Stitch With Me: Chromatic Dragon - Stitching a large full coverage design without a hoop!

[@barbarawest1205]

Yes, I'd love to watch more SWM videos like this! I prefer stitching in hand also but haven't yet tried such a large project or one that would allow using a single strand, I do fund that I need to flip a lot, mostly because I can't always find the opening where the needle needs to come up. It looks as if your thumbnail is used for that as well as marking where to start and stop threads. I'm going to try to observe myself to find out whether I can improve on my usual flip-and-poke technique. I'm also amazed that you're doing this one without gridding. But isn't PK a game changer? I love it. It looks beautiful and I hope that you and your Lovely Doctor got to see lots and lots of Northern Lights. The solar flares happening last week made them visible as far south as Houston, if one could escape the light pollution. This has never happened before in my lifetime, and I'm 77!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Barbara 😊 It's so lovely to know you enjoy this type of video and I'll be making them more regularly. I think you are right about using my thumbnail to feel where my needle goes. I certainly find that I can find the holes from the back much more easily when stitching in hand. If I use a hoop or frame and can't get my fingers right up to where I'm stitching then I can't find the holes well at all. I know a lot of sttchers find it amazing that I have no grid for such a large project, but I think that's why I don't take my threads very far cross country as I am pretty sure I'd go wrong a whole lot more! Iceland was incedible...photos and chat coming very soon! We got a few small and one super special Northern Lights display 😄 It was very funny to me that people in the UK and USA could also see them at the same time!

[@LisaSmith-u8e]

That was so lovely, thank you I actually learned a few things too! 🎉 x

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much Lisa 😊

[@CraftyColourist]

Thanks for sharing how you stitch such a complex pattern, with so many colours! It's given me some tips and the dragon is looking so stunning already - looking forward to seeing it all finished in a few years time 🙂 And I am in awe of how neat your stitches are! It really makes the piece extra beautiful 🙂

[@catkinandlillie]

I'm so happy you enjoyed this and picked up some tips 😊 It's a great project to work on and I really love the colours 🪡😄

[@clarewalker5903]

I love this so much and, despite my making numerous errors in tiny beginner kits for Christmas cards, I've almost convinced myself that I would be able to do this. But I'd better get on with it - not sure I have sufficient years left! Thanks so much for sharing your process and skills. It's very relaxing.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Clare 😊 Doing a huge design is not necessarily much harder than a smaller one...it just takes longer! And actually, I think small errors can be harder to spot in a huge design; I definitely have a few places where I've got a stitch or two in the wrong colour or transposed two stitches next to each other...and I've just left it because you can't tell! So yes, just dive in and give it a go! There is also a variation in size of full coverage so you don't have to pick one that's super huge.

[@TheStitchyWitch]

Loved stitching along this evening. You make cross country so tempting I'm giving your method a go . 🎉😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 Oooh, that's fun that you're going to try my version of cross country AKA the 'short road trip' method 😂 I hope it works for you!

[@kimsopar6976]

Thanks for filming this one for us & I hope you've enjoyed your holiday. I also stitch in hand and was working on a HAED while watching you. I have one full coverage on 20 count with 1 strand and I really didn't like the 1 strand so have a couple of others now on 18 count with 2 strands. I also prefer full cross over half so I think I've found my sweet spot.The coverage is good and it's much easier to start. I'm also over 50 now & far sighted so the 18 count is a little easier than 5 to see.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you and it's fun to know you were working on your full coverage too 😄 2 strands on 18 count sounds like a great option...and one I might switch to in future as I can already tell my eyes are becoming less good at close work 😬

[@solveigfrank]

Perfect timing

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, thank you and so glad we could stitch together 😄🪡🩷

[@musketeersplus2]

I love listening to you and watching you stitch while I do too! PK pro-tip - rather than having to scroll to find the colour you've highlighted, look just left of the very top of the floss list. The symbol, colour number & even a little bar of colour are there to tell you what you need (including the number of stitches in that colour!).

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment and PK pro tip! I had obviously never spotted that and it's very handy so thank you 🙏😄

[@JoanneFry-hd7ni]

Thank you for making this video! I always learn so much when i watch you stitch! 💖💖

[@catkinandlillie]

You're so very welcome Joanne 😊🩷

[@hezvandermeij]

I have found a pin-stitch start & end that has been a massive win and secure for me even for confetty-stitches and I am so happy. And ooo funny, I tend to start with the fill-in / less stiches of the same in that area and then go back and do the big patches of same colour haha

[@catkinandlillie]

Oooh, I do enjoy hearing how others stitch, and so funny that we do basically the opposite! I have never quite got to grips with pin stitch but keep meaning to try it some more.

