December.

What a fantastic flosstube! I will also be starting Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. Nancy, the Disorderly Stitcher on flosstube is hosting a stitchalong beginning Feb 29. I start what I like, and Nancy gave me the perfect "reason" to begin this large project. I am an 100% Aida stitcher and really appreciate your discussion on Aida-friendly charts. I also use the R&R floss winder and recycle all of my unused threads back into my stash for future use.

Starting Shores of Hawk Run Hollow on Leap Day as a SAL with The Disorderly Stitcher. My chart and fabric is arriving today! Many times what I stitch is the connection. I just finished Spring Has Sprung and when I was little my Grandma would say that verse. I stitched What A Friend We Have In Jesus because that was one of my mom’s favorite hymns. Then there are several others. Doing Shores of Hawk Run because I love the east coast.

Love your new start Happy stitching

Loved watching , listening and learning from you! I just found your floss tube and learned so much! I choose my stitching most often as gifts. I rarely make the time to stitch for me but have a few projects I want to do for my home soon. I’m stretching myself and trying linen rather than Aida on my personal projects.

Hi , I’m a Karen too. You had a lot of good info on Aida stitching. I’m new at counted cross stitch. Looking forward to watching more of you

Love all your helpful hints 😊

Thanks for such an informative flosstube episode! I learned so many new things!

I don't keep records, don't use a planner or Book of Days, but I seem to have an unwritten list in my head about what gets started, "who's up next." I have a lot of fully kitted projects, big and small, I never let new releases pass by without buying and kitting what I love. But I always intuitively seem to know how long I've had them, and will start the older ones before the newer ones. They all get their turn eventually.

I have watched your videos before but am a new subscriber. I really enjoyed your discussions today and the fact that you "dig in" lol. It's nice to get into the details. For me, it can be many sources of inspiration to why I start a project. Like you, I enjoy finding that connection with a piece. It can be the color palette, something that brings back a memory or a suggestion from a favorite Flosstuber. After stitching so many years I have favorite designers from bygone times that I enjoy going back to stitch too. It's like visiting an old friend lol.

More & more it's process for me, but I need to love the piece. Interspersed with my primitives, I've been enjoying sampler motifs like flower bouquets where I get to use my silk collection, and typically make my own conversions. I'm currently stitching Susanna Eccles and will be starting a modified Jane Hearth. I love your videos!!!

I’m so excited to see you starting Charlotte ❤ and the GH 1857 💙 I’m joining in both those stitch a longs too 😂 love all the details you go into for each video 😊

Great flosstube! I just found you and thoroughly enjoyed stitching and listening. You had great tips ( loved the one legged border count!) and you have really tempted me to try a HAtS sampler ❤. To answer your question I pick my stitches by how it makes me feel. Stitching for me should be happy stuff.

I do projects because a lot of the time it’s a gift. Sometimes it’s the colors in the piece. February 29th I’m starting my first SAL with Carolyn Zook. We’re starting The Hummingbird Garden from Just Cross Stitch

Such a good question Karen. I think my project driver is somewhat seasonal, but also, can I see it in my home? If it is really clear to me where it will go and what it will add to our home, I usually can't hardly wait to get it put together and start. I scour the second hand shops for old frames too. So sometimes I even have a finishing method before it gets started! Oh what fun this is and how you all inspire me!

Thank you so much for the very informative video! I’m a 14-count Aida stitcher and I now know more than I did before! Really appreciate you. 😁

Oh, I just found your Floss Tube and I am so glad I did. First I want to say that I was heavily into Crosstitch before during and a little after Covid. Of course during lockdown that’s all I did for days on end. Well, about six months ago, I got tired of it and put it away and Started doing a lot of English paper piecing and punch needle. Well, I’ve been missing Crosstitch and so I’ve decided to add that to the other two things I’m doing so that I can have something different to do each day. I just rotate one day, punch, needle, one day, EPP, one day Crosstitch. I was really excited when you started talking about Aida, because I am strictly an Aida stitcher and always have been. I mostly stitch on 16 count. I could do 18 count but I usually find that the things on Stitching are a little bit too small so I stick with 16 count. Anyway, I am now a subscriber and looking forward to more videos.

