Stitching in Hand + Tips for Quicker Stitching - Stitch-mas Day 4 

Okay ..... so other than I'm old enough to be your mother, we must be soul (stitching sisters)! I knot my thread, I stitch in hand with the sewing method and I have no problem skipping 3 or 4 squares to get to the next x! But I was afraid to tell anyone any of the above. Thank you for saying it all out loud & telling me it was okay to do it! (Spending the rest of the day stitching with a smile on my face!)

I’m so glad you gave us the ok to knot your thread because I have a lot of single stitches to do. 😅

When I stitched in the early 1990's I used a roll frame and never heard of stitching in hand. I came back to Cross Stitching, March 2020, with stitching in hand. I love this way of stitching and I love learning new tips. Thank you,

I do all like you except I followed Lori Holt doing the crosses in the opposite direction. I learned something I LOVE from a you-tuber and haven’t seen anybody else do it (for 2 over 2)…to be able to still use the loop method with variegated thread and maximize the variegation, I use 2 strands pulled from same piece of thread, same direction, and knot the end (cutting the extra off short) so it acts as the loop. It will never come out, doesn’t add bulk, and you can keep doing that if you have to tie off and move to new location. I’m so glad I found that! Thanks for this vid! I’ve been wondering how you stitch!

This was so encouraging. I have problems with hoops and frames. I decided to do what works for me and low and behold I found this video. It's All the things that work for me 😂😂😂😂😂😂. I'm so glad you posted this. I know it was a year ago but it was what I needed now!!!!

Ohhhhhhh my goodness! I have been trying to learn how to do the sewing method for over one year. I could never find a thorough video showing up close the individual stitches. I am very excited and started a new chart tonight. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this wonderful video. I will be sharing the heck out of it!!

My life has changed ! now that I’ve switched over to this sewing method , couldn’t figure out why my stitches just weren’t clean n straight n pretty no matter how slow or diligently I was stitching ,so sad & was loosing my stitchy Moe Joe! Until now I’m so excited my stitches are have become stuntinggg!!! thank you who knew that changing the hole method would be a complete game changer to my stitch maker lol thank you so much ! HAPPY stitching I’m obsessed!

This was SO helpful! I've always stitched in hand using the stabbing method (??), and am teaching myself the sewing method, and have been struggling a bit.... I realized while watching your method why I find it more awkward. I stitch in rows, all the half stitches first and then come back. You finish your X's fully and then move to the next, and in columns rather than rows! LIGHT BULB MOMENT! I'll be trying out your method asap!

Easier knot making, wrap end of floss around end of a finger and roll floss and pull, works every time 😊

Hi Liz, I recently started cross stitching again after stopping for many years to raise a family. I now stitch in hand and love it. I use 18 CT aida and use the loop start on the front!

Wow...that's awesome to just pull one strand!! I lick the ends too! 😋 What a great way to stitch! I am currently a stabber....gonna try your method cuz wow ....so much faster!! 💕

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I like that your primary word was “efficient” - I think that we can all learn from each other about new ways to be efficient. Efficiency allows us to move on to that new start! Your techniques might make me try to take the leap into linen 😬. Appreciate your RU-vids.

You have the best tutorials, Liz! I can only stitch on Aida and I have no problems at all! Thank you for all the awesome tutorials.

I LOVE THIS! I stitch in hand but have always gone left to right and struggle with fancy floss in doing it that way. I'm adopting your method :)

I stitch in hand, but my right hand ends up on the underside of the fabric way too often. I am going to try your method. I like how you think of the stitches in columns instead of always going across. Thanks for the tut!

I stitch in hand most of the time except for huge patterns. Thank you for giving me permission to make a small knot! lol.... I usually do the pin stitch with single threads but you are right about it coming out sometimes. Also, I noticed you ALWAYS start in the bottom left. I was always putting my first stich on the same angle but sometimes I started on the top right and sometimes the bottom left. I will try today to always start in the bottom left and see how I like that. It probably makes the stitches look more uniform. Thank you so much!! btw... I do the stitching in hand method with Aida and evenweave.

You are a wonderful teacher! Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks!

