Cross Stitch Faster by Gridding Your Fabric | Cross Stitch for Beginners | Flosstube

Learn what gridding is for cross stitch and how it can help you cross stitch faster and avoid making miscounting mistakes. This is an especially helpful tip for big projects. There are 2 ways to grid your fabric: writing with a water erasable pen, and weaving with a guide wire (it's basically a thin fishing line). This video shows you how to grid easily with both techniques.
💙 TIME STAMPS
0:00 Begin Video
0:21 What is Gridding
0:40 How Gridding Helps with Counted Cross Stitch
1:03 How to Grid for Cross Stitch
1:24 Use a Water Erasable Pen
1:50 How to Grid with a Water Soluble Pen
2:59 Removing the Water Erasable Ink
3:23 How to Grid with a Nylon Wire
3:44 Using Easy Count Guideline
6:05 This trick helps remove the wire even faster
8:40 Variations on weaving the nylon wire
9:41 Removing the nylon wire
11:10 Purchase pre-gridded Fabric
11:33 What do you prefer to use to grid your fabric?
💙 LEARN MORE ABOUT GRIDDING
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💙 DISCLAIMER
This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on some of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This is at NO CHARGE to you, and helps support the channel so that I can continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
💙 LINKS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO
Water Erasable Pen - amzn.to/30vwuJ5
Easy Count Guideline - amzn.to/3icqMBW
Zweigart Easy Count Pre-Gridded Aida Fabric - amzn.to/31ntxt3
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#crossstitch #flosstube #gridding

[@lisashyman]

Have been counting my Aida for years and found about about gridding during covid lockdown. It’s not cheating it’s just less stressful than unpicking rows because of 1 stitch error. Love the wire idea as I was petrified washing my brightly coloured threads. Thanks. Going to try this.

[@debbiemcbride1005]

You really can teach an old dog new tricks. I have crossed stitched for 40 years. This past week my daughter and 8 month old Grandson came to visit for a few days. She was starting a new cross stitch project and had grids on the fabric. I found this very interesting. I pulled out a project I started 10 years ago and thought I would try to grid the cloth. I used a pen and made a couple of mistakes (cloth is now drying after I rinsed it in water.) Your video looked so easy I ordered the Easy Count Guideline Wire and it should be here 1-2 days; which should give my project time to finish drying and ready for the wire method, thanks to your video. My daughter also taught me to turn the pattern into a PDF file; now I can enlarge it enough to see the pattern symbols in the square.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hey Debbie, that’s great! Let me know how the guide wire works out for you. My Mom turned me on to using PDFs and apps instead of paper patterns, too, and I’ll never turn back 😁

[@catwald0]

Thanks for making gridding seem less scary!

[@annebartells777]

I have never heard of this and all I could think of how much easier a project would be. I stumbled on your video in the nic of time. I just ordered a pattern online that is going to be the most challenging project I have ever tackled. I am so excited to stitch it as well as intimidated at the same time. I am definitely going to grid with this project. It will really help from making those counting mistakes. Thanks for posting. I just subscribed

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Glad to help, Anne. Thanks for watching!💙

[@DoraG99]

I gridded a pattern for the first time at the start of the year except I had never seen a proper tutorial about it so I used embroidery floss, which got caught in my stitches so removing it was nearly impossible 😭 I was wondering how people managed to avoid it - turns out it was wire! Glad I’ve seen this video now so I know what went wrong and I can do better next time ❤️❤️❤️

[@mommadragon3732]

I just started cross stitch a month ago... and gridding is DEFINITELY what I am going to do now!! Thank you!!!!

[@luiscasimi]

Wow - never heard of gridding before. It would have saved me a lot of time (and a few mistakes I had to rip out) in my last project! Thanks for all your tips!!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

lol Oh yes, I know EXACTLY what you mean

[@lorielhassani]

There is also pre gridded fabric that you can buy

[@09purpledyer]

I hadn’t heard of it either. It was mentioned in a book I am listening to.

[@belindariffenburg5461]

Only problem with pen or gridded fabric is if you use color works or weeks hand dyed thread they will bleed onto your fabric

[@ROCKaholic]

I can't believe I never thought before to grid the fabric. Definitely would save a lot of time. Thanks for the tip!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

You're welcome!

