loop starts on needlepoint

Well, Santa's little helper has finally started making Xmas gifts for the
kiddies. I'm making a little Oriental carpet for my grand-niece's doll house
(not the Dec. Piecework one - gorgeous, but if I'm going to spend $150-$200C on
materials, I'll keep it for myself, thanks). Any reason why a loop start
wouldn't work on needlepoint canvas? I'm trying to keep the back as clean as
possible.

Dora
Whose cats are being very disruptive. Don't they know it's only 4 weeks until
Xmas?!!! Arrgh!!!

I'm using 2 strands of DMC Medici on 18 count canvas. One strand wasn't enough
for coverage. I know technically it's possible. I am more concerned that the
loop start may not be strong enough for wear and tear on needlepoint - dolls
partake in a lot of traffic, you know, as well as the effect of wool rubbing on
canvas.

Dora
btw Fuschias will root in water, won't they?

animaux

It can work if you are using 6 ply yarn. If you are using one ply yarn, it
will
not work, as for needlepoint you would only usually be using one strand. Did
I
explain that? For example, Appleton has their yarn in both 6 ply strands,
and
one ply strands (but the one ply is equal in bulk to the 6 ply). One is for
embroidery, other for canvas work. I've used both. The former to mix colors
for certain designs.

V


On 28 Nov 2003 02:10:22 GMT, ospam (Bungadora) opined:

Well, Santa's little helper has finally started making Xmas gifts for the
kiddies. I'm making a little Oriental carpet for my grand-niece's doll house
(not the Dec. Piecework one - gorgeous, but if I'm going to spend $150-$200C
on
materials, I'll keep it for myself, thanks). Any reason why a loop start
wouldn't work on needlepoint canvas? I'm trying to keep the back as clean as
possible.

Dora
Whose cats are being very disruptive. Don't they know it's only 4 weeks
until
Xmas?!!! Arrgh!!!

It will work fine as long as you are using 2,4, or 6 strands of
a fiber -- if you are using 1, 3 or 5 you won't be able to do
a loop start. What kind of canvas and fiber are you using?

On Thu, 28 Nov 2003, Bungadora wrote:

Well, Santa's little helper has finally started making Xmas gifts for the
kiddies. I'm making a little Oriental carpet for my grand-niece's doll house
(not the Dec. Piecework one - gorgeous, but if I'm going to spend $150-$200C on
materials, I'll keep it for myself, thanks). Any reason why a loop start
wouldn't work on needlepoint canvas? I'm trying to keep the back as clean as
possible.

Dora
Whose cats are being very disruptive. Don't they know it's only 4 weeks until
Xmas?!!! Arrgh!!!


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Katherine Becker "As god is my witness
I thought turkeys could fly"
NEVER SEND A FERRET TO DO A WEASEL's JOB --WKRP

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I sell Appleton. There is crewel and tapestry weight. Neither of which
are divisible. Crewel is two-ply. For canvas, you'd use one or more
strands depending upon the coverage and count of the canvas. If you're
using one or two strands, you could loop start.

Tapestry is a six-ply (I believe, I'm not going to go look). But you
don't divide them. You'd use one strand. It's thick and would be used
on larger count canvases. Yes, you could loop start.

All this, of course, if my wholesaler isn't hiding some "type" of
Appleton of which I'm not familiar. Also, IF by loop start you mean
start at a center location and use both ends of the thread/yarn. Kogin
embroidery is done in this manner.

Dianne

animaux wrote:
It can work if you are using 6 ply yarn. If you are using one ply yarn, it will
not work, as for needlepoint you would only usually be using one strand. Did I
explain that? For example, Appleton has their yarn in both 6 ply strands, and
one ply strands (but the one ply is equal in bulk to the 6 ply). One is for
embroidery, other for canvas work. I've used both. The former to mix colors
for certain designs.

V


On 28 Nov 2003 02:10:22 GMT, ospam (Bungadora) opined:


Well, Santa's little helper has finally started making Xmas gifts for the
kiddies. I'm making a little Oriental carpet for my grand-niece's doll house
(not the Dec. Piecework one - gorgeous, but if I'm going to spend $150-$200C on
materials, I'll keep it for myself, thanks). Any reason why a loop start
wouldn't work on needlepoint canvas? I'm trying to keep the back as clean as
possible.

Dora
Whose cats are being very disruptive. Don't they know it's only 4 weeks until
Xmas?!!! Arrgh!!!

Sorry, my earlier reply wasn't clear. What I meant was, if you want two
strands of thickness, you can do a loop start. You'll use one strand,
doubled. Similaraly, if you want four strands, you'll use two strands,
doubled. But if you want one strand of thickness, I don't think you
can use a loop start.

On Thu, 28 Nov 2003, Bungadora wrote:

Well, Santa's little helper has finally started making Xmas gifts for the
kiddies. I'm making a little Oriental carpet for my grand-niece's doll house
(not the Dec. Piecework one - gorgeous, but if I'm going to spend $150-$200C on
materials, I'll keep it for myself, thanks). Any reason why a loop start
wouldn't work on needlepoint canvas? I'm trying to keep the back as clean as
possible.

Dora
Whose cats are being very disruptive. Don't they know it's only 4 weeks until
Xmas?!!! Arrgh!!!


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Katherine Becker "As god is my witness
I thought turkeys could fly"
NEVER SEND A FERRET TO DO A WEASEL's JOB --WKRP

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Dianne Lewandowski
(snip)
Also, IF by loop start you mean
start at a center location and use both ends of the thread/yarn. Kogin
embroidery is done in this manner.

Yes, I mean folding the thread and securing the thread with the loop. I'm using
2 plys, so no problem there. I just have to fold one thread in half. (In case
my second post isn't showing to those not on aol) I should have said "reasons
why a loop start shouldn't be used" , not "couldn't be used".

