Unpopular Cross Stitch Opinions! 

One thing I've learned from stitching off and in for 40+ years. Do what you want, what brings you comfort and is fun. It's YOUR journey. If you want to learn different ways to stitch. Or ways that make the finished product look better...go for it. If not, don't judge yourself. 90% of those that I know stitch for stress relief. Bonus, you have something cute, fun or meaningful when you are done. I recently switched from aida over to evenweave and then linen. I adore linen and won't ever go back to aida.

I am so glad you made this video. I am new to Cross stitching and was going to give up because my cross stitch doesn’t look great on the front or back but you have given me the encouragement I needed to keep trying. I appreciate your taking the time to make the video and sharing it. Beginner’s need to know that it’s okay not to be perfect!

I've been cross stitching for 30+ years and I'm 1) a monogamous stitcher 2) pro hoop, especially now that I have some hand issues. I found hoops at Michael's that has a rubber ring that keeps the fabric taut and in place 3) I love Aida because I can see it, again the age factor coming in to play 4) French knots, YAY Backstitching, meh. This was a great video!

I just happened to watch your video and it was FUN! I have been stitching for 40 years and I think I have gone through every fad. Hoop- most of the time Linen or Aida- both Railroading- never ever Multiple projects- one big one and some smalls in between It's supposed to be relaxing and restorative, more self-care than following rules. Thank you for your thoughts!

Great video. Takes the pressure off of a beginner cross stitcher if they feel their projects are not perfect

I tried railroading once. It was a simple nativity outline piece done on midnight blue aida with gold and metallic gold floss. Railroading it took absolutely forever, but it was so so worth it. It really ups the piece from a craft to a work of art. That said, I wouldn't railroad a regular piece. It just takes too long, and I think the relatively low number of stitches on the nativity is what made the uniformity of the stitches pop so much.

What a great, worthwhile video for both newbies and oldies! Your focus on the enjoyment of the process of stitching itself is something everyone needs to hear. I have been stitching for decades and do get bogged down in perfection, but as you pointed out, that’s stressful not fun. I am also overwhelmed in WIPs; one is from the ‘80s! Thanks for giving me permission to give up the guilt and walk away from projects like that.

Railroading! I started stitching in like 1982. I took a long hiatus in the 2000's where I was knitting and crocheting. Until this year I had never heard of it and I LOVE it!! The way I stitch I must turn the thread and it often starts to twist. Railroading makes the stitches lay nice and flat. I'm so used to it now it doesn't take any extra time but I do stitch pretty slowly.

Really enjoyed this style of video. I’m still trying to learn about cross stitching and many floss tube videos are mostly about people showing their projects and not many where i feel i can actually learn about different styles and techniques that people have gained through experience

I've always stitched on Adia. I know it's on the stiffer side but to me linen looks so much better. My eyes won't allow me to stitch on anything less than a 16...maybe 18 with a magnifying glass. I don't care for backstitching but it makes the stitching stand out more. I use a hoop unless it's a very small project and then I don't. I love my Morgan hoop. It will hold so tightly it's a mazing. Great video!!!

What a free feeling it must be to not care about a messy back. I wish I could not care but I was taught when I first started stitching to have as neat of a back as possible and I'm too old to give myself permission otherwise. I'll only carry at most 3 stitches if it can't be avoided any other way.

Great discussion, thanks for the positive comments of specialty stitches! You know I love them!😍😍

Backstitching & french knots are the bestest. They're the details, in _so_ many projects, that bring it all to life! We've worked so hard, for so long & now we finally get to _see_ everything POP! I only cross stitch so that I get to backstitch that means we're in the home stretch & we're almost finished that 3 year project. 😂😂

Great video! Could certainly use some of that "perseverance" energy cuz man. Frames and stands are bloody expensive - yet stitching in hand? I'm a wreck everytime

Only have one hand to stitch with because of stroke. LOVE hoops. Especially Morgan brand. Adapting methods to continue stitching.