[@Mary-sh2bp]

My sister gifted me pens and I was like, uhhhh.... Then, she says, you love cross stitching, so I bought you a fabric pen so you can easily mark the cloth to make it easier. Never thought I would be excited about a pen in my life. Haha

[@meredithebrown1676]

After a very disastrous stitch gone wrong, I'm very glad of this video-Thanks

[@itzmeigh]

Great video! I could tell you made a conscious effort to avoid vocal ticks (umm, and, like, so, tisk...) your effort paid off and it was a wonderful informative video! Good job! I’ll be adding it to my collection for when people ask me “how to grid”. I grid using fishing line or Sulky Sliver. I use a 8 up 2 down method. I like to stitch in my border first to use as a guide.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Great! Thanks for sharing!

[@AlfieSyd23]

I should really start doing this....I eyeball everything and hope for the best

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hey, if that’s what works for you, no need to change 🤷‍♀️

[@roberttorio1950]

I tried and it really helps

[@josiejimenez1950]

I love the gridding technique. It helps a lot in my projects

[@sarahjohnson3092]

I've never heard of gridding before but will definitely try it in the future. I have marked the center point and lines at the edges to help me get started. I was taught to find the center then count over and up to find the corner start. For fine aida that may be too small for a water soluble marker, use what I use, a fine lead mechanical pencil. The lead is light enough to not show under stitches and can be washed out later if you like.

[@moanamatrondesigns]

Love that you give a couple of options, always great for craft projects!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Agreed! 😁

[@crazycatladystitches]

I grid using cotton and as I finish a block cut the thread and ease it out as I go. Love the idea of the wire so bought some and will try it on my next large project! Thanks for the tip

[@elyyoung4492]

Thank you for this new info. I have done counted cross stitch for years. This was all new to me & I love it! I’ll probably try both methods to find my niche.

[@ritasharp5676]

Thank you for this video. I have watched others, but you described it so well and showed it too, I will use this next time I do a pattern.

[@CabbagePatchSoap]

What a fantastic idea, I'll have to remember this when I pull out my cross stitch projects later :) Subscribed!

[@ameycohen8982]

This was a great tutorial. Can't wait to watch them all. You're a good teacher!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Thanks, Amey, glad it was helpful!

[@franzrogar]

1:23 Or a heat erasable ballpoint pen (for example Frixion by Pilot). Of course, you wouldn't use the rubber part to make "heat" by friction (rubbing it against the cloth). Just use a hot-gun or hair dryer or an iron and apply the heat, thus saving you from the "water".

[@janelmore6677]

Thank you a ton for this explanation-so clear and easy to understand...love it!!!!

[@christianeschulmann6342]

Thank you very much, your instructions were very clear and made me understand the process very well for the first time. I couldn't quite understand it before, I thought that you have to do five up and five down. I will try to grid with the wire for the first time ( purchased in a charity shop/ goodwill a while ago).💐

[@larchul08]

Thank you so much on this tutorial, you are the first one that actually show how to do this on a grid.🙏😇

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Kind of you to say so! Glad it was helpful ❤️

[@AJ-ny1ox]

I just did this with my current project which is only my second (a picture I turned into a pattern) and it has helped minimize my mistakes by a LONG SHOT! I'm never counting without gridding from now on!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Yessss!!!!

[@pavamyers1647]

I’ve never gridded before but going to have to when I start my dragon pattern. Think I’ll try the washable pen first.

[@beckyacosta2090]

Excellent tutorial…I like the wire method idea!

[@victoriareynolds1137]

I'm beginning a complicated project on a fine dark colored linen over 2 threads rather than Aida cloth and I already miscounted my stitches once and had to pull out all the work I had already completed to start over. I'd heard of gridding, but had never tried it. Because the pattern is complicated and includes bead work, I bought the wire. As you pointed out, drawing the grid lines likely won't work on the fabric in this case because the weave is so fine. Thank you for the tips on wire gridding. Probably won't be as fast as the Aida cloth because I'll have to count out the 2 threads for each stitch, but, I believe good prep work makes for a better finished project. Thank you for the easy tutorial on how to grid!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

It will be a bit of a grind, but once the gridding is done, the project will be a breeze! 💙 Double-count all your grid lines as you go. You already know how easy it is to miscount over-2 😉 Best of luck!

[@sideways586]

I use only wettable threads, because I like to wash my needlework at completion. For me gridding with the water markers is the best. You can get them in different colors too, so if you want to have a 10 space grid in one color, then mark the middle of each of those (giving a 5 space grid) with a different color.

[@blackkymera]

So helpful!! thanks for sharing.

[@SableRain]

Thank you for this!

[@LoriSews]

Thanks so much! This really helped

[@SmittenKitten.]

