Initially, I could not wrap my mind around your concept. However, I was drawn to watch your video numerous times, gaining more insight each time. I found that I detested having to go back a fill in holes, producing uneven stitches and an extremely messy back. I have not cross stitched in 30 years and decided to do a small full coverage project. After adopting your method I’m loving the project.. I love completing a row in it’s entirety! Not to mention the back is so much neater. Thank you for sharing and for your time in putting together the video. 💕
Opened my eyes to so much. Have been cross-stitching for years, but had no idea about parking or cross country. Thank you so much for this tutorial. It will change my whole routine and make my stitching so much more enjoyable. Never too old to learn. People like you who take the time to share your knowledge help people like me who have no other way of finding this out. I appreciate you very much. God bless you and your gift.
Thank you for this! I’m just about ready to try my first HAED. I’ve been stitching for many many years but never full coverage to this extent. I’ve watched other videos on parking and it just didn’t make sense to me, how it keeps the back clean enough, but your method looks perfect! I can’t wait to try it!
Love this video, I have been looking for a parking method that makes sense to me and so far this one seems to be the best. Only thing is I am working from the bottom up on my project, so I need to get my head around how that will work, but I can’t wait to give it a go! Thank you for a great video 😀
I am working on my first full coverage. I am using parking but always stitched left to right. Never thought about the stitches from the right to left. I will try that technique. Makes good sense. Thanks for sharing.
I wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. I've watched others and tried parking several times and it just didn't work for me. Your method of working off the colors from the right made perfect sense to me! Now I can get to all those full coverage pieces!
Thank you so much for this video. I am preparing for my 1st HAED design and I find you videos very helpful. This one is very detailed and shows the parking process step by step. I have been cross stitching for a while, but never tried the parking method.
Thanks so much for sharing your parking method! I've been wanting to try this out for the longest time for my HAED. I like to draw ideas from everyone to find what will work best for me. I'll definitely be using some of your ideas!!
Wow... Because of arthritis, I haven't cross-stitched in about 20 years, but your tutorial reminded me of what I used to love -- and hate -- about cross-stitching! I'm not sure I see what advantage there is to the "park" method -- it seems to require an excessive amount of needle-threading (which was always my most-hated part!). You also seem to work with the idea that it's wrong/bad to skip spots on a line and fill them in later, but I'd always done that and never had a problem with it looking bad or obvious in any way... My only other comment is to the pattern designer (not you!): it used to drive me nuts to have a single stitch placed within a field of almost-imperceptibly-different-colored stitches! If I saw that, I'd curse the pattern designer and replace the stitch with the surrounding color thread! (Obviously, you can't do that if the color is different -- say, red among a field of green -- but if you have 8 slightly-different shades of green, NOBODY will notice or miss that orphan stitch!) Damned arthritis... I really do miss my cross-stitching! **cries**
I only stitch this way on full coverage pieces, the idea behind this kind of pattern is that it looks like pixels, like an image with a low resolution. Every colour counts, every stitch counts and I love how they come out. Stitching is all about finding the way you enjoy to stitch, this is just one of the way I stitch and I was asked to share my idea and thought behind it, how I use this specific technique. It's not bad/wrong to skip a stitch, when I don't stitch full coverage pieces I usually stitch by color and then fill out the wholes as I go. But the idea behind this technique is that you don't have any holes to fill in. I wouldn't use this technique on non full coverage tho as I wouldn't want to have threads going on the backside, but these designs get such a dense fabric from the stitches so you won't see it anyway :)
Thank you for your very clear explanation about parking! I love to see it grow. I am going to try this: it will stop me from choosing the next color to stitch ;)
Your instructions were great. I started parking on my first HAED just at Christmas this last year. I have watched several tutorials, but they did not show the actually progression as well as you. I especially liked your explaination of work from the right to left side of that individual 10 x 10 area, but overall you work the pattern in collums from left to right. I, unfortunately, have a tighter tension, that I can see lines vertically at times. So, I am guessing that I would feather out slightly, as compared to what you do with the abrupt box end. I want to attempt to use more your method line by line, as I have been parking, but sewing a bit cross country within that box to keep that symbol going. I also have been completing stitches in a full x, but working in a back and forth method. I like how you try to end in a similar place as you started. The long traveling distance is otherwise ackward for me. I love to use the loop start method, and try to do all my work from the front with the larger projects so the waste ends also work well when finishing for me. Thanks again for the wonderful video. I have subscribed, and am not excited to watch the rest of your videos!
