Your Arts N' Crafts

Jeanette from AZ (Contact Member) -

I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and unfortunately have not been able to cross stitch in a while. When I'm on the computer I wear one of those arm braces and it's just too cumbersome when I attempt to cross stitch. I have a couple unfinished projects that I wish I could work on!!

Comment #1 Cross-Stitch from Stitching (Contact Member) -

I think you can buy small wrist guards just for stitching and the trick is to keep your wrist as stationary as possible.

• Quilting and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Comment #2 Jameel from Connecticut (Contact Member) -

I'd need a magnifying glass if I attempted to cross stitch. My eyesight has gotten worse over the years. Isn't there some kind of lap table that you can buy that does have a magnifyer on it?

Comment #3 Cross-Stitch from Stitching (Contact Member) -

Oh dear! I understand bad eyesight. I just found out that the company that makes my left contact lens isn't going to make that lens. And I'm already in the strongest lens! So Sam's Club gave me a temporary, but it's a half degree weaker. :-(

I found products you might be interested in at The Daylight Company and Angel Yarns.

Comment #4 tammy (63.176.159.119) -

do you know where i can get help with cross stitching. I have no idea how to do it but i would like to try. thank you in advance.

Comment #5 tandum (63.176.159.236) -

how can i learn cross stitching over the internet?

Comment #6 Jay R (63.176.159.201) -

To Start

It is best to centre the cross stitch design by starting in the middle so that your stitching fits onto the piece of fabric without going off to one side. An easy way to do this is to lightly fold the fabric in four to find the centre point. This point should coincide with the centre of the chart, which is normally marked with arrows at the top, bottom and sides. The centre of the design is normally the best place to start stitching.

Most stranded cotton threads (floss) are made up of six strands. Seperate these out into the correct number of strands (as indicated on the chart instructions) for stitching. The colour key shows which shade of cotton to use for each symbol on the chart.

Start Stitching

To begin the cross stitch, thread your needle and bring it up through the fabric, leaving a short end of cotton at the back, and work over this with your first few stitches to secure it. When there are enough stitches in place you can start off a new colour by first running it through the back of the existing stitches. To finish a colour, run your cotton under several stitches at the back to secure it.

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