Have you ever used a Frixion pen (which removes with heat) to draw the grids? I don't cross stitch, but I do hand embroidery, and use Frixion pens to draw the designs on. I then remove the marks with my hair dryer because I don't want to iron on top of my stitching. The marks drift away as if they were never there in the first place. My brother wants me to make a specific cross stitch piece for him, which is why I'm trying to get to the bottom of this artform! It's so much trickier than I first imagined... I thought I could just jump from embroidery to cross stitch without pausing a second... Hahahaha... That was a huge mistake! :O Thanks for such a thorough video! I'm going to try to draw the grids with my beloved Frixion pens, and hope for the best!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi @SmittinKitten, I haven't tried them myself, but I have heard from other cross stitchers and embroiderers who use them and they work just fine. If a Frixion pen is already working for you with hand embroidery, it should work with cross stitch, too!

[@SmittenKitten.]

@@NotoriousNeedle Excellent!! Thank you!

[@Kimscrochetandknits]

I’m a beginner so this was super helpful thankyou

[@peggymackey34]

Sarah, I just found you and I'm thrilled!!! I've done some nice work but all the hard way. I look forward to learning much from you. = D

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Peggy, thanks so much for watching! Hope you find some interesting and helpful tips and don’t be afraid to ask I questions. 💙

[@jimmysolomon9633]

I'm a relatively new cross stitcher guy. I'm starting my first big project definitely going to grid. I'm planning to use the pen.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Nice!

[@katealigaard1483]

Hi Jimmy, I'm relatively new to cross stitch too and struggle to see the fabric holes sometimes. I just got a water soluble fine point pen in the post today so I'm hoping it will help. My eyesight's not that good! :o(

[@live4god4]

I have cross stitched for many years but never grid. I think gridding would make things easier for me. I do believe I will be giving it a try.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Great! Hope it helps. Let us know how it goes!

[@Zhuria]

I use both the water-soluble pens and a physical grid depending on my needs! If it's a small project and/or I don't feel like gridding, I still will use the pen to mark the corners and center of the project. I wash all my projects anyway (I sweat a lot >_>) so it's no biggie and very quick to just make a few marks. If I'm gridding, I'll use either a ~8 lb. test (any weight works as long as it's thin) fishing line (I would put money on Easy Count Guideline just being re-marketed fishing line) - I found some cheap red line at my local store - or Sulky Sliver metallic thread. The fishing line comes out a lot easier, but it tends to have a mind of its own when you're trying to thread it/make sure it stays on the spool, while the Sulky Sliver is a bit easier to wrangle and comes in tons of fun colours! I think the latter is my favourite but the fishing line is probably easier to find locally, and a super good option. Also important to note that you can grid however much or little you like! I was doing a large 250 x 250 count project and decided to just grid every 50 squares so that I wasn't spending half my life gridding. This way I'm mainly landmark stitching, but I can check against the grid every so often to make sure I'm in the right place in relation to the entire project.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Zhuria - I've never tried gridding other than 10x10. I can see how that would be very helpful for larger projects. And yes, I believe the Easy Count Guideline is pretty much just like a very thin, red fishing line. Most of the fishing lines I've found tend to be translucent, so I don't see them as easily against my fabric. Plus, I'm already at the craft store (or at the curbside) so it's convenient to pick it up there. But yes, the right fishing line will definitely work!

[@mrsfrappucchinoblub6005]

I am waiting for my first HAED in the mail and am a little anxious because I never gridded any of the smaller projects I have been done so far. But with a quite large full coverage, which has a white background and is therefore not totally fully covering, I feel like I really need to grid. Still so unsure what I am gonna do though :D thank you for this tutorial!

[@lindamumford2739]

Thanks!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Thanks for the kind tip!

[@katherinejordan8018]

Love your shirt!

[@teririordan2042]

I didn't know they still made Easy Count Guideline. I have some from years ago. I also keep the Guideline I pull out to re-use.

[@haliebrooks1076]

Thanks for the demo of the red guideline wire! I was having a hard time visualizing how it would work without getting caught in the project's threads.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

You're welcome! It's SUPER smooth and I found it easy to work with.

[@5877user]

I’ve completely a large Christmas Santa and the red gridding “wire” came out pretty easily bc it’s not a thread

[@priscilapreto]

Thank you

[@andreaandiandi4061]

I love gridding with the blue pen - and I don´t usually use a ruler . just make sure you keep marking the right hole (I am an avid Aida Stitcher). My peojects looks sometimes like a notebook =) Well I always wash my finished projects - so this is okay. I never had any problems with the BLUE water pen, I don´t want to try out others =)

[@kyetes.866]

Thank you for this. I tried a water-erasable pen for my last full-coverage (ish) project, but I found out the hard way that ironing (on low) makes it come back as faint brown marks. I re-washed and re-ironed the piece more carefully and managed to get rid of the lines. But I think I’ll grid with thread next time.