I just started my first HAED. After failing on 25 ct I restarted on 20ct, which works fine as country cross. I still have the fabric of 25 ct and finally I found a good video for parking method. I don't believe, I'll be able to stitch 25 ct otherwise. I don't see where to go with the needle, when there are little holes left. Any ideas on this matter? Do you use a magnifying glass? I don't have bad eyes but from this far away, where the camera is, I wouldn't be able to find the right hole.
Hi! I know many people that use magnifying glasses, so glasses that sit on your head that works great. I myself don’t yet, I partly stitch on feeling tho :)
Great tutorial thank you very much. Just wondered if you had any advice for multiple strands per stitch. I am doing a dimensions kit that can have 6 strands in a stitch, would the parking method become too difficult on these?
New to stitching here! 🙋🏾♀️ thanks for this vid. I just had a question. I noticed you would stitch one symbol and then park it even if the same symbol is in the very next row. I was thinking I'd continue with that symbol all the way through to the end of the 2 squares and then park it. Is it okay to do that or am I missing something? Thanks for the reply!
The nice thing with this is that is all upp to you! I do go down to next row Incase that row have been filled up from the right side. I also have chosen to go with 20-30 stitch columns as that fits best on my iPad, while I know many people do the full page :)
Hi your video is very good but I am abit confused I am doing 3x1 tent stitch so I can,t stitch to any particular corner as every other row is different one row is ////from bottom to top and next row is top to bottom it's a continental sts but this way it keeps your work taught, and nice and straight have you any advise which way to park please I hope you can understand me. Thankyou. Diane.
I'm confused as to why you would "park" and not just do all of the stitches of the same color? What am I missing? Sorry...I just want to understand all this before I take on my first project. :)
When I did all the stitches of the same color I missed stitches and also I need to "walk" around the page multiple times. When I do parking I stay at the same place on the pattern. It goes faster for me and that is why I use this technique. But everyone have their own way of stitching. If you want to try parking or not is up to you. There are many people that swear by cross country (doing one color at a time). I've done it for years but I'm more comfortable with this on full coverage projects :)
@craftybit Thank you! I think I prefer the "parking" method. I've tried "cross country" and ended up putting the project down due to the fact that it drove me insane!
Great video. Have watched twice and I still did not understand how you looped your thread in the back to anchor your thread. Very pleasant voice you have. I know this was three years ago almost to the day, so hope you get this message because wanted you to know that you did a great job. Is the ornament completed? Have a good day. Sissy
Are you stitching 2 over 1 on this fabric? And it’s 25 count? Do you find 2 threads makes the cross too thick? I will be starting a large pattern on 25 count, but keep seeing that 1 thread is best...although, if I only use 1 thread, I will definitely miss the loop start method!
I'm stitching 2 over 1 on 25ct, I like the thickness and the cover I get, also for some reason I don't like stitching with one thread. I've personally stopped using the loop method as I found that the stitches are much more even if I make sure that the threads on my needle is from the same direction on the bobbin. :)
I am starting my first HAED design. I have the Tiger. How do you know where to start on your fabric? I purchased the easy grid fabric as this is my first large design. I want the boarder around my design, how do you go about doing that?
I made sure that my fabric was 6" bigger on the height and the width than the design size. Then i measured in 3" from the top and 3" from the left. I always start stitching in the upper left corner of page 1 on my heads. :) I think I talk a bit more indepth about it in my previous videos in this series :)
The parked threads are always parked in the lower left corner of the stitch, so then I just have to look at the corresponding box on the chart to see what color it is :)
Great tutorial! So excited to start a new project and give this a try! (Like I need any excuse at all to start something new. LOL!) Your voice is a delight to listen to. :) Are you using an app on your tablet to mark the stitches you've completed off?