Another great and informative video Karen! It's your neighbor over here in Murfreesboro. Sounds like I'll be seeing you again at 2 upcoming retreats this year. I thought about why I start a specific project...it's all the reasons you gave, plus when I need to de-stress I picked up a red sampler. One color its soothing and calming to me.

Thanks. Great video. Loved the Q & A.

Oh, Karen! I have long admired Ann Tong Uffindel and seeing yours is an inspiration - I can see why you can't put it down!! Thank you for the pleasure of another flosstube from you!

For my bigger projects, I selected pieces I HAVE to do. Then I can add smaller items during or in between projects 😊

Wonderful video, as always. It warms my ❤ to know you have the acorn and needle book close by as you stitch. Since coming back to cross stitch just last year, I find myself drawn to certain designers who I seem to share a similar design aesthetic with. That said, I choose what I’m stitching based on a feeling. I love fonts/lettering so I did a marking sampler. I have a couple of Bristol-esque ones waiting in the wings. Right now I’m doing a pattern with birds that is more like Berlin-work-it’s beautiful and also I haven’t done anything like it before. I love the sense of discovery with each project, as well. I have found that I’m all about the process! I know floss drops are all the rage but I keep my DMC’s on bobbins and overdyed floss on their original tags. It helps me differentiate the brands. As well, I organize the overdyeds by brand, then color, rather than name. We all have to find what works best. Thanks so much for another informative video!

I stitch charts that I feel a connection to and that bring me joy

Sometimes I stitch what I have an urgency on. Let me share, two years ago I didn’t know what I didn’t know I was finishing one a month stitching monogamously. Then I purchased several or so charts that I didn’t realize just how really big they were. Stitching monogamously on Hoity Toity was brutal! Finally it got put aside and I started other charts, Blue Rhapsody,yep another big one then I grabbed some smaller ones….. this year I joined WIPCO. It has helped me sooo much, January 2 new starts ( which I finish in January and one other finish also in January. I also made great progress on Bewitched Swamp. February has put on my Lowry stand 12 days on Blue Rhapsody, finishing the alphabet, and then 12 Days on Hoity Toity, I am now at the half way point. I was glad to set it aside. I guess it’s that particular linen that doesn’t warm my heart. Today I am eagerly starting Lori Holts Home Town Neighborhood Tea House. I just kind of slipped that one in as it wasn’t on my WIPCO board. I alway allowed a few days to “play”. I have many I can’t wait to start and finish this year’s and I will fit them in, in a constructive manner because of my WIPCO board. My larger stitches come up frequently throughout the year. I hope to finish Hoity Toity this year (my husband laughs. I have left the last number on the finishing day blank, we shall see. I also want to finish Bewitched Swamp by Owl Forest this year and get her hanging on our wall to enjoy. Thank you so very much for sharing your time with us. I enjoyed having lunch with you today.

Karen, I am a Night Owl, but doing a fabulous video at 10 PM..WOW! I love the Uffindel sisters but have yet to start a HATS Sampler. I will get there eventually... but as I'm finishing up one piece and know that something new is coming up, I look through all my kitted projects and when one screams "Pick Me!" I jump right in! I loved the egg basket sitting atop your DMC Thread Box! In my younger days, I made many baskets and gave them to family, but kept only a couple. I wish I had more but at this point with arthritic hands, holding a needle is much less painful and still brings me the joy of creative arts. Thanks for spending time with us and see you next time! xoxo

Love listening to your videos Karen. I continue to learn. Sometimes just the smallest, most obvious thing like a full cross every ten stitches when ‘one legging’ my way round a border! Thank you too for reminding me of plenty of other things I had also forgotten. Now as to how I choose which project to start next …. I follow my heart and pick up that chart that is singing loudest to me. Maybe it is the flowers, the colour, the memories it evokes, or just something different I want to try be it technique, a particular linen or thread. Having said that as I am currently stitching away from home and bought a limited selection with me, all hidden in a project bag, I keep surprising myself and my daughter by just starting the first one that gets pulled out of the bag. Each time my heart just says ‘Oh yessss, I really want to do that one’! There is something to be said for only seeing the one pattern. Thank you for all you contribute to this wonderful community and the happy hours I spend stitching with you.