I’m so glad you made a video like this. I see so many people who are so scared to even change the called for colors on charts they are working on. I drove my aunt crazy because I knot the end of my threads. So was always like “knots aren’t allowed in cross stitching” I know that to be true but I have this fear of them coming undone. I’ve been stitching for almost 35 years now and I still tie knot as and I haven’t been put in cross stitch jail yet. 😂

So liked what you shared. These are stitching topics that I have thought of. I have to say, I resonate with how you feel. Your opinion. Thanks for discussing such! ✨

What a fun video! I agree with most of your opinions. I think a lot varies depending on the piece. For example, I don't do full coverage and I like to stitch on lighter fabrics, so I don't carry my threads all that often, but I don't obsess over my backs like some stitchers do. As for my unpopular opinions, I don't like stitching with a frame or stitching with two hands. I don't have anything against it. It's just not what I'm used to and I have been stitching for 30+ years. I also love to bombinate my DMCs. I just find it so relaxing. I don't use floss drops mostly because of the storage issues. I use bags for my overdyeds and silks.

Interesting discussion - my unpopular opinion - I dislike floss drops intensely - the tangles, the fraying. I use the little ziploc type floss away bags, which have their own issues. And I use scroll rods or q snaps to get a 'drum tight' fabric.

what a great video, thank you so much, i am a lazy stitcher and put each floss skein in its own small resealable baggie and sort them in clear shoe boxes

I am a full-coverage stitcher only and as for me I mainly stitch patterns of famous or unique paintings. I do it for two main reasons. 1-having something on my wall that I really love and is museum quality but wouldn't have the money to actually purchase ans 2-I really enjoy the process!!!

Thanks for the video. You just got yourself a new subscriber. I was surprised how much I actually don't know about cross stitching given the many years and dozens of projects I have stitched! I had never heard of bobbins, or railroading and had absolutely no idea you could stitch in hand or use a sewing method. I am definitely going to have to try out stitching in hand. I usually use q-snap frames ... never having liked hoops at all. I actually like the backstitching if its appropriate to the picture ... it can provide some wonderful detail to a picture. I created a lovely picture of iron man and it was great with just the cross stitching but it was over the top amazing once I finished all the backstitching.

It is a good thing to get more educated about one's cross-stitch hobbie. I appreciate ur video. U made the learning & reminding pleasant. I do what makes me happy in my cross-stitching & i take good care of my supplies. I have other hobbies like u, crocheting, knitting, latch hook, even puzzles & adult coloring. Just depends what my hands & mind/emotions are up to. It is good to have choices 🙂

The unpopular thing I do: I do a personalized mix between parking and cross country xD I do park my threads and generally also follow the blocks of my pattern either in lines or columns, but I don't always park in the next square but in a way that makes sense. For example I am doing a pattern with butterflies right now and if the butterfly I am working on has a colour that goes confetti-ish over multiple blocks (not necessarily a huge distance away though), I oftentimes - not always - stitch all of the confetti stitches that go in that butterfly with that particular colour. I don't like to use a seperate needle for every parked thread so my mixture saves me a LOT of time by not always threading and unthreading my needle :D parking rigidly after every 10x10 block just slows me down. I usually do it when I have bigger chunks of a colour, just to not get confused, but as soon as it makes sense, I go cross country parking xD as far away as I dare to count on ungridded linen (wich is not very far 😂)

Yes, you could just print the photo. On the other hand, that goes for any embroidery. You could just print out the pattern and hang the print on your wall. I think anyone who does embroidery would understand that printing out the pattern and hanging it on the wall isn't what we embroider for.

Absolutely obsessed with full coverage paintings, I usually do one at a time as well. And usually do them in 22 ct.. And I'm a weirdo, I don't like stitching in hand. Stitching for 25 yrs now

I am from Norway and that`s maybe why I always stitch in hand. I was though that in school for over 40 years ago, and already at that time we used floss drops. So no hoops or bobbins for me 🧵🪡😀

Loved this video and was mesmerized just watching you stitch. I learned to stitch in hand and still do occasionally but also use qsnaps and frames. Look forward to your next video. Cheers

Very informative and entertaining video. I am just getting back into cross stitching, did just a bit years ago. I am trying to learn proper methods for starting and stopping, so my work is neater. I haven’t tried railroading, but hope to give it a try on my next project to see if it really makes a difference. It might test my patience if it slows me up too much. I currently am using a hoop, but think I will try stitching in hand so I can use the sewing method. Thanks again for a great video.😊

Great video! I enjoyed your commentary and validation. Thank you 💝

Would you be interested in doing tutorial on stitching in hand. You make it look so easy. Great video!