[@hezvandermeij]

@@catkinandlillie I really enjoy these types of videos as I can see how others stitch as well. And I would really recommend Ford, from SonOfAStitch (but he mainly resides on the Catapilar Crossstich channel now). He has the best tutorials for pin stitches, and from there I managed to modify the pin-stitch start into a way I liked better

[@piratedash]

This is such a good video. I've never seen a stitch with me before, but it was so calming, and eventually I picked up my own WIP and worked with you. It was really nice

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, thanks so much 😊 That's made me very happy to read that you enjoyed this and stitched along with me 😄 I am hoping to put more of these videos on regularly, alongside the tutorials and flosstube updates so I hope you'll enjoy that 🪡😊

[@Cali_Jeni]

This was such fun and I’m thrilled you chose Chromatic Dragon for the stitch! Enjoy your time in Iceland! 😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Jeni! I knew the dragon would be a popular choice 😄 Iceland is incredible!!! Looking forward to sharing all about it 😄

[@Cali_Jeni]

@@catkinandlillie And you were right!! Looking forward to the share!! 😊

[@kathyshahin402]

Another lovely stitch a long! I was working on my night rider by love Poppet, working the last part. Absolutely love the chromatic dragon, so wish I had the patience to do one that big! Looking forward to your return. We had the northern lights here in south central Pennsylvania, but didn't get out to see the best of it, only saw some purple sky.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Kathy 😊 I enjoy having one really long running project alongside quicker ones. The LP night rider design is looking fabulous! It's lovely to hear you at least had a little taste of Northern Lights 😄

[@hannaahlstrom9703]

I hope you are having a wonderful time in Iceland. I enjoyed watching your video. As a beginner it is interesting when you talk about your stitching and reasoning behind why you do what you do. The chromatic dragon is stunning and maybe one day I will do a full coverage piece but I am not there yet.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Hannah 😊 Iceland was incredible...pics and chat coming soon! It's really nice to hear that my videos are helpful. Full coverage can be quite daunting but some them are not too huge!

[@katherinecleary425]

This video was such a great treat to come back from a midterm to! Last week the northern lights made it all the way down south to New England for a few minutes, they were absolutely spectacular and I dearly hope you got to see them as well. I also stitch in hand, so I’m not mystified by that, but given my current experiences with full coverage I’m astounded you can handle that many colors without gridding! I had a major enough snafu with my last attempt that I’m considering abandoning the whole piece (ironically enough, actually meant to be the northern lights), and that was only 23 colors.

[@catkinandlillie]

Yay! So nice to hear you enjoyed this and wow, amazing that you got to see the Northern Lights!! We did indeed see them in Iceland too 😄 I think the reason I can get away without gridding my fabric is that I really don't go too far cross country with my stitches and I constantly check placement of stitches against other stitches in multiple directions/locations. Not gonna say the frog never visits but so far not for long... touch wood🪵 I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with your Northern Lights piece...I hope you can fix it 🤞🩷

[@silviacastro3721]

wow! i loooooove your project. Soooooooooooooooooo colorful...

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊 I love the colours too!

[@sarahmills1477]

Such a treat! Thanks for posting this

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, you're so welcome Sarah 😊

[@lynnerivers647]

Love watching you stitch. I stitch in hand also.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much Lynne 😊

[@cathie5839]

Thank you so much this was really enjoyable x

[@catkinandlillie]

You're so very welcome Cathie 😊🩷

[@stitchydutchy2054]

Loved this SWM. It's in between a tutorial and thinking out loud. I could never understand how anyone can stitch in hand on 25 count. Thank you for sharing🪡🇳🇱🌷

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you, and that's such a great way to describe the video! 😊 I'm delighted you enjoyed it and I'll be doing more soon!

[@SaraBStitchy]

Fun video to watch- thank you! I am looking for the floss drops you use and cant find them anywhere that have the labels. Can you share where you got them?

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Sara 😊 I bought the floss drops and labels separately. Annie's Keepers floss drops (scroll through to find them at end of storage section): www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk/storage-446-c.asp Sirous Stitches DMC floss drop labels: www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1198357598/dmc-thread-drop-labels-organize-your?

[@martinaschur7448]

I have my floss the same way....Annies Keepers and a ring. But when I stitch in hand I do the sewing method.

[@catkinandlillie]

I love Annie's Keepers!! I don't know if you saw my video on the sewing method...I just cannot get my stitches as neat with it so I'm in awe of anyone who does it!

[@loriclarke2931]

I love this chart. It’s still in the cart for me. Lol

[@catkinandlillie]

It's just waiting for the right moment! My wish list is sooooooo long and I'll never buy/stitch all of it 😂

[@HeatherMarieLP]

I love watching your Chromatic Dragon come to life. Very lovely colors. I also think you’re very brave not to use gridded fabric or draw on some grid lines for yourself on the fabric on such a large project. I would be lost 😂

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 The pretty colours are definitely important to me in keeping my interest for a long running project. I know it's quite unusual not to grid a large project but I just find I'm ok without...I think because I don't ever go too far cross country with my stitching as that could be very error prone without a grid to check against.