Excellent flosstube. Your Q&A segment was terrific. I’ve been stitching since the 80’s. New stitchers now have so much more to learn than back then when fabric choices were white or cream, Aida was the mainstream fabric and DMC was king. No overdyes or variegated choices. Design and color are the two things that attract me to a potential project. I like samplers, historical designs and charts about home. I don’t do charts about holidays, except Christmas. The designers I’ve stitched the most lately have been Jean Farish and Judy Whitman. I’ll see you at Hobby House in October. I have purchased 2 HATS samplers but have not started them. I think my leap day start will be one of the designs Nicola sent us for homework. Happy Stitching!

Thank you for sharing all the tips and tricks ❤ I love stitching things that make me feel happy and reminds me of memories growing up. My family roots are southern and I love my memories ❤

What a great and informative flosstube video! I'm also working on Ann Tong Uffindell. I have the border in but still need to add the all the flowers and the upper left corner completed. What a joy working with the silks...my first time using them.

Your video, Karen, was so full of information and tips. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to share this! I enjoyed seeing all your projects and progresses. Happy Stitching❣️

Enjoyed your video. Thank you for offering suggestions on where to find items and how you use them. That helps so much! Could I get a link for your brown floss tags, please? You’re a good and patient teacher!

I’m not sure how I choose a project - just whichever one is yelling the loudest, I think. 😊 I’m working on His Eye Is On The Sparrow now, and my goal was one motif a day and then work on other things, but I’m having a hard time putting it down. I’m really enjoying the linen it’s on. I think linen choice has a lot to do with how much I love working on a project and on which ones I’m likely to pick up and work on.

Well, Karen, my RU-vid algorithm finally decided to add you to my FlossTube mix. And I am so glad it did. Wonderful video. Informative and useful. BTW, I decide on a pattern because of colors, because of the geometry, because of symmetry and because of the overall artistic value (in my eyes). While I am sure flosses "fancier" than DMC are wonderful, I haven't branched out to them. Like you, I have a full set of all DMC colors. I purchase new skeins when I kit up a project. My full set is the reserve. Whatever I have left from a project I put back into its FlossAway bag in my full set stash. Now, I must admit, I have LOTS of B5200 white, but, well, I'm not worried. I usually order a pattern and fabric and floss in one order from an online vendor (I do have local LNS available, but my mobility makes online shopping the best option) so that when it arrives I know it all belongs together and I don't have to sort out floss project by project. I pay a little more in shipping, but with this vendor having low shipping costs, it works for me. Keep up the good work and I am SO HAPPY to have found you. :) Anne

Hi Karen, just found your channel. I choose my stitches based on what I love, I look for dogs, Bears nature centered projects. Also I take into consideration if my kids would like it or would end up tossed in goodwill. I’m not really a sampler stitcher, just a few have caught my eye.

Love your videos! I have found that the new DMC bobbin stickers fall off. I have some that are really old and they stick well. I always use a Sharpie to write the number on the plastic bobbin.

I Stitch personal to me. The project will be genealogy related- (Mayflower) or (Military), or part of my decor or to commemorate an event, birth, vacation, anniversary etc. Happy Stitches! Stitch what you love!

Oh thank you Karen. Meanwhile-many happy stitches to you.