[@Kat-Knows]

I just use a slick piece of quilting thread from side to side or top to bottom, usually in yellow. It works great & i can pull out one thread at a time as i am done with it.

[@katealigaard1483]

Buying pre-gridded fabric is surely not "cheating" as you said. Personally I don't use it but I have recently bought a fine point water soluble pen which I hope works.

[@gailyeamans2860]

Thank you for the tutorial on gridding. I am definitely going with the red easy count guideline. Too afraid the washable pens could leave marks after finishing the project. You are very good at teaching.☺️

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Thanks for the kind compliment. Glad it helped!

[@5877user]

I’m currently using easy count bc it worked well on a large previous pattern and was relatively easy to pull out at the end. It’s just that you have to frequently recount and check to make sure you did the 4-6 stitch and haven’t dropped down a row. At 71, I do 5-10 rows in the morning and do something else til the next day til it’s done.

[@shinypaintf588]

an even better option instead of the water erasable pen is a heat/friction erasable pen! they really don't need much heat since they're meant for paper and you don't have to worry about washing delicately as to not undo the knots or stiches & waiting for it to dry. you can was it before embroidering then flat iron it after!

[@debbieelholm7921]

I’ve been doing cross stitching for years and have never heard of gridding your fabric. I’m not sure I’ll use either method, but it’s nice to learn new options!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

It is!

[@cindyfoxtaylor2880]

Wow. I've never heard of this. I'm sure it would help with miss counting

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Awesome! Let me know how it turns out when you try it 😀

[@marilynrobertson6265]

My first grid product. I chose your thread red color. Thanks I am a new sub.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Thanks for watching!

[@marilynrobertson6265]

@@NotoriousNeedle Your welcome, I have watched many along my journey to cross stitch. Just got my first kit. So hoping your channel will help me along the way. You are easy to understand and very capable of teaching me in a way that is clear. I have had seizures in the last three years. I am a gma and have many health problems. So easily understood is needed for me. Thanks

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Aw, very kind of you to say. A kit is a fun and easy way to get started! Feel free to reach out with questions, I'll answer if I know. Take care!

[@vincentiusdamianus3569]

Good crosstick

[@alondramaelipio8050]

What I use to grid now is the Pilot Frixion Pen and Highlighter (soft pastel cauz they don't leave a stain). When you make a mistake you just need to iron it or use the rubber at the end of the pen but if you have a huge mistake just iron it and also it's much cheaper than the water soluble pen. Grinding also save my life cauz I feel intimidated on counting and feel like I will not finish my project. I don't know why but that's how I feel

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Makes sense to use ANY technique that helps prevents miscounting (and then frogging) on those really big projects. What a PITA!

[@amberwilson7333]

I've also used a hair dryer on high for the frixion

[@renabrown851]

Grid lines work😉

[@NotoriousNeedle]

They do!

[@janniestanley]

Thx for this tutorial. I know the video is 2 years old, but I’m thinking of trying full coverage and this was very helpful. One suggestion though. Please skip the music in the background. I think it takes away from focusing on your tutorial. Actually really bothered me personally. But thx so much for your video. I appreciate your time and work that went into it.

[@junbug20]

Haven't seen any pre gridded in the stores, pre gridded sounds good to me!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

I haven’t either, sadly. I’ve only been able to order it online.

[@junbug20]

@@NotoriousNeedle I found some on Amazon!

[@barbraannfraser5890]

What a great idea. Ordered the wire, now my question. I am confused which side is the right side of the fabric? The side with the crosses or the the grid? Thanks.

[@markclay5347]

I use smoke coloured Fireline (I have a stack left over from beading) as its a cheap alternative and comes in massive spools.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

What is it made of?

[@markclay5347]

​@@NotoriousNeedle It's probably similar to what you are using but comes in a variety of thicknesses - depending upon what size fish you want to catch! I'm using up my 4lb or 0.006" size and this one was from Beadsmith but you can get Fireline and Wildfire from any fishing tackle supplier. I misunderstood your video initially as you said wire - hence my comments about this bonded nylon but I should have paid more attention to what you were saying! BTW these come in white or smoke - handy for darker fabrics. Happy Stitching from Sheffield, UK!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

@@markclay5347 Yes, very handy. Thank you!