Excellent video. What a great way to pull your thread without taking it off the drop. Ive always took my floss off the drop to pull a thread. Great tip. I have found when I stitch in hand that my left hand cramps after an hour or so.. Thank you so much for sharing. You are precious. Happy stitching.

This was a great video - thanks so much Liz, I learn so much from your tutorials.

Thank you so much for this. You have explained it so well, and the camera shows it really clearly. I am excited to try it out!

Such a good teacher!! 👏👍🙂

Great tutorial! I think I can do it by watching you! I will have to change everything to do it. I’m right handed and have always used a hoop with the top left being my first cross! But I’m ready to try your approach. Thanks again! Best tutorial I’ve watched for stitching in hand! Thank you!♥️🤠

Thank you for your tips… everything you showed is so much faster for me:) I love the floss drop method for pulling a strand 😊

Thank you for this tutorial!! Lots of great tips!!

Thank you for showing us how you stitch in hand. I stitch on Aida and stitch in hand most of the time!

Thank you for all the information. I absolutely love to watch your videos. Usually I use the knot way, but this project that I am working on the knots have been coming out.

Thanks for the tutorial! Your videos are always so easy to understand and are filmed very well. I am going to try your method tomorrow when I am not so tired. I have been wanting to learn to stitch in hand for awhile and I think this will do the trick!

I've never stitched in hand, can't wait to try your method!:) It looks so efficient!

Bom dia ….desde Portugal Quando era pequenina( com 7 ou 8 anos) a minha avó dizias que era batoteira e desistiu de me ensinar a fazer ponto cruz Hoje com 67 anos comecei a aprender e..também faço sem bastidor mas tento não saltar de um lado para o outro ( era isso que a minha avó dizia que era errado) Este vídeo foi tão bom…tão relaxante para mim Obrigada🥰

Since you stitch right to left, you're sewing the Victorian cross where your threads at the back are horizontal rather than vertical (when stitching in straight rows/lines). Jean Farish discusses this in her earlier videos (Jean Farish Needleworks). I'm right handed but I stitch left to right, making the stitches at the back vertical. I also do the Victorian cross in some instances. Stay safe Liz ❤

Awesome video! I think I'll give this method a try on a Christmas small tomorrow! Thanks so much!

I’m just finding you on this year old video and I’m floored. I like and appreciate your technique and definitely learned a few things…and I’ve been stitching since I was a kid.

Thanks Liz for the tutorial for stitching in hand. I’m new to hand stitching on linen and your methods make sense to my brain.

Cannot thank you enough for this video! I'm brand new to stitchin on linen, etc. Embroidered all my life; I will go forward with confidence!

It's so interesting to see the many ways people stitch! Your finished projects always look beautiful!

Excellent stitching in hand video….thank you

This was very helpful and I will be trying your method on some linen that I’ve been wanting to use. Thank you for your tips and thoughts of traveling in a pattern. Having a plan of action before starting is a big part of being successful in counting too! Merry Christmas 🎄

You are a very good teacher. Thank you. You are doing what I have been needing someone to show what and how you think as you stitch.

Very nice video;I agree with Vivs stitch, Jean Farrish has good tutorials for stitching. ☺ A comment on the stiffness of Asia for hand stitching- I stitch on Adia for projects I work in where I won't have magnification, great light.ect. I let the Adia soak in warm water, that removes the starch, closed the holes some also😊 . Hope that helps someone

Thanks so much for showing us how to travel on the back. That is what I wanted to see for my project. I would like to see what the back looks like on other designers projects. You have done a very nice job!! Than you for sharing!

Elizabeth, I just have to say, you are so very talented at explaining things in your tutorials! You do such a nice job of taking time for all to see your work. You’re a natural at teaching! Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Also, I’m considering going ‘rogue’ and using knots myself!😉😂

Thanks so much. I was struggling with direction. This really helped 😃❤️

This was awesome! I do the same with my DMC in floss drops, but pulling one strand from the floss drop just has me.😳😲 amazed! Thank you! I need to try the sewing method again.

Thanks for the tutorial Liz. I stitch right handed but from left to right. I have to try your way. I will probably save so much time.