Thanks Karen as always enjoyed your video.❤

My decisions are based on what calls me the most joined with how much do I already have going and how big are they. Your full cross every ten stitches is genius. And it was me who asked about Ann Tong Uffindell and I’m buying the rest of my silks this week at Keepsakes. I’m debating between the color “linen” and “sand dollar” that I bought at Colorado Cross Stitch at Christmas unless I can find some Lakeside that makes my heart sing or maybe some Sleeping Bear like yours. WOW that’s pretty! I’m glad you are having such fun with it! I’ve been debating the Charlotte Warrington too but think I’m going to at least buy it and then see how long I can keep my hands off it! Sound familiar? 😂

My tips for beginning stitchers are never leave you needle "parked" somewhere in your cloth and never leave your stitching in the hoop. Okay, if you just had to pause to pick up the phone to chat with someone, you're quite likely safe. But anything more than a few hours and either of these items will leave marks. Needles will make holes that are hard to remove; hoops will leave ridges in your fabric and work which can be hard if not impossible to remove. Hoops left in too long will also warp your stitches from which they may not recover. (Karen, don't know if you've covered this topic in another video. New subscriber so I've not seen all you've created.) Q-Snap users should release the tension on their cloth. Some people just twist the snaps so the fabric is loose. (Not user, not a fan.) People using scroll frames will release the tension on their work at the end of every day/session. Needle nannies come in all kinds of designs and prices. They are well worth it. Vicki Clayton silks....mmmm. Can't say enough nice things about her products. It is incredibly lovely to work with. I choose to stitch what I stitch usually because I've fallen in love with the colors. Sometimes I'll come across a design where I totally loathe the color choices and have no compunction in changing out the colors palette to suit what I like. Karen, could you address the benefits and methods of one stitch at a time? I've never gotten suitable stitch formation with this method. It's fine when it's just one like when they're sprinkled around. But to do an entire block such as for a chimney or a house is when my one stitch at a time is quite faulty.

Wonderful flosstube..I learned so much…you are a wonderful teacher..also your work is so beautiful….I hope some day to be half as good as you with my stitching…I am the girl you recommended trying 25 count lugana to try to eventually try linen…I finished a small house which was actually a quilt shop..I enjoyed it so next I will try 28 count lugana..hopefully I will get there..happy stitching !

Isn’t it hard to say what makes us start a new stitch! It’s often spur of the moment, but I’m hooked on 17th century with lots of different stitches at the moment.

Thank you for another fabulous video! I love seeing your stitching!!💖✨💫💝

Another great flosstube, Karen! So, how do I decide what to stitch…usually, it’s because I am drawn to it but, I’m finding back to back BAPs are too much. I’m a monogamous stitcher, for the most part so, BAPs can be tough when you want finishes to come quickly. But, you have me really considering Ann Tong Uffindell!! Perhaps this is where I start her and do a small as well. Yours is beautiful and love that Sleeping Bear linen!

Hi, Karen. I just wanted to tell you how very much I enjoy your videos. Your calm, down-to-earth spirit, and the lovely way you have of sharing your knowledge and your beautiful projects is such a gift! I always learn something from you, and I really appreciate all your hard work and sharing all this goodness with us. Thank you! ☺️ Meline

First time watcher/subscriber and a new cross stitcher. I have crafted, quilted and sewn for years but have loved watching the flosstube community! Thank you for taking time to answer simple questions for us newbies. Your personality if very sweet and encouraging and obviously you have a wealth of information. I am trying to decide what to try first. Any thoughts on a designer for new stitchers?

Love your flosstube videos. I always learn something and love looking at your projects. Thanks

Hi Karen! I’m new here, and subscribed of course! Fruit Tree, are you going to start it? I’m loving it! I also just started GH as my leap year start. See you next video!

Karen!! I so enjoyed seeing all the possible projects and what you are stitching now! Especially appreciate the instruction and information such as theAida vs linen etc, and eye of the needle may need to rotate in order to thread!! You provide the lovely eye candy projects and inspiration! Enjoy all you can and thank you again!!

Karen- I love your videos. I always learn something and come away inspired. Your method of outlining a box or frame by using 1/2 stitch is brilliant. Going back and completing the X after things match is great. Then to top it off with the every 10th stitch to make the X for keeping count was genius. THANK YOU. My selections to stitch are based totally on my ‘feelings’ with the occasional gift or holiday piece. Happy stitching.