If the rug wears poorly, it will at least give the dolls an air of faded
gentility.
I've already half finished the centre medallion on the rug, so it is going
well. I plan to fold the edges and stitch over the double thickness to hide the
canvas. Do you think three rows of double thickness will be enough? Then I'll
do a corded edge stitch to cover canvas on the sides, and fringe the ends.

Meanwhile Santa's workshop is a mess, and I'm obliged to work at other jobs
today. Thanks to those who have replied.
Dora


animaux wrote:
It can work if you are using 6 ply yarn. If you are using one ply yarn, it
will
not work, as for needlepoint you would only usually be using one strand.
Did I
explain that? For example, Appleton has their yarn in both 6 ply strands,
and
one ply strands (but the one ply is equal in bulk to the 6 ply). One is
for
embroidery, other for canvas work. I've used both. The former to mix
colors
for certain designs.

V


On 28 Nov 2003 02:10:22 GMT, ospam (Bungadora) opined:


Well, Santa's little helper has finally started making Xmas gifts for the
kiddies. I'm making a little Oriental carpet for my grand-niece's doll
house
(not the Dec. Piecework one - gorgeous, but if I'm going to spend
$150-$200C on
materials, I'll keep it for myself, thanks). Any reason why a loop start
wouldn't work on needlepoint canvas? I'm trying to keep the back as clean
as
possible.

Dora
Whose cats are being very disruptive. Don't they know it's only 4 weeks
until
Xmas?!!! Arrgh!!!

I should have said "reasons
why a loop start shouldn't be used" , not "couldn't be used". BRBR

O.K., here's a reason the loop start *might* not be the best method of starting
your thread when you're doing needlepoint -- by which I take it you mean
half-cross or one of it's lookalikes. When you (or at least when I) use a loop
start, the loop can sometimes pull through and show up on the top of the work.
Also, the first stitch with a loop start always comes out just a bit different
looking than subsequent stitches. This doesn't matter to me in cross stitch as
the top stitch hides any irregularities in the starting stitch, but it can be
obvious to the finicky eye in halfcross/tent work.

Do you think three rows of double thickness will be enough? BRBR

This should be more than enough. In fact, if you are pressed for time when you
get to the finishing, you could do just two rows and still have a very secure
finish.

What a wonderful gift for your grand-niece!

Annie

(FKBABB)

O.K., here's a reason the loop start *might* not be the best method of
startingyour thread when you're doing needlepoint -- by which I take it you
meanhalf-cross or one of it's lookalikes. When you (or at least when I) use
a loopstart, the loop can sometimes pull through and show up on the top of
the work. Also, the first stitch with a loop start always comes out just a
bit differentlooking than subsequent stitches. This doesn't matter to me in
cross stitch asthe top stitch hides any irregularities in the starting
stitch, but it can beobvious to the finicky eye in halfcross/tent work.

I doubt if it will be handled by anyone that finicky, so I should be OK.

Do
you think three rows of double thickness will be enough?


This should be more than enough. In fact, if you are pressed for time when
youget to the finishing, you could do just two rows and still have a very
securefinish.What a wonderful gift for your grand-niece!Annie


Many thanks for the reassurance. I must admit I like making things for the
girls more than the boys. Boys don't lend themselves quite as well to
needlepointed gifts. They are getting toques, which are not quite as much fun
for me!

On 11/28/03 1:06 PM,"FKBABB" posted:

I should have said "reasons
why a loop start shouldn't be used" , not "couldn't be used". BRBR

O.K., here's a reason the loop start *might* not be the best method of
starting
your thread when you're doing needlepoint -- by which I take it you mean
half-cross or one of it's lookalikes. When you (or at least when I) use a
loop
start, the loop can sometimes pull through and show up on the top of the work.
Also, the first stitch with a loop start always comes out just a bit different
looking than subsequent stitches. This doesn't matter to me in cross stitch
as
the top stitch hides any irregularities in the starting stitch, but it can be
obvious to the finicky eye in halfcross/tent work.

Jumping in here. Loop starting with tapestry wool - the wool has a definite
directional grain. If you use it doubled, the alternating direction will be
visible.

Alternative, especially if you're doing some form of tent (continental or
basketweave) if use a waste knot (about 2 needle lengths), and come up, and
then go over the horizontal thread just above where you came up. Then you
can actually pull this thread tight - it will slip under the upper vertical
running thread, and be hidden. Go back and stitch your normal diagonal
stitch, starting in the same place. It'll cover your hidden locking stitch,
and the yarn is secure.

You can check out the NP resources section of the ANG website for a lot of
information about stitching NP (there are articles written by designers,
etc.. The main web-page is:
http://www.needlepoint.org/


Have fun stitching!

ellice

Ellice

I should have said "reasons
why a loop start shouldn't be used" , not "couldn't be used".

Loop starting with tapestry wool - the wool has a
definitedirectional grain. If you use it doubled, the alternating direction
will bevisible.Alternative, especially if you're doing some form of tent
(continental orbasketweave) if use a waste knot (about 2 needle lengths), and
come up, andthen go over the horizontal thread just above where you came up.
Then youcan actually pull this thread tight - it will slip under the upper
verticalrunning thread, and be hidden. Go back and stitch your normal
diagonalstitch, starting in the same place. It'll cover your hidden locking
stitch,and the yarn is secure.You can check out the NP resources section of
the ANG website for a lot ofinformation about stitching NP (there are
articles written by designers,etc.. The main web-page
is:http://www.needlepoint.org/Have fun stitching!ellice

I never thought of that. I've been doing cross stitch with cotton thread for so
long I forgot about nap. Thanks for the web site too. It's now bookmarked and I
will explore it over the next few days.

Dora