Liz, I never heard of starting on a vertical thread. Genius!!

Thank you love stitching in hand.

Your tutorial was really good! Most of how to’s give a straight line and maybe an outline square, but yours addressed how to follow a pattern and move around - the way you need to plan your path. I looked for something like this when starting back to x-stitch almost three years ago. I have almost always stitched in hand, turned my work doing long rows, and worked a combination of scooping and stabbing on the jump around parts. I will try envisioning columns to eliminate so much punch and stabbing and keep my hand on top.Thanks.

Thanks for this! Great tips.

Yes, we do it the same with the exception of up and down. Going upward I end my first stitch bottom right then go upward to the top right stitch to lower left, to upper left, to lower right....then repeat. Hand is always on top of stitching and I am going upward to what I was taught a clean or open stitch....both totally achieve the same stitch, is fast and the only difference is the back - it looks like going right to left with 2 lines of stitching..... Well I will say this, thank you for finding that making a quilter know to start. I have been doing the pin stitch and am totally going to try the knot. Thank you....I certainly do not plan or would have a piece in a show - this love I have for cross stitching is that I enjoy it, period. Bravo to those that go on to achieve Master stitcher and really pursue that for themselves, I think it is amazing. Personally, I am thrilled to complete a project & I always love it! Love

Great video!! I started as a sewing method stitcher and moved to using Q-Snaps because I just wasn’t that good at it and, because the fabric was all bunched up under my hand, I had a hard time getting the wrinkles out. Now that I’m a better stitcher and more comfortable with my stitching, I’m going to try this again. Thank you!

Great video. I love your tips and tricks. I've always had trouble stitching in hand because I am always repositioning and moving my stitching hand to the back. Now I have tips to prevent myself from doing that. I especially like working in columns from left to right.

Thank you very much. I also stitch in hand using the sewing method and I love it. I also use this method stitching on Aida and I have no problems. But I am going to try the knot method. Happy stitching!

Best Christmas gift EVER, Liz....thank you! I've admired your beautiful stitching from the start and love seeing how you make the magic happen. I will be giving all of your tips and tricks a try....knots included!

I have a tip for you! For long runs going to your right; flip your piece upside down. I can’t recall which Flosstuber I learned that from. But it works great. 🪡 Your video’s are always so helpful and fun. Thanks for sharing.

holy poop! So excited came across this video! & after I had inquired on your stitch direction sorry, I know how busy u must be without needing to reply to my inquiries lol anyhoo was super helpful to watch this I been stitching top n underneath taking foreverrrrr so I will try this method thanks to you!💕💕

I enjoyed your video. I had to chuckle when you used knots. I am definitely not a rule follower when I am doing crafts!

Hi Elizabeth I do the sewing method on Aida I have no problems I absolutely love it I can travel in any direction except left to right I go right to left and up and down. I mostly do the loop method but every once in a while I’ll put a knot in my thread but I put it in from the top of the fabric and then see over the back thread to secure it and then cut the knot off when they get close to it.. therefore no knots on the back of my fabric…

What a great video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

That was just a great instructional presentation. I love this method. Thank you, Elizabeth!

I am so glad I found you. This is the method I like but needed some tips and you nailed it for me. Thank you so much!!

I have been wanting to learn the sewing method because I too want to stitch all the things! I am so happy and excited to have watched your tutorial; I can't believe how much quicker I am stitching now while still enjoying the process! Thanks so much for an excellent turorial : )

This is so interesting to watch! I use the sewing method too, but I go left to right and tilt my fabric 90 degrees to the right, so I end up going down and up (if that makes any sense) so the back of my stitches are vertical. I rotate my fabric a lot when working this way and somehow it works for me :D Super fun video!

Thanks for this Liz. I stitch in hand with the sewing method (can't work with a hoop or frame), and don't have any trouble doing it on Aida, linen or evenweave. I don't knot, but I also don't necessarily make every stitch the same way - the tops all lie the same way but I may do the top part of the X either top right to bottom left or bottom left to top right (and either way for the bottom one too). I haven't had any trouble with this way and I think it makes it easier when you're doing stitches more randomly than just straight rows.