[@rebeccajourney3183]

I always gently wash my piece to remove any residual grime even though I always wash my hands. I just bought a piece of easy grid fabric to do a huge chart. So it will be my first try. Just wish it came in color fabric options...I don't think I'd try the wire!

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

12/17/2020: Love the animation. EXCELLENT tutorial

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@5877user]

At 71, I can only grid 14- count about 5-10 rows at a time til the next day til it’s done. It’s very fiddly bc you have to recount frequently to make sure you haven’t dropped down a row, or coming up at row 3 instead of row 4, etc. I tried looking through mag eyes but that was too strong. Maybe have to give it another chance. Just my experience. I’m actually doing my first full coverage stamped kit fr China. Don’t have to grid or count. Kind of cool. Floss not great though.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

I think I know what you mean. My Mom has had poor eyesight her whole life. She sometimes uses double-magnifiers that my Dad bought her as a present. It really helps! She's able to do petit point with it - just for short periods of time to give her eyes a rest. I've never tried one of those kits from China! I can see how you wouldn't need to grid for a stamped kit. They all look so big! Besides the floss, do you like it?

[@s.b8568]

Hello Sarah and thank you very much for your video ! I'm new in cross-stitch and I was wondering if having a grid center different from the pattern center could be problematic ? Thank you very much for your answer

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi! And welcome to the wonderful world of cross stitch 💙 One of the things about gridding that makes it so helpful is that it mimics the chart pattern. If the grid center doesn’t match the chart, none of the grid will match the chart. And this will make it harder to keep count and easier to make mistakes. But it doesn’t have to be EXACTLY center in the fabric. It’s ok if it’s off by a square or two. And if you’re not stitching over the whole fabric, you only need to grid where you’ll be stitching. Does that answer your question?

[@s.b8568]

@@NotoriousNeedle Thank you for your quick answer, it's pretty clear :) ! I ask you this question because I'm planning to do a pattern that will be framed with a centered pattern. If I understand the global process, I will have to deal with 3 levels of dimensions : - My pattern dimensions (the smallest one) -My frame dimensions (the middle one) -My global dimensions ( the frame dimensions + 3inches on each side in order to tension the aida at the end). The case that the 3 levels share the same center would be ideal. I cut the aida on the global dimensions find and draw its centers. From that, I will draw the frame dimensions, the pattern dimensions and I will draw the grid. In that case that the pattern and the grid center are the same, everything will be aligned (and that will be AWESOME). Is this logic correct ? A question in a comment, that's a bit sneaky ! 😇😇😇

[@NotoriousNeedle]

@@s.b8568, yes, that logic works! 👍🏼

[@nikkibaker421]

I've been stitching for 16yrs and I didn't know the pre gridded fabric washed out... I never used it as I didn't want it visible. Would have been great for my 85cmx135cm 18ct piece I started 4.5yrs ago.. Thanks 😊

[@NotoriousNeedle]

lol I know what you mean. I think I had been cross stitching for 28 years before I ever heard of a needle minder. I can't tell you how many pins and needles I've stepped on. Happy stitching!

[@flora20]

Me either! Lol 😂 I always avoided it like you because I thought it wouldn’t look right when the project was finished lol 😂

[@annaa2984]

Hi, I’m starting my first big project. Does this type of pen bleed into the thread when you wash it out at the end?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Anna, water soluble ink does not bleed into the thread when you wash it out. It conveniently disappears. Congrats on the first big project!

[@cathieh.7225]

I've gridded Aida according to your method and found it very useful, thank you. But how would I do 25 count evenweave, I've got a mental block when trying to think how I would do it with the down 4 and up 6? Thank you.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

It depends on if you’re stitching over one or over two. If over one, you would grid the same way - down 4 and up 6 (or any pair of numbers that add to 10) If you’re stitching over two, double the grid. So that you go down 8 and up 12 (or any pair of numbers that add up to 20) Hope that helps!!

[@cathieh.7225]

@@NotoriousNeedle it does thank you!

[@dawnmorris8623]

I have a really badly printed stamped piece. It really looks awful if I actually use the printed crosses. How would this technique work on this type of project?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Wow, that sucks about your pattern! Gridding is used in counted cross stitch to help you keep count. With printed cross stitch, the idea is that the pattern itself is preprinted on the fabric, so you can't miscount. So unfortunately, gridding won't work with preprinted cross stitch. The good thing about printed cross stitch is that the pattern will wash away. You can stitch on it however you want and no one will every know what it looked like before.