Excellent video! Good discussion on so many topics let me play on peoples minds. And you have the coolest hairstyle!!!!!!!

I enjoyed this video!! I don’t agree with everything; I agree with lots of things! I might do a stitch with me and discuss these points! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing this. I learned some terms that I didn't know.

I add backstitching to designs that don't have it. Absolutely critical in creating definition and distinguishing the foreground from the background. The key to knots is using both hands to make...easier to make them in a hoop on a frame.

Great video!!! I am a true believer in railroading. I always railroad the top leg of my X. I normally stitch with one strand on a higher count fabric which I like the best.

That was fun I like listening to you talk

I'm so addicated to cross stitching, and so i watched this while doing it, Amzing, u got yourself a new sub!!❤

Thank you, I wish I could get my backs to look good, I forgive myself if it doesn't. I don't mind hoops on looser fabrics, I stitch both ways. Linen is lovely, nicer than Aida in some applications. I love French knots, I think they are sweet, back stitching in my opinion makes the front look better, it uses a lot of thread but the final effect is worth it. Thanks for a great video, I look forward to your other video's. Also, I love the name you gave your channel. I love reading, I can get lost in a book.

I also prefer freehand, but for the opposite reasons. You talked about how it's nice for the linen to be loose and floppy. I use Aida, and it's already so stiff that a hoop seems pointless and more difficult.

i love her little chin dimple its so adorable

Enjoyed this video. For the most part I like to stitch in hand. I have found that sometimes it depends on the fabric - some linen is too loose for me and stitching in hand is work re: consistent stitches so then I'll use a Q-snap. I have purchased several sets of scroll rods BUT have not been able to figure out to use any of them - duh - and realize stitching in hand is what I prefer. I do railroad intermittently - am I crazy or do you find that depending on the color of the floss some colors seem to lay flat easier than others particularly lighter colors..... Soooo sometimes railroading is the only way I can get the stitch to look remotely flat. When first discovering Floss Tube I went crazzzzzy over purchasing patterns, fabric & floss. I have a multitude of WIPs and am trying to finish up what I started during the pandemic but I'm still purchasing a few patterns, etc. Guess it's my drug of choice!! Hehehehehe! Kathy

Great! I am a beginner with cross stich and I fine this very interesting. I love the way you work. I am only at the hoop stage at the moment. Struggling a little but i will get there. Thank you x

A year after your video, but the if the back can't be neat because of so many colors and stitches in a small area or confetti, just iron on the lightest weight stabilizer on the back after the project is completed, this means washing & pressing, before stabilizer. It's a big help to the framer and if you use the project in a pillow or quilt or as a wall hanging. I like to put patchwork around the piece as a border, then do it as a wall hanging without the expense of framing. There are so many borders to piece, modern ones, vintage style, geometric, or just a fabric that echoes the cross stitch design. I plan to make a red & white quilt with red surface embroidery blocks.

I’m one small piece in and I can already tell that I don’t like hoops. Being able to hold it in my hands helps me so much😂

I love this video. I am so glad I found this. I totally agree with all she is saying. What works for 1 does not work for others. Do what makes you happy.

I am new to embroidery and am wanting to embroider on a satin fabric and I have found people complaining about how the hoops mark the fabric. I am definitely going to practice before I get to my real piece. Thank you for the video.

I stitch using a hoop or frame on a stand as being of a certain older age holding fabric or the hoops makes my fingers and hands ache. And I like to stitch 2 handed.