I'm a first time watcher and I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your tips and the answers to previous questions. It was very informative .

A fabulous floss tube! Tons of information without a lot of cross stitch terms I don’t know yet. Thank you! ❤

What a treasure trove of great information and tips! I need to go back and watch your other videos. 😊 Thank you!

Thank Karen for another informative floss tube 🤩 You are one of my favorites 🥰

Just joined your channel…really enjoyed this video…

Karen, the basket sitting on top of your DMC floss box is gorgeous! Lucky you!!!

Hi Karen, Just want to thank you for a very educational flosstube. You explain things so simply and clear. I store all my floss (mostly DMC) in floss bags and I use an index card in the bag to help hold its shape. The floss color and/or number is written on this card as well as the front of the bag. I then put the floss on bobbins and all extra skeins of this floss is added to the bag. When I add the last skein to a bobbin I then write the number/color on my list so it can be restocked. Any leftover thread when done stitching is added to its color bag. The floss bags are stored by number or kind on floss rings in storage boxes. When I kit a project the floss bag is taken from the numbered group ring and added to a project ring. This is the only way I can keep my floss protected from being a knotted mess. Thanks again for your stitching lesson.

Thanks so much for the information regarding the needle eye and difficulty with threading at times. Brilliant!

Thank you for another wonderful and informative flosstube.

"James and the Giant Peach!" I am so glad to hear that someone else has the same thought that I have whenever I see that! I don't have any plans to stitch that, but it is beautiful. This is the first time I have found you and this was certainly a pleasure to watch. Thank you for all of the wonderful information. I am an aida stitcher but a linen stitcher "wanna be!" I'm trying to move to lugana and am finding it difficult. I've watched countless videos on this and they all show the same thing - how to count from one stitch to the next - only side by side. Do you have any tips on how to count when stitches are farther apart? I always seem to be one or two off. Any help would be appreciated! Have a happy, stitchy week!

Thank you for another wonderful video! Your stitching and choice of patterns is right up my alley! I love all the tips and useful information as well. Take care! ❤

Thank you for such an informative flosstube. I enjoyed hearing your answers to questions people asked. Like you, I choose projects for many reasons, but mostly because the design speaks to me about myself or others. Your work on Anne is beautiful; so glad you worked up the courage to start her!

Fabulous video! Fingers crossed that you join us for #gh1857samplersal. Cannot wait to see the Vikki Clayton silks! I just love how we come together to stitch the same pattern, but all of our pieces look different based on our choices. Happy stitching! 🧵🪡

Hello Karen, and thank you so much for your videos. I learned a lot from it. Greetings from Germany

I’m a newer subscriber and just wanted to say how much I enjoy your flosstubes. I’ve gone back and watched some older ones too. Xx

Karen, you are such a wonderful teacher! Your calm pace and easy manner make listening and learning a wonderful experience. I loved the questions you answered. So often a question will be something I’ve wondered, and it is so nice to hear that someone else has wondered it too! Your answers are complete and you never make us feel silly for asking. You are undertaking a lot! I am a very slow stitcher, and if I see a pattern that catches my eye, I try to wait and see how I feel about it down the road. A time or two I’ve ordered quickly and when it comes time to stitch the item, I’m not so enchanted but feel obliged because I’ve purchased it. The several pieces I’m currently working on have been in the works for some time, but I still like them! Economy keeps me from buying a lot of fabric and patterns, but I love to see flosstubers purchase and share their pieces. I enjoy them vicariously! Carol in Texas

Enjoyed your video so much especially the answers to questions and the help you gave. Many thanks and hope you managed to sleep.🎉

Karen, what a fantastic video! Always full of good info! For thread organization I use a combo of floss drops & bags similar to floss away bags but I’m too tight to buy the brand name. When working with DMC or fancy floss I keep them on a floss drop. For storage I keep them in a ziploc type bag with the Mfgr and name or number of the floss marked on the outside using a label maker. They are sorted by mfgr and in either numerical or alphabetical order on rings, but I think I may need to move to a fridge bin or drawer system. Having them in the bag allows me storage space for duplicate skeins and “scraps”. I don’t have the fancy DMC drawers, but if I did I think I would use that for a master set. Just thought I’d share that. I am curious how you keep things organized when you work with 103’s? I am getting ready to make my first attempt using them…any tips in general? Thanks!!