Thanks so much for showing how you stitch in hand using the sewing method. I have pretty much been a top left or top center starter and found it very awkward to stitch using the sewing method. But thanks to your tutorial, I have tried starting my stitching in the bottom right and am enjoying stitching using the sewing method and the thread loop start. It makes such a difference so THANK YOU!

Thank you that way very helpful, I'm new to stitching in hand and I love it.

I am so grateful for your tutorial it is knowledgeable and encouraging I really appreciate your skills and humour you are definitely delightful thank you x

Great tutorial! Thank you so much. Really appreciated section on moving around and how you’d stitch from the chart❤️

Thanks! I use the quilters knot for everything but crossstitch! It would definitely speed up the process. Even though I pride myself on not being a rule follower, I guess I am. I’ll definitely try it. I don’t think it will be much bulkier, if at all, from weaving under threads. I may try 2 or 3 wraps on higher count linen to see if it still works. Thanks Liz for getting my mind out of its box of rules. Sandy

Loved this tutorial...your a natural teacher ❤

I stitch in hand on smaller projects. I like your method of finishing the stitch before moving to the next as to where I stitch half of the stitch move down the column then back up. Which sometimes the stitches dont look so pretty. Then the 🐸ing starts. Tonight I plan on giving your method a whirl. Thank you 🧵🧵🧵

Thank you for this video. I love stitching in hand. Not that i have done many projects but have a lot of charts🙄 I have stitched Aida in hand. First was from a big box store. Then Zwiegart and huge difference. And if dyed even better. I do like linen too

Hi Liz I have always stitched in hand, using the sewing method. I have no problem using the sewing method on Aida. Only if I need to put in a stitch in a very confetti heavy area I might have problems, but usually no problems 🙂 I'm lefthanded and prefer to start in the upper left corner, no matter how big the project is. So far I haven't experienced having too little fabric 🙂 Horizontal I stitch ////// and \\\\\\ on the way back. Vertically I stitch / and then \, so I finish one stitch at a time. I don't mind travelling with my thread. If I go further than 3-4 stitches, I tuck it under a thread every 4th stitch or so. I also travel with darker colours on full coverage pieces. What I like most about stitching in hand, apart from the speed 😁, is that I can stitch almost everywhere as long as the light is okay.

Elizabeth Thank for this tutorial...so I get it now. Just learning the sew I. Hand method basically because its getting to hard for me to hold a q snap but I just couldn't figure out when I stitched across from right to left how to go back with the next line of stitches but working in columns resolves that issue. Am I right you never stitch left to right...its just impossible unless you turn your fabric upside down...lol...I was trying to figure that out. Now I got it th?banks to you. Such a wonderful tutorial and thanks for your time!

This was a super helpful video! I am a new stitcher and just recently stitched on 28 count lugana instead of Aida. I am hooked! I am working on a 32 count linen project now. Learning to stitch in hand is my next goal. I have watched others do it, but your way makes more sense to my brain. Grateful for you!!! Merry Christmas!!🎄

Thanks so much..... this helps me a lot.

Thanks so much very helpful to me.

This was so helpful Liz. Thank you. I’ve tried stitching in hand but find managing the fabric on a large project is a bit frustrating for me, so I use Q-snaps for those. You have definitely simplified things for me 😊

this was a great video and really helped me, thank you! Your thought process on this was exactly what I was looking for!

Interesting to watch your techniques. I’m self taught and have always worked stretched fabric. I like how you explain the direction methods for in hand to be “efficient.”

Thanks for sharing this! I just grabbed a scrap of aida and tried out this method. It works great!

I stitch in hand using the sewing method. I'm right handed, and I usually go left to right. However, I can go in any direction to get to stitches, but I primarily go left to right!