Hoop hoop hoop hoop hoop!! Working in the hand, especially with evenweave linen, will shrink the space between threads and alter the stitch count dimensions. I have done the same pattern once in the hand and once in a hoop, and the hoop is even, the fabric doesn't bulge between the motifs, and it matches the size estimate based on stitch count and threadcount. If you're going to frame a piece, you'll notice the difference. Hoops have the added benefit of not rubbing oils into the fabric, which are incredibly hard to clean out and will discolour the fabric and piece over time. Always look 10-20 years ahead. If you're stitching clothing or bedding or anything else that will be in constant contact with skin, go for in-the-hand if you prefer, but anything that's going to be on display or framed you want minimal contact with the surface. It's another reason why removing a piece from the hoop after stitching is important; I have a piece I never unhooped and touched in the same place on the left whenever I worked on it, and there's a curved stain in the upper right edge from my hand oils. Only took a couple of years between starting it and going back to finish it, and it's permanent. I've been stitching for 26 years and started taking it seriously 14 years ago.

Im the same about bobbins for storage and floss drops for using! I want to find some bobbin shaped floss drops so I can wind them up for the best of both

Love stitching in hand. Love floss drops. Actually Annie’s keepers. I do not usually watch a whole floss tube video. But this was great. Thanks.

I am coming back to the hobby after a long hiatus, pre youtube times. Until recently, I hadn't even known that in-hand was an option and I hadn't known about anything other than linen or aida. But after seeing in-hand and trying it, I won't go back to hoop. I do love aida, I have to use a magnifier even with 14 count, so I will continue to use just 14 count. Thank you for your great video!

I’ve been stitching for about a year and just started stitching in hand for a bigger project and it feels like such less of a hassle than using the hoop (which I’d been doing before). Also I am a backstitch hater but a French knot enjoyer,,, is that more or less popular hahaha.

If you like hoops, I haven't found a brand to beat Morgan. They have unparalleled tension and are easy to use because they have a wing nut that's easy to grip. Love the video!

I only railroad shiny light threads that reflect light. And only if I'm not too lazy.

With embroidery hoops, I have found that it is how you tension it to how you like. I am working on a big piece of Aida that is otherwise uncomfortable to work on in hand, and I have been able to get the hoop tension on the fabric just riight to where it is perfect for what I am currently liking to do. Smaller projects however I do think that a Hoop can be unneccessary.

Try loosely braiding the floss on your drop to keep them from looking ratty. You can still pull the threads.

I have completed two full coverage cross stitches that are poster size - one is 180,000 stitches and the other 120,000 stitches. The back looked awful before they were stretched and framed. The one I am doing now is 90,000 stitches and is separated into 35 panels and uses 76 colors. I do one entire color on one panel (about 3,300 stitches per panel). It is refreshing to watch this video

Loved the video. One unpopular opinion that I have is I stitch one handed in hand and enjoy flipping the work back and forth. I find it more meditative than using the sewing method or trying to find the hole from the back.

I just started cross stitching and immediately realized I was going to have to use bobbins. My cats are enamored with embroidery floss and have tried to eat it if it's left hanging loose. So I don't really get to have an option. 😅

I just make my own floss drop/floss palette per project. (I do a few strands kind of guessing at how many strands I need for a 'good' amount of stitching, and then every so often I refill them - anything that seems low that I know I have a bunch left to do in that color I'll just add a few more while I've got the floss out.) That way I can keep the major part of the floss safely packed up on the bobbins so it can't tangle. (I spend a lot of time on the road in an RV and all that bouncing and shifting around can be a challenge keeping stuff in good shape.)

love how cross stitching has been going on forever and there is still no real good way of storage and easy access

I am discovering I'm not near as good at embroidery as I think I am. Oh man, have I got a long way to go. LOL! I started my stitching journey as a free hand stitcher. I make my own designs by importing my own photos of my plants in strong sunlight into EasyGrapher software. I chart the leaves and blooms on the page in a pleasing composition. So there's lots of shading and (learned a new term today) confetti stitching in a (another term I learned today) full coverage design. Well, You are super cute and I loved listening to you. Interesting opinions, I have all of them!