Good tutorial. Best one I've seen. By the way, what kind of "hoop" are you using to hold your aida fabric? I've never seen that one before. Looks cool and comfortable.
Love your tutorial, you make it very easy to understand parking. How do you get patterns on a tablet? Is it just software or for only certain pattern companies? I've been stitching for 40 years, only this week thought to look online for new things and I'm way behind the times!!
Thanks! For all patterns I can get as pdfs I use the Good Reader app on my iPad. As I'm an avid Apple product user I use the iCloud for storage and then import the files into the Good Reader app from my iCloud folder. I know how you feel I started stitching again 2004 and it wasn't until about 10 years later I found this big world of internet based companies that makes wonderful patterns and how I could use my technology to help me with my stitching :)
Hello dear, excellent work :) When you fastened your thread and you put the rest of it back on the paper, then you had 2 open ends. So when you will need to use that color again, then it's not ready for use, you have to split and create the loop again, correct? Isn't that a bit more time consuming ? And where do you temporarily store this left-over thread needles? Not on a the piece of paper that you used for the needs of the video i guess :) Thanks for sharing :)
+Rania Papadopoulou hi! Thank you :) I would use the thread as it is and fasten it the same way that I've finished it off. I only use the loop method for when I either start on a new project or a new thread :) Also don't usually have threaded needles like this, have a cat that would be so happy if I do. I usually just retread the same needle over and over again :) the leftover thread I just wind back upon my bobbin until I need it again :) You can find the rest of my process in the rest of the video series How to stitch a haed, everything is the same except for me now parking instead of stitching cross country :)
I would try this except keep needles on the threads and use a pin cushion to steady the needles and threads to prevent tangling because omg the time wasted threading needles....
I have found that personally for me I can keep the needles on if the numbers of colors I’m using is less than 10. Any more threads and they just get tangled. And I do keep the needles on for that because yeah threading needles takes time :)
hello: : I'm from Spain and sorry but I almost do not know English, I write to you with the help of the google translator, I really like your videos, I would like to know if the program you have on the tablet is free or you have to buy and what is it? Thank you.
I connected my ipad to itunes, went into apps and at the bottom of the apps screen there is a possibility to add files :) I also hear d you can use dropbox for your files :)
Hmmmm . . . the worst part of stitching for me is threading the needle and you spend as much time threading the needle a you spend doing actual stitching.
Initially, I could not wrap my mind around your concept. However, I was drawn to watch your video numerous times, gaining more insight each time. I found that I detested having to go back a fill in holes, producing uneven stitches and an extremely messy back. I have not cross stitched in 30 years and decided to do a small full coverage project. After adopting your method I’m loving the project.. I love completing a row in it’s entirety! Not to mention the back is so much neater. Thank you for sharing and for your time in putting together the video. 💕
Opened my eyes to so much. Have been cross-stitching for years, but had no idea about parking or cross country. Thank you so much for this tutorial. It will change my whole routine and make my stitching so much more enjoyable. Never too old to learn. People like you who take the time to share your knowledge help people like me who have no other way of finding this out. I appreciate you very much. God bless you and your gift.
God bless you! Thank you for your sweet words and taking the time to comment, it really warms my heart!
Thank you for this! I’m just about ready to try my first HAED. I’ve been stitching for many many years but never full coverage to this extent. I’ve watched other videos on parking and it just didn’t make sense to me, how it keeps the back clean enough, but your method looks perfect! I can’t wait to try it!
Best explanation for parking! I've been looking at so many videos where people make it confusing, but it isn't. Thank you!
Best one to explain parking method from beginning to end ,looks so neat
Love this video, I have been looking for a parking method that makes sense to me and so far this one seems to be the best. Only thing is I am working from the bottom up on my project, so I need to get my head around how that will work, but I can’t wait to give it a go!
Thank you for a great video 😀
I am working on my first full coverage. I am using parking but always stitched left to right. Never thought about the stitches from the right to left. I will try that technique. Makes good sense.