[@yvetterice499]

I am confused as to why you counted.....4 and 6...instead of 5 or 10 spaces? I have used wire and a regular sewing thread to grid. thanks for the info

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Yvette! You can use any numbers that consistently add up to ten so that your fabric grid looks similar to your chart grid. I used 4 and 6 as a personal preference. I’ve tried 5 and 5, 8 and 2, and I found that 4 and 6 worked best for my eyes. Hope that helps!

[@terrymazur8085]

Hi I never used any fabric that is pre gridded So it's my first time Could you please explain how to use it Thank you My name is terry

[@TimelordSnowy]

only done small kits before so its not been that big a deal but I want to do a really big non kit project soon (I think its like..300x500 stitches if I remember right) aaannnndd Im not doing that without a grid. Was originally just gonna grid it based on the pages of the pattern so I could just track based on pages (and I cant remmeber if the pattern has a grid on it or not) but I might do the 10 by 10 if it does. I just need to figure out how to count the stitches...do you count 10 from the lower left corner? thats how I count stitches when Im finding a place because I start in the lower left only thing im scared about doing the pen grid is it not coming out and also getting the fabric and thrhead wet as Ive never washed any of my kit stuff, but I also dont really want to weave thread thorugh it either..

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Instead of counting from the edge, you could count from the middle and model the grid after how it looks in your pattern. Regarding ink v weaving - there are friction pens now that you can use for gridding don’t require washing out when you’re done. They use heat to disappear instead of water. That might work better for you. Just test it out on a sample piece of fabric or the edge of your fabric first. I’ve never used one, but I have read a few stories about folks living in colder climates and sometimes the line reappear slightly. Good luck on your first big piece!!

[@TimelordSnowy]

@@NotoriousNeedle yeah i found a water soluble pen and it washed out on the 1 hr sit so Im letting one sit for a week or 2 since Im not starting this till i get out of school and gonna see if it still comes out. Couldnt find any heat ones and the less i have to have shipped the better...I still have to find the right size fabric ;=;

[@JsMomma7]

Can I use a heat erasable pen to grid my fabric and iron with a low iron when I'm done?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Kerie - thanks for asking! I haven't tried the heat erasable pens. What I have heard is that they work pretty well. I have also heard that the ink can reappear in very cold climates. My advice is always to see if you can try it on a small piece of fabric first. Better to know than to waste hours stitching a piece that can't be displayed. Let me know if you do try it! I'd be curious how it turns out. :)

[@JsMomma7]

@@NotoriousNeedle i tried it last night. The pen worked well to write on the fabric and after I ironed it the ink was gone. It didn't come back in water when I washed it I did get it to come back when I put it in the freezer for a few minutes but just at room temp I don't think the ink would reappear.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

@@JsMomma7 Awesome! Thanks for sharing!! I'll have to try it out now, too lol

[@07bennyb]

I’m using the red fishing wire to grid a large project on aida 16. I did one single row and attempted to wiggle the wire out and it won’t budge! Roughly 350 squares doing the over 4 under 6 method. Would you suggest tying off the wire at the halfway point or am I doing something wrong?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Without seeing the project in person, it is really difficult to pinpoint the issue. The most common reason I've seen for this is that the grinding wire was pierced by the needle and stitched THROUGH while embroidering. The best way I have found to fix this is to wiggle out the wire in stages. See if you can catch it maybe 20 squares in with the tip of your needle or with a seam ripper. If you can, great! Move on to the next area of 20 stitches. When you get to a point where the wire won't budge, start from the opposite side of the project and work on the same piece of grid wire. Eventually, you come to the spot where it's stuck. You can try to trim the wire reeeeeally close to the stitches and pull it out. Or, you can bury the remaining piece of wire under the stitches and just leave it in the piece. Hope that helps!

[@07bennyb]

@@NotoriousNeedle thank you this does help a bit. So I actually haven’t even started! All I’ve done is gridded a single row! But it was a really long row and so thinking ahead, I tugged each side as a test to make sure I could pull it out once I actually do complete the project. However, your suggestion of using a seam ripper should work as long as I have enough space to avoid undoing the finished product. I created some slack in the middle and am able to pull it out from there if I can snip the wire in the middle. Otherwise, my other idea was to tie off the ends in the middle and essentially divide the row into two separate lines.

[@Centralmassmedia]

Hello! I only cross stitched once in 1983 - a stamped whale 🐳 while on Cape Cod. Thought I’d try counted cross stitch. Can you really wash out the water soluble pen with all the floss stitched in?! I’m worried the colors will bleed. ☹️

[@NotoriousNeedle]

You can! The water soluble pens will not bleed. If you use colorfast embroider floss (like DMC and Anchor threads), the colors will not bleed. Some of the cheaper floss brands can bleed, so don't wash those. Also, I don't recommend using the water soluble pen for a project that will take you more than a month or so to complete. The longer the ink is on the fabric, the harder it is to come out. Welcome back to happy stitching!