[@karenkiss2614]

I like the idea of using a tablet for big projects. What one do you use and how do you get the project your making on to it please. Thank you posting it’s looking beautiful, so calming watching you stitch. X

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Karen and so glad you enjoyed watching me stitch 😊 My tablet is a Galaxy Tab A which I bought quite a few years ago. I use Pattern Keeper app (it's free) and to use patterns in that app they need to have a PDF that is compatible for use in PK, which all HAED and Paine Free Crafts patterns are. Lots of others are also compatible. It's not possible to load paper patterns or incompatible PDF charts to it, so it doesn't work for everything. I only use it for this dragon pattern at the moment, and everything else I'm stitching is from a paper pattern. There is another app called Markup RXP which you can load a larger variety of patterns including paper patterns if you take a picture of them. But I found it annoying to use, didn't work great all the time and I gave up on it. It's also a paid app. Hope that helps xx

[@karenkiss2614]

@@catkinandlillie thank you Kat. X

[@soniak2865]

where did you buy the floss holders with stickers? I also stitch in-hand and about to start my first full-coverage on 25count, I think i'll do 1 over 1 full cross as well. I was told 2 over 1 but you said it was too 'heavy'. we have a similar style/method of stitching. Enjoy Iceland, we went this summer and had sun every day!

[@catkinandlillie]

Oooh, how exciting that you are going to start your first full coverage! I find it a very different experience to non full coverage but I love it! Iceland is amazing...a little rain but to be expected when we are here for 2 weeks I guess. Fabulous scenery 😍 The floss drops I use are called Annie's Keepers and I buy mine from Lakeside Needlecraft. The stickers are separate, bought from here www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1198357598/dmc-thread-drop-labels-organize-your

[@dianemiller7994]

For me, this is a midsize project. My big ones are twice this size. Have you ever tried holding one that size? Hand fatigue is a big issue. Not the stitching hand. The one that holds the fabric, and the big projects get really heavy. I’d love suggestions for dealing with those issues. Thanks for sharing your stitching techniques.

[@catkinandlillie]

Hi Diane! I guess size is all relative to what you tend to stitch. But I think at just over 200,000 stitches most stitchers would count this as big! But of course there are much bigger ones, and my previous one was indeed very nearly twice this size at 375,000 stitches. I stitched it exactly the same as the dragon, holding it exactly as I did with the dragon one on the video. I find with the rolling that it doesn't cause any stress or fatigue to my hands...but maybe if I went even bigger it could?! I think this might be because I rest it on my lap so that takes a lot of the weight of the fabric. Other than that I am not sure I have any suggestions. I'll try to take note of anything I'm doing next time I work on it in case I think of anything else that might be useful to share 😄

[@mrsironted]

I am 4 months into my 300,000plus cross stitch which you gave me the confidence to start. I watched your video on starting a big cross stitch and recommended starting in the bottom right corner but you have started in the top left this time. Is there a particular reason for this or did it just take your fancy? I also stitch in hand which is why i have enjoyed watching your technique. Thank you

[@catkinandlillie]

Oh, that's so awesome to hear that you have started your first huge cross stitch! That is a really good question regarding the starting point and yes, there was a particular reason. You are absoluitely right that I prefer a bottom right start, but if I did that for this dragon piece I would have all the dark colour at the top to stitch last...and I really didn't want that! So, I went with my second favourite start point of top left. I also don't mind quite as much which of those 2 options I do for full coverage, probably because I stitch with 1 strand so I don't find it makes much difference to the neatness of my stitches, whereas for any non-full coverage I really would rather go with bottom right.

[@solarwinds-]

Love your videos Kat, but was especially pleased that this one is a SWM & with talking. I love those. I know they are probably one of the most difficult vids for you KZbinrs to make but I hope you can do these on a regular basis. BTW, who is Lilly? Is that your daughter, mum?

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I am going to add SWM videos to my regular rotation because they do seem to be a big hit! Funnily enough they are actually slightly easier to make than regular flosstubes! So, that's a win win 😄 There is no Lillie! I slightly wish I hadn't used it now because it is confusing, but it's actually referencing Lily of the Valley which is the flower for my birth month of May, just spelt differently 😂

[@cherylrichards8951]

Do you wash your fabric before stitching, iron before stitching, or start with the fabric as is? Why I'm asking is because your fabric drapes beautifully over your lap.

[@catkinandlillie]

I generally don't do any washing or ironing of my fabric before I stitch on it. This particular fabric is Zweigart evenweave and that is usually much softer than Aida so it does tend to drape nicely, and I much prefer that for stitching in hand. I have considered pre-washing Aida to soften it a bit, but have never actually done it.

[@bernadetteshinn2660]

What is this software please. I’m still on paper and highlighter but think I may need it going forward xx

[@catkinandlillie]

I use an app called Pattern Keeper for this project. It's only available on Android devices and not on Apple. I love it for full coverage, but only use it for that and use paper patterns for everything else!

[@bernadetteshinn2660]

​@@catkinandlillieThank you, I'll look it up x

[@kettle2293]

I never knew you could zoom in so close on a youtube video before. How many rows is too far before you tie off?

[@catkinandlillie]

Ha ha...I do like to get on close so you can really see what I'm doing! How far I'll take a thread does vary a little bit but I definitely don't like to work a thread too far from the main body of stitching, maybe 1-2cm?

[@beverleygardam151]

You certainty have slot of patience.this dragon will look amazing when it is finished .

[@catkinandlillie]

Patience definitely required for this one...although I could be finishing it a lot quicker if I didn't have so many other WIPs 😂 I love seeing it slowly grow though and the beautiful colours hold my interest 😄