Your videos are always interesting. In response to the why I choose a stitching project, my answer is most of the reasons you mentioned except doing a SAL. I enjoy getting together with friends to stitch on individual projects. Life keeps that from happening in recent years. I like designing my own projects and/or going at my own pace rather than progressing with a group in large part because I prefer to focus on one major project at a time. I may work up a few smalls as inspiration strikes though.I am curious about the desire to have multiple large WIPs going at any one time. Doesn't that prolong the accomplishment and dilute the good feelings/memories obtained from the process and product we all enjoy?

I always love to find you on Flosstube. This video did not disappoint! Your stitching and projects are exquisite. The Disorderly Stitcher is having a stitch along with The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. I will be starting it soon. Stitching HRH is so much fun! Your two starts are the best!

In response to your question, what I choose to stitch covers a lot of territory. One of my more recent starts had to do with color. I was ready to move on from Christmas/Winter and move to Spring colors. You mentioned a “connection.” I inadvertently ended up with a “connection” piece when I started stitching a little project from inspiration I got from the 911 Stitcher. She had done a beautiful monochromatic sampler in red, so I wanted to do a red project as well. It turns out that I ended up stitching one to honor my sainted parents. It brought me so much joy to think of them, and the monochromatic reason became secondary. Sometimes I do start-alongs, and sometimes I even finish them! Thanks for keeping me company this evening! ❤ See you next time!

Hello! Thank you for another great flosstube! I like your flosstube because I always learn something and you don't waste time telling the numbers of stitching, percentage of work done and all those boring things... you don't change the colors very often and you always choose beautiful design. I will adopt your ideas for stitching the boxes, use half stitch and every ten do a full cross stitch. I think it's really useful. I think that I have Remember Me by Teresa Kogut that has a straight border that I have to tackle. About your question: for me the first thing when I choose a pattern is the design: I like quirk and weird sampler, mostly reproductions. I usually don't choose symmetrical design where you have to stitch two times the same motifs. I think they are lovely to have on my wall, but that are tedious to stitch. Second: i like big reproduction sampler, because they are complex, full of different motifs. Third: the colors. I prefer warm earhy colors, with dark greens, reds or burgundy, browns, ochras, dark blue. This is because I like folk style and that is why I do two over two. I like to see the colors! I don't really get the cold colors, and one over two on small counts. I am not drawn to teal, grey, or light greens. I like to have one muted design in my wips (I have Christmas Garden and I didn't change the colors), because I like the effect of muted colors on fabric. Sometime I found that some reproductions samplers have a selection of colors that are too bright and light, even if the designs are wonderful, so I might change some of the colors with darker ones. I can choose a design because of the origins: for example I would like to stitch Madame Tougat by Coleur Tourtourelle, because I like the history of it, as it was stitched by 17 gilrs in a french school, or I stitched the Squirrel Bristol Sampler because I liked the design, but also in honor of the kids that were in the Bristol Orphanage. I can choose a design because it speaks about a book that I love, like the Owl Forest Embroidery Treasure Island Sal... I think that there are many reasons to choose one pattern, but mostly is the design or the colors. I have one question for you, maybe, if you like, can address this your flosstubes: I want to know why do you stich on 40ct, because I have never used 40ct. I have 36ct and I like it, but it's not so easy to use for me as 30 or 32ct. I have to pay much more attention to counting. I know I can adapt to 40ct and I use a magnifier, so I don't think it will be so difficult, if not the first time. I like to know why you (and so many others stitchers) prefer to use higher counts. Thanks again & Happy Stitching!