Thanks for sharing.
I wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. I've watched others and tried parking several times and it just didn't work for me. Your method of working off the colors from the right made perfect sense to me! Now I can get to all those full coverage pieces!
Thank you so much for this video. I am preparing for my 1st HAED design and I find you videos very helpful. This one is very detailed and shows the parking process step by step. I have been cross stitching for a while, but never tried the parking method.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for sharing your parking method! I've been wanting to try this out for the longest time for my HAED. I like to draw ideas from everyone to find what will work best for me. I'll definitely be using some of your ideas!!
I am impressed with your instructions and video skill. So easy to understand parking now. Thank you.
Great tutorial. Never understood how people do this, but now I do. Happy stitching :)
Wow... Because of arthritis, I haven't cross-stitched in about 20 years, but your tutorial reminded me of what I used to love -- and hate -- about cross-stitching! I'm not sure I see what advantage there is to the "park" method -- it seems to require an excessive amount of needle-threading (which was always my most-hated part!). You also seem to work with the idea that it's wrong/bad to skip spots on a line and fill them in later, but I'd always done that and never had a problem with it looking bad or obvious in any way... My only other comment is to the pattern designer (not you!): it used to drive me nuts to have a single stitch placed within a field of almost-imperceptibly-different-colored stitches! If I saw that, I'd curse the pattern designer and replace the stitch with the surrounding color thread! (Obviously, you can't do that if the color is different -- say, red among a field of green -- but if you have 8 slightly-different shades of green, NOBODY will notice or miss that orphan stitch!) Damned arthritis... I really do miss my cross-stitching! **cries**
I only stitch this way on full coverage pieces, the idea behind this kind of pattern is that it looks like pixels, like an image with a low resolution. Every colour counts, every stitch counts and I love how they come out.
Stitching is all about finding the way you enjoy to stitch, this is just one of the way I stitch and I was asked to share my idea and thought behind it, how I use this specific technique. It's not bad/wrong to skip a stitch, when I don't stitch full coverage pieces I usually stitch by color and then fill out the wholes as I go. But the idea behind this technique is that you don't have any holes to fill in. I wouldn't use this technique on non full coverage tho as I wouldn't want to have threads going on the backside, but these designs get such a dense fabric from the stitches so you won't see it anyway :)
@@craftybit 9
Thanks so much for posting this! I've been stitching HAED patterns for about a decade, was never able to master the concept of parking
Thank you for your very clear explanation about parking! I love to see it grow. I am going to try this: it will stop me from choosing the next color to stitch ;)
Your instructions were great. I started parking on my first HAED just at Christmas this last year. I have watched several tutorials, but they did not show the actually progression as well as you. I especially liked your explaination of work from the right to left side of that individual 10 x 10 area, but overall you work the pattern in collums from left to right. I, unfortunately, have a tighter tension, that I can see lines vertically at times. So, I am guessing that I would feather out slightly, as compared to what you do with the abrupt box end. I want to attempt to use more your method line by line, as I have been parking, but sewing a bit cross country within that box to keep that symbol going. I also have been completing stitches in a full x, but working in a back and forth method. I like how you try to end in a similar place as you started. The long traveling distance is otherwise ackward for me. I love to use the loop start method, and try to do all my work from the front with the larger projects so the waste ends also work well when finishing for me. Thanks again for the wonderful video. I have subscribed, and am not excited to watch the rest of your videos!
Your explanations are very very good. Great tutorial. please, could you say me what reader are you using in your Tablet? Thank you
Thank you. I truly appreciate your instruction. May I ask how large of a piece you can stitch on your frame? And what size is the frame?
I just started my first HAED. After failing on 25 ct I restarted on 20ct, which works fine as country cross. I still have the fabric of 25 ct and finally I found a good video for parking method. I don't believe, I'll be able to stitch 25 ct otherwise. I don't see where to go with the needle, when there are little holes left.
Any ideas on this matter? Do you use a magnifying glass? I don't have bad eyes but from this far away, where the camera is, I wouldn't be able to find the right hole.