[@pjserge2579]

@@NotoriousNeedle, I'm quieter also and use a water-soluble pen. If you test the fabric first and mark your area you will be fine. It will wash out. Most of the Cross Stitching will cover your marking. Make sure to use good threads DMC and such. They will not bleed. You will not have any problems.

[@Centralmassmedia]

I have been cross stitching for 6 months now and I’ve only used water soluble pen. Plus I always wash and iron my projects when they are complete. Everything has turned out neat, crisp and nice! I just came back to this video because I’m starting my first large project and wanted to go through the wire gridding again. I like the idea of both. Will decide soon. Thanks for the clear video!

[@beckyacosta3241]

How did you know how much line to pull out to grid the first set of columns without tugging on loops on each end?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

I didn't! I left it all connected until I came to the end. If the line was running short, I fed more line through the fabric. I did this so that I would only have to knot it twice - once at the start of the line and once at the end, and so that I could pull the whole thing out at once. But that's not necessary. It's easier to just cut the line every few rows or columns and knot the ends.

[@beckyacosta3241]

Gotcha! We just didn’t see you red it through the fabric on the video. Thank you for the tutorial and quick reply!! 😻

[@cltherrien]

I had never gridded before but I was doing a large project and so had decided to do it after watching videos on it, including yours. When I removed my grid lines, you could see where the lines were, and especially could see the 4 corners of each grid, especially on the lighter areas such as skin tones, and other light colors. Can’t tell you how upset I am because this took me 2 1/2 years to stitch only to find this happened. I would never have gridded had I known this was a possibility. I haven’t washed it yet, but I’m really hoping it will help. Has this happened to you and, if so, were you able to get rid of it? I will, from now on, spring for the extra $$ for a pre-gridded fabric.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Im so sorry that happened to you! It depends a great deal on what type of gridding own you’re using. I have heard anecdotes of this happening with using friction pens (erase with heat) in very cold climates, or with the washable ink left on the fabric for long periods of time. This doesn’t happen if you use gridding wire or pre-gridded fabric. But each gridding method has its pros and cons.

[@cltherrien]

@@NotoriousNeedle I used the gridding wire.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

@@cltherrien When you say you can see the grid lines, are you saying that the wire bled color onto the fabric?

[@cltherrien]

@@NotoriousNeedle No bleed. You can just tell where the lines were, and especially the 4 corners of each square. I wish I could attach a photo here to show you.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

@@cltherrien ok. I think I know what you mean - the holes look bigger, is that right? If so, they will return to normal once you wash it. The holes on the bib I stitched with the wire were HUGE! But you couldn’t tell after I washed it.

[@susansu6804]

I made the mistake of gridding with a pencil.. know having trouble removing the marks since my project is completed. :*(

[@jonifoote3501]

Hi, do you always grid your fabric?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Nah, just rarely. I’ll grid for a very large piece that has lots of space between the motifs.

[@jacquelinesfreubelhuske]

Why are you counting from the left to the right and not from the middle to the outsides of the fabric when you use nylon wire?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Jacqueline, I count from left to right because that is what I am used to. I know some folks grid from the middle to help make sure their finished project is centered. But it really depends on how the pattern is gridded, which is not always centered. You can definitely count from the middle as well. I recommend gridding the entire piece of fabric, even where you don't stitch, and having about 3 inches extra on all four sides. That way, even if it's off by a few stitches, there's still plenty of room for framing.

[@conniejlarsen4416]

The water soluble pen is only an option if the threads you are stitching with are colorfast...

[@NotoriousNeedle]

#TRUE!

[@alli_went_bonkers]

What is a cross-country cross-stitcher? Any washable Crayola washable or marker should work...

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Alli! Cross Country cross stitching refers to stitching all of one color in a pattern or motif before moving on to another color. This is as opposed to stitching in sections. An example would be the Parking Method, where you stitch 100 squares (10x10) at a time, even if it’s many different colors.

[@alli_went_bonkers]

@@NotoriousNeedle Thank you for your response! I'm just thinking about taking up this hobby, so I don't know the "lingo"...

[@NotoriousNeedle]

@@alli_went_bonkers, I get it! lol I’ve been doing this for years and new lingo is created all the time! I like to tell folks that the best way to start is with an inexpensive kit from a local needle shop (LNS) or craft store. $5-$10 and you could find your next love :-D

[@alli_went_bonkers]

@@NotoriousNeedle Thanks! That's the plan. 😉

[@Starbeam1979]

To grid or not to grid, that is the question. I'll see myself out.