Hi Karen! This was my first time watching your floss tube and I really enjoyed seeing your projects and listening to you! I had not stitched for a few years and now I’m playing catch up. I have soooo many things that I had kitted in the past and still love, and now have acquired new things as the industry has changed quite a bit. I’m choosing projects to work on for a lot of the reasons you talked about - a SAL, wanted to stitch it for a long time, saw something new, looked fun, etc. Thank you for sharing! Take care!

The onward sampler...should the word be downward? It just caught my eye. What do you do, besides framing, with your gorgeous projects?

Thank you so much for the great content!! I learned so much. 😊

I love love loved your video! Thank u for the tip on stitching around the borders doing one leg and full cross every 10 th stitch!! I’m definitely going to try it. I have discovered a love for samplers and this will be so helpful. I am now going to go look at the Uffindel pattern. lol. Thank you for a wonderful flosstube! I just subscribed so I can’t wait till the next ones. I’ll be going back to view your previous posts too 😊

Thank you for your video you have inspired me to start Ann Tong Unfindale. I am so glad you decided to stitch the shores. I stitched that in memory of my dad i put his name in the blue block. It makes me so happy when I look at it and when I was stitching it. I do have a question what fabric and count did you start yours on?

Karen-I’d like to ask you a question if I may. You place your Vicky Clayton silks in the bobbin case - when you pull a bobbin out and cut a length of silk and use 1 strand… how do you deal with the remaining strand until it’s needed again? Thank you so much. K.C.

Hi Karen, your videos are always so informative. Thank you for them. This is probably a very novice question, but how do you get the Vickie Clayton thread packs -and how do you order them? I'm also interested in flower threads. Where do I get them? Thank you again for your helpful videos.

Nice to find your channel! I'm fairly new to stitching. Learned a lot just from watching this one video. I'll go back and watch your other videos. Where do I find a stitching stand? Do you use it on a table or your lap? Thank you!

Thanks for another great time together! I learn something every time. I noticed you changed the color of the sun in one of your stitches. Do you do that often? It's that based on your fabric? Your whim? Preferences? I am stitching a designer right now who prefers warm colors and I prefer cool colors, so am trying to be brave and change colors! Anyway, I was just curious. Thank you!

Great flosstube, thank you Karen! What is in the little cabinet behind you right shoulder (to the left of the door as we look at your recording). I’ve been trying to figure it out since I started watching you…. 😵‍💫🤣🥰 x

Just found you today, it was lovely listening to you (I'm at work but wish I was stitching!) I really want one of those wooden things, I have been just pulling out the whole floss, fold it in half 3 times and cutting it, but to have a more uniform longer floss might be so nice! I want to start my own floss tube, but I don't know where to start, what program do you use to edit? (If you do edit!) Happy stitching!

I purchased the stickers to label the bobbins but mine wouldn't stick so I use a fine tipped permanent marker to write the number on the bobbin. I've never used silk threads before, do you believe it is it worth the extra expense for silks and if so, what is your favorite brand/type? Thank you. Vanessa

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when stitching on 20 adia how many threads over how many threads

Can you do speciality stitches on evenweave?

Would 100% LOVE for you to join the #gh1857sampler! I hope you will! I can't wait to see your progress on Ann U.!

It's very easy to go back to watch,so I don't find a need to have you go slow❤❤❤❤

Have had Ann Tong forever. Time to start? Ummmm

Hi Karen, Love your videos and all you share. You have so much good experience to teach others. Ann Tong Uffindel is looking fabulous! I have it kitted but like you feel I have too many big pieces begun to start at this time. I did find the GH1857 at Kitten Stitcher recently. I am tempted to start a small from the book in June with you. The house or the vase. How do I decide what to start? Mostly I stitch in season and rotate my projects. I start something new when one is finished. I am closing in on 3 finishes soon. So a new start is a reward. I love all the SALs and do join in but I work full time still and run a sideline business along with caring for and 87 yr old Dad and 16 mo granddaughter. Family comes first always. Thank you again. I look forward to meeting you at Hobby House in October. Hugs, Teresa