Hi! I know many people that use magnifying glasses, so glasses that sit on your head that works great. I myself don’t yet, I partly stitch on feeling tho :)
I hope you will show us your completed ornament. I used to cross-stitch years ago.
Great tutorial thank you very much. Just wondered if you had any advice for multiple strands per stitch. I am doing a dimensions kit that can have 6 strands in a stitch, would the parking method become too difficult on these?
New to stitching here! 🙋🏾♀️ thanks for this vid. I just had a question. I noticed you would stitch one symbol and then park it even if the same symbol is in the very next row. I was thinking I'd continue with that symbol all the way through to the end of the 2 squares and then park it. Is it okay to do that or am I missing something? Thanks for the reply!
The nice thing with this is that is all upp to you! I do go down to next row Incase that row have been filled up from the right side. I also have chosen to go with 20-30 stitch columns as that fits best on my iPad, while I know many people do the full page :)
Hi your video is very good but I am abit confused I am doing 3x1 tent stitch so I can,t stitch to any particular corner as every other row is different one row is ////from bottom to top and next row is top to bottom it's a continental sts but this way it keeps your work taught, and nice and straight have you any advise which way to park please I hope you can understand me. Thankyou. Diane.
How did you get the pattern on your computer/tablet?
I'm confused as to why you would "park" and not just do all of the stitches of the same color? What am I missing? Sorry...I just want to understand all this before I take on my first project. :)
When I did all the stitches of the same color I missed stitches and also I need to "walk" around the page multiple times. When I do parking I stay at the same place on the pattern. It goes faster for me and that is why I use this technique. But everyone have their own way of stitching. If you want to try parking or not is up to you. There are many people that swear by cross country (doing one color at a time). I've done it for years but I'm more comfortable with this on full coverage projects :)
@craftybit Thank you! I think I prefer the "parking" method. I've tried "cross country" and ended up putting the project down due to the fact that it drove me insane!
Great video. Have watched twice and I still did not understand how you looped your thread in the back to anchor your thread. Very pleasant voice you have. I know this was three years ago almost to the day, so hope you get this message because wanted you to know that you did a great job. Is the ornament completed? Have a good day. Sissy
Thank you for your sweet comment :) I have finish stitching it but haven’t taken the time to put it together into an ornament. I should do that :)
Are you stitching 2 over 1 on this fabric? And it’s 25 count? Do you find 2 threads makes the cross too thick? I will be starting a large pattern on 25 count, but keep seeing that 1 thread is best...although, if I only use 1 thread, I will definitely miss the loop start method!
I'm stitching 2 over 1 on 25ct, I like the thickness and the cover I get, also for some reason I don't like stitching with one thread. I've personally stopped using the loop method as I found that the stitches are much more even if I make sure that the threads on my needle is from the same direction on the bobbin. :)
I am starting my first HAED design. I have the Tiger. How do you know where to start on your fabric? I purchased the easy grid fabric as this is my first large design. I want the boarder around my design, how do you go about doing that?
I made sure that my fabric was 6" bigger on the height and the width than the design size. Then i measured in 3" from the top and 3" from the left. I always start stitching in the upper left corner of page 1 on my heads. :) I think I talk a bit more indepth about it in my previous videos in this series :)
How do you know which color/symbol you're working with if you have many strings parked?
The parked threads are always parked in the lower left corner of the stitch, so then I just have to look at the corresponding box on the chart to see what color it is :)
Wish you had chosen a bigger size fabric but still great explanation thanks 😊
Great tutorial! So excited to start a new project and give this a try! (Like I need any excuse at all to start something new. LOL!) Your voice is a delight to listen to. :)
Are you using an app on your tablet to mark the stitches you've completed off?
Thanks! I use Good Reader to mark my stitches off :)
Thanks for showing us. Im learning alot
Thank you!
Thank you very much for a great tutorial! Can you tell me if the Good Reader app is the PDF Annotator and File Manager please?
The Good Reader app is a pdf reader.
Good tutorial. Best one I've seen. By the way, what kind of "hoop" are you using to hold your aida fabric? I've never seen that one before. Looks cool and comfortable.