Fun video. Do you make full crosses when you cross stitch! How do you stitch with variegated thread? For example the pattern How Sweet It is… with the variegated thread in that pattern.

New to your channel. This is a great video. One thing you didn't cover was the tent stitch or full cross. I personally love the tent. 1) The overall look in the end. Makes it look like a tapestry. 2.) My stitches look so much better. My crosses look so bad I can't stand it and give up on the piece 😫. Some say its not cross stitch if you don't make a full cross. Just wondering what others feel about it. How many of you do a full or half? Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

I have only one opinion: do what works for you and what you enjoy. 👍

Thanks for this great video. May I ask what type and size of needles you use. I like to stitch the way you do, but mine doesn’t look as neat as yours

What beautiful nails ❤😊❤

I really enjoyed your video & learned quite a bit. I’m almost 70 yrs old & started counted cross stitch back in my mid twenties. Back then, it seems there was a rule that you started in the middle of the aida cloth, then made your first stitch in the bottom left of the X, crossing over to the upper right, 0:46 continuing down the row, & then came back to the right crossing all the stitches. Cross stitching was put aside in my mid thirties when I went back to college, adopted my 2 daughters, & then became a teacher. Fast forward until now. I’m retired & have completed a few diamond paintings, but would like to start cross stitch again. I was so surprised to learn how things have changed! Now it seems it’s anything goes with where you start. Am I right about this? Do you think I had it wrong previously & has it always been ok to start wherever? You’re much younger, so maybe it’s always been that way since you’ve been cross stitching. Forgive this long comment, but hearing the different terms & watching you show a few examples has really piqued my interest. Due to my poor eyesight, I’ve ordered a lighted magnifying floor lamp which will hopefully be a huge benefit with diamond painting & cross stitch. I’m thinking of buying a stamped kit to familiarize myself again. Are there websites to buy cross stitch kits just as there is in diamond painting? Thanks for any advice or tips you can give me if you’re able to reply.

i’m autistic and i have loved cross stitching since i was about 6 or 7. i have a lot of unpopular cross stitch opinions, for example, i have to finish ALL of one colour before moving onto the next, and backstitching is my favourite part because it beings it all together

10:35 I do both: I roll the braided straps in the bobbins and storage them in the plastic box. As they are braided, just grab the tail and let it fall, it will unroll allowing you to pull the single thread easily. Then, just roll the braid again in the bobbin fast ;-)

I wish I could learn to stitch in hand. I was raised on hoops thirty years ago and it’s just a habit. I have a project I started in a hoop and I worry that if I work in my hands it will change how the stitches look. Do you have a suggestion for learning? Or specific videos that are great examples? I like how you’re holding your project. Does your hand hurt after a while?

One used to be able to find Aida made from silk, rayon and even Jacquards...soft, drapey and beautiful but haven't seen silk or Jacquard Aida in decades.

Some patterns have too many items in them. Example I have a pattern of an old barn. Off to the side of the barn is two small figures. I would like to remove them. Is it possible to continue the pattern on one side to connect it with the pattern on the other?

Im a q snap girly. Not a hoop girly. The q anap allows me to easliy and quicly adjust the tension if needed unlike hoops that thate forcer to adjust. And i dont like stitching in hand

I learned to stitch in hand and I do Crosstitch, embroidery, and needlepoint all in hand

Interesting talk!

Oh man, I love that project you’re working on. I’m a sucker for birds. Does the chart have a name?

The reason messy backs are bad is because it effects framing. Too lumpy and it won't sit straight. But if you don't frame then no worries. I use thread organisers. - bit of cardboard with holes down one side. And each colour per hole.

I don't necessarily WANT to have multiple projects going at once but the ADHD dictates that I need a billion things started at once -- and that goes for most things like books and other projects too😅

How do you stitch from the front like that? I pull the needle down to the back, them up in a new hole. I see you doing stitches without going through the back and it looks efficient! I'm a newbie

Loved your video. I can agree with everything except the people who stitch in hand that make you feel like you are better than the rest of us and the same way with linen, I heard last night that there is a guild that won't let a woman be in it because she stitched on Aida.