Ooo so maybe this is key to finally getting this method down!! As I've previously used a stand and a Q-snap, but been longing to be able to sit in the sofa with my dog next to me to stitch this autumn. And also speed up a little.. yikes christmas is "quite" soon for some projects. (Granted, for speed, a qsnap or frame / hoop in the stand (allowing two-handed stitching) makes for a speedimprovement already, but it's not so "cozy") Nornally I've stitched patterns as I read - start top left.. work to the right, then next row. But to start at the right end and work left makes so much sense with this, holding the fabric with my left. Oh my! I can feel it clicking soon I hope! :D Thank you for more input on this method!!

I love watching stitching videos when stitching myself so this was a nice listen, even though I don't exactly adhere to any many of the so called stitching rules myself, lol. Don't bother with horizontal or vertical threads on linen, don't really bother with stitching directions, I'll stitch whatever direction the pattern seems to require, mostly to save thread... but as a left handed stitcher I am most comfortable stitching from left to right and upwards rather than downwards. I do stitch in hand but I don't use the sowing method, I just stab my way through a pattern, lol. I've tried it but it just didn't suit me. I love watching other stitchers do it though. Thanks for the video!

Definitely going to try some stitching in hand on my next high count piece - I always stitch in rows so will have to retrain my brain to think in columns!

Love this! I stitch the same as you except I do use pin stitch to start :) I find your method the fastest way to stitch all the things - ditching hoop and frames is the best decision I ever made!!

Getting spoiled with so many Liz vids! I don't know if I can go back to just having 1 vid on Sundays lol

Thank you that was very helpful.

Thank you so much for this great lesson, I learned a lot, I've only stitched on aida and 28 count even weave. I'm hoping to venture into linen asap. Have a great day.

I have only used Aida and do the sewing method. Since you said you find it much easier on linen I deff want to try it now.

I enjoyed seeing your technique! I also stitch in hand most of the time and I consider how I stitch to be a sewing method but it is different from yours. Isn't that the fun part! I'm going to give your method a try and see what I incorporate into my method. Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with all of us.

Many helpful ideas

This is a very good tutorial, easy to follow your instructions.

Seems as though I am in good company! I have a similar approach ... my take away from this is about visualizing the pattern and going right to left and in columns. I go like wind right to left then slow down going left to right AND get ridges. I do get in lay flat by a bit of gentle pulling .... Although I am relatively new to this obsession (hobby to some), I am just loving the learning that goes along with it. Problem now is staying focused on my day job😀 Thanks!

I was taught to start top left, make right slant to the right then go right to left to cross the x. The method you just demonstrated looks easier and faster. My next start will definitely be in the bottom right corner. Thank you. I've probably been stitching longer than you've been alive but I'm constantly learning something new.

7/2023 As watching your May video and you mentioned this sew in video. It was really informative to me. Done lots of embroidery not any cross stitch but thinking of starting so this was very helpful. Thanks. Have been enjoying your recent floss tubes.

This video was what I was expecting of floss tube 😂 not the haul. But we all love to enable others. I was taught with hoop 40 years ago but this year began stitching in hand and on non Aida. Old dogs 🐕 learn new tricks.

Thanks so much for this awesome podcast…your way of going by columns and right to left seems easy because a decision has already been made before you start…great stitching Liz🛷☃️🥁🎄❤️

Very well instructed. I will show it to my granddaughter when she is ready to switch to 28 count linen or evenweave. Thanks so much.

An easy way to get the kinks out of your thread is to run it across a damp sponge (not wet). Makes it easier to stitch and less tangles. I keep a damp sponge in a Rubbermaid like salad dressing container. It doesn't add anything to your thread such as wax and the thread doesn't get wet. Just make sure your sponge is not soaking wet. If worried that the thread is too wet, let it sit for a minute. It drys quickly. Do a couple of strands ahead of stitching. Jean Farish uses this method and talks about it on her Flosstube. Thanks for the tutorial. Your work is amazing.

Elizabeth, your tutorial was helpful to me. I like your plan of working in columns when possible. Jean Farish suggests running the strand of colorfast thread over a damp sponge before you start stitching with it. Hold the thread on the sponge with your finger and pull it through. That does help to straighten out the original curves so you aren't fighting them, and I rarely have knots. The slightly damp thread is fine to stitch with immediately and dries very quickly. I find stitching in hand very pleasurable and so convenient.