Hi! Thanks! I use a Q-snap they come in many different sizes, my favourite one is the 8"x8" :)
I’m not computer literate and I have bought the app, but can I ask how do I get the download from my iPad and onto the good reader appPlease?
That depends on where on your ipad the file is, as there is loads of different ways.
Very helpful. I hadn't realized that you bring the thread up through the next spot before parking. What app do you use to view/mark the PDF?
Good Reader :)
Very clear and logical. Thanks!
Very informative thanks for sharing .
Can I ask what program you edit your colour chart in please cheers Lois
Hi Lois! I use Good Reader, really love how quick it responds and very seldom have issues with it crashing :)
Love your tutorial, you make it very easy to understand parking. How do you get patterns on a tablet? Is it just software or for only certain pattern companies? I've been stitching for 40 years, only this week thought to look online for new things and I'm way behind the times!!
Thanks! For all patterns I can get as pdfs I use the Good Reader app on my iPad. As I'm an avid Apple product user I use the iCloud for storage and then import the files into the Good Reader app from my iCloud folder. I know how you feel I started stitching again 2004 and it wasn't until about 10 years later I found this big world of internet based companies that makes wonderful patterns and how I could use my technology to help me with my stitching :)
Excellent tutorial thank you!
Hello dear, excellent work :) When you fastened your thread and you put the rest of it back on the paper, then you had 2 open ends. So when you will need to use that color again, then it's not ready for use, you have to split and create the loop again, correct? Isn't that a bit more time consuming ? And where do you temporarily store this left-over thread needles? Not on a the piece of paper that you used for the needs of the video i guess :) Thanks for sharing :)
+Rania Papadopoulou hi! Thank you :) I would use the thread as it is and fasten it the same way that I've finished it off. I only use the loop method for when I either start on a new project or a new thread :) Also don't usually have threaded needles like this, have a cat that would be so happy if I do. I usually just retread the same needle over and over again :) the leftover thread I just wind back upon my bobbin until I need it again :) You can find the rest of my process in the rest of the video series How to stitch a haed, everything is the same except for me now parking instead of stitching cross country :)
I would try this except keep needles on the threads and use a pin cushion to steady the needles and threads to prevent tangling because omg the time wasted threading needles....
I have found that personally for me I can keep the needles on if the numbers of colors I’m using is less than 10. Any more threads and they just get tangled. And I do keep the needles on for that because yeah threading needles takes time :)
I understand thanks for your explain I have question
what app pdf do you use
I use good reader for ios
hello: : I'm from Spain and sorry but I almost do not know English, I write to you with the help of the google translator, I really like your videos, I would like to know if the program you have on the tablet is free or you have to buy and what is it? Thank you.
Hi the app I use is called good reader and I think it is free :)
Thank you for this! How can we use our charts in PDFs as you do here?
Hi! I've bought my patterns as PDFs, when I buy kits that contain paper patterns I work from the paper.
I love that frame cover, where did you get it?
Thank you! I made it myself :)
amazing tutorial!
what app are you using for your patterns?
I use good reader :)
What fabric are you stitching on?
+Brandilyn Bingham I'm stitching on Zweigart 25 Count Lugana :)
Thanks I couldn't quite see. It looks like Aida to me
What PDF program do you use?
Tracy Crase I use Good Reader :)
HW DID U GET YOUR PATTERN ON YOUR IPAD?
I connected my ipad to itunes, went into apps and at the bottom of the apps screen there is a possibility to add files :) I also hear d you can use dropbox for your files :)
Very helpful
Very interesting ⚾️
Hmmmm . . . the worst part of stitching for me is threading the needle and you spend as much time threading the needle a you spend doing actual stitching.
Get a needle threader
Lol, a cat that steals needles...must be trying to make a point.
Brain freeze: what is HAED?
LOL lightbulb went on!
I had the same problem. When I first started watching these I didn't know what anyone was talking about with HAEDS and WIPS etc. Now I know. ha ha
wow. so long winded. I nearly lost the will to live. And I love cross stitch.
What app are you using on your ipad?
Good Reader :)