[@sharronyeates1255]

❤❤can’t seem to get the counting right🤔

[@NotoriousNeedle]

It can take a little practice. And you don't have to use the same "count" that I'm using in this video. So long as the over/under adds up to 10, and they are the same throughout the grid, it'll still work. 🙂

[@patriciamillar5496]

Where do you get the wire

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Patricia - I ordered mine from Amazon (Easy Count Guideline - amzn.to/3icqMBW). You may be able to find it at your local needle shop as well.

[@patriciamillar5496]

@@NotoriousNeedle thank you. I ordered some fishing line but I will try this also and compare

[@gaywells7340]

Isn’t there a danger of the blue pen marks showing up later?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Although I’ve never seen it, I’ve read stories from others. For water soluble pens, some folks say that a dry climate can bring back a hint of the lines. For friction pens that use heat to erase the ink, some folks say extreme cold can bring back the lines a little. To prevent ruining hours and hours of stitching, you can test the pens on a piece of the fabric you want to use. Let the pen stay on at least overnight. Then follow the instructions to remove it. That should give you a good idea of what to expect. Hope that helps!

[@jmstouter6572]

Wanted to let you know the echo in the room allowed the volume to go up a bit more than one would expect. Also, change in volume from your stops to music is rather higher volume when music kicks in. Otherwise I ve no complaints

[@shinelumiere]

I’m so horrible with counting, I’m afraid if I tried gridding my fabric I would miss-count there and screw up the whole thing. I’ve always worked section by section, switching colors as needed within an area I’m working. I tried doing the method of stitching all of one color when I first started stitching but ended up making so many mistakes I ended up tearing a large hole in my fabric. Maybe if I’d known about gridding back then I might’ve had a better start, even though I kept at it despite that initial setback.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

It happens to everyone eventually. I think it’s awesome that you stuck it out and didn’t give up! You could try gridding on a small piece and see if it helps. If not, no need to do it again. Cross stitch should be enjoyable. Do what works for YOU. This is just another option. There’s no hard and fast “rules”. :) If you like the way it turned out = SUCCESS!

[@shinelumiere]

Notorious Needle I might suggest it to a friend, who likes to stitch all of one color at a time, since she’s only been stitching a few months and has run into some trouble missing stitches, and gridding is something I don’t think about, it never showed up much when I was first learning, if at all. I actually tell her that same basic thing when she asks me if she’s doing a thing the “right” way 😁

[@crash92la98]

They have grid templates for quilting, so maybe you can find a grid template for stitching, or modify the quilt template.

[@shinelumiere]

@@crash92la98 Maybe. I honestly think that the grid lines would distract my brain from holding the stitch count and which direction they move in, but I have a kit that has a wide open space in the middle(nativity figures all stitched on one piece of fabric) so I’m gonna try on that, so if I end up mucking things up, it’s not something I’m giving to someone.

[@crash92la98]

@@shinelumiere Well, either way, I'm sure you're future projects will turn out great! I was looking into the topic, because I'm about to start my first super large project. Best of stitching on your new projects.

[@GrandmasPony]

Why do you do the up 4 down 6? I’ve seen up 2 down 8. That’s what confuses me. I see how you’re doing it but not why.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Good question! You can do it however you like. This is easier for me to see and to count. So long as your “ups” and “downs” add up to 10 and are the same for that whole project, it should work just fine.

[@lindenproud958]

If you count 10 holes each time instead of 4 and 6, by offsetting the next row you only need to grid in one direction, (if that makes sense!?) which saves a lot of time when you are working on a large project.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

That’s an interesting idea! Thanks!

[@sharoncsaszar7044]

Hi. I don't understand what you mean. But it sounds better to only have to grid in one direction. Can u elaborate on this idea for me? Sorry, .easily confused these days..lol

[@papermoon50]

I think I'll just mark the fabric with a pen.

[@lorielhassani]

Gridding is torture....necessary....but torture

[@ummsalamah7711]

hmmmmm wire sounds easier

[@CerroneSamuel]

I always grid, because I was using Aida. I just started using a 25 count even weave but I''m not confident enough to to grid it accurately. I'm going to stitch on it a bit first to get accustomed to it, then try to grid after.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

I understand exactly what you mean. A lot can go wrong if you're off by just one thread lol

[@CerroneSamuel]

@@NotoriousNeedle yes it’s scary 😦 lol.