Hi new to your channel and cross stitch . I watched how you were stitching it doesn’t look like how I am learning . I put needle through pull out the bottoms them poke up and pull out it almost looks like you are doing a lot in and out I’m one stitch . I don’t know if I am making sense lol

I really, really, really dislike stitching in hand largely because my hands end up sweating all over my work. I did a piece where there was no way for me to hold it in hand without holding onto some stitches already done in Blanc and my (clean, freshly washed hands) discolored the thread so much I had to wash it twice 🤢. Much prefer using q-snaps with a grime guard so I can prop it against a table or my knee and work two handed with minimal touching of the completed work. Idk, I see so many other people working in hand that I wonder if I'm the only one with this problem, do I just have weirdly sweaty palms? I dont know how to ask other stitchers this in natural conversation? 😂

Can you grid linen fabric?

For 14ct designs, stitching on 28ct instead means the fabric recedes into the background, rather than dominating the design as 14ct Aida will do fir something that is not full coverage.

That was fun! I used to have all my floss on bobbins, and then I saw other people doing the floss tag type storage … I really love the look of the Annie’s Keepers system, but it’s pricey, so I created my own. I started out stitching in hand doing the sewing method,and stitched that way for many years (not realizing that’s what I was doing). In the past few years I’ve converted to q-snaps and scroll rods, and do two handed stitching, now I can’t stitch in hand, it’s weird! ~Katrina

New here I cs a autumn piece in 80’s so happy ready to have it framed owner of cs shop how I didn’t make my stitch all one direction then I could se there was no flow to it didn’t frame it but kept it asWHAT NOT TO DO Example 😳oh

My mum swears by bobbins so I’ve never even heard of floss dropping I think this might help me Personally I’m just a mess and all my own thread is tangled up with eachother in this giant pile and it takes forever to untangle lol Are thimbles an unpopular thing in the cross stitching community? I’m still pretty new so I don’t know Personally I love them especially thimble rings for your index finger

I'm tired of the aida hate. Everyone needs to just chill. Both linen and aida have their places. I have done projects on aida that I find look better because the aida gives it a burlap very rustic look. I also know that I have patterns that I'd never stitch on aida because of the style or doing a sampler reproduction and wanting to keep it authentic. I always have a linen project and an aida project going. Aida is easier snd more relaxing to stitch on for me. I'm 34 and it's not an eye sight issue, just preference. There are so many beautiful aidas out there now. My current project is a blackbird small that I'm stitching on an adia that has a combination of cream and gray threads woven together. It looks spooky and rustic and I'd never change it for the world.

I think you need to just forget the opinions and go with what you are comfortable doing.

Have you tried Blackwork? Addicting

What is a WPS?

Ohhh sewing method how do I do that ?

I’m sure I’m a terrible cross stitcher because I don’t stress about my stitches all laying the same way. I don’t always start on the same spot and cross the same direction 😮 It doesn’t bother me but I can imagine the horror others may feel with it haha

Railroading? It has a name? And there are people who do it intentionally? I do my best to avoid it.

I have a Christmas Stocking (I lost it for ages, over a decade, & found it when I moved house). I made the mistake of not doing the backstitching as I was going. I now have the backstitching to finish it, and then make it up. Problem is… at the moment I can’t find the pattern! I had the original pattern that was getting beaten up & worn through use, and I know I also bought another copy to keep in case I wanted to make this design again… I can’t find either copy at the moment!

5:05 Wrong. The reason why people do railroading is not because "it looks neater", but because of "better stitch coverage", meaning that instead of a pile of threads that occupies the same area than a single thread, you have a side-by-side thread spread that occupies twice/thrice/etc. times, which is what you want when you're using more than one thread and you're paying for the floss...

I’m a hoop stitcher! I did in hand for a few projects but ended up going to stitching in the hoop. For me, my stitches are more even this way. I have never tried a q-snap and definitely want to someday!