idk why other people's parking method videos confused me so much, but yours is the one i actually understood, thank you for sharing im new to cross stitch but im eyeing a few full coverage pieces i wanna work on and use the parking method on!!
You know what astounds me? You made this video a year and a ½ ago! Yet, so many have watched just a few months ago! Your instructions are so easy to follow and your demonstration of the technique is very precise. Thank you for taking the time to teach and encourage us stitchers! (By the way... I don't think that back matters either. It's my love of project and knowing that my work will be a keepsake for my family.) Great job Carolyn! Thank you.
I am new to flosstube, but I've been stitching for 30 years, so excuse my late comment on this video. Your explanation of parking made it click for me. Thank you! I came across it in a video a couple of days ago, but was not confident at all that I understood it, until I came across your video that is. I love the full coverage designs, but knew there had to be a quicker way, so one I get the complete hang of it I am sure it will be much faster. So once again, thank you for being such an excellent teacher!
I'm so amazed at how smooth all of these colors are blending and how beautiful your stitches are. I'd never do this difficult of a piece, it's too much of a headache for me (watch me say this and then start doing haeds in a couple of years...) It amazes me how you have the patience and the brain power to do something this complicated.
Thank you very much for this extremely helpful guide. I’d not thought about using the parking technique, but was fascinated to see how it works. I’ve decided it would be very worthwhile to try this. Thanks again.
I just started watching youtube videos on counted cross stitch last week. I've been a cross stitcher for almost 30 years but it never dawned on me to watch videos about it. I couldn't help but giggle to myself when I saw this parking technique. When I started cross stitching all those years ago I was self taught and didn't know what to do with my threads so I did something similar to what you are doing now but I had no idea that it was a thing and that the thing is called parking! You learn something new every day!!! I enjoy your videos, thank you!
This video has been a real blessing to me! I have cross stitched all my life but never really had any good techniques. After watching this video, I started a (for me) difficult project and it is coming along really well. I learned several tips from you, Carolyn, that have made me feel really comfortable with parking. Thank you so much for taking the time to record this video!
I have cross stitched for years and have made many mistakes. I had never know there was a different way to stitch until 2 weeks ago when I decide I had enough of flipping my project to finish a thread so was looking for a way to finish from above. saw videos on parking but it looked like chaos but was really interested to understand what it was as I had just bought to mega solid image projects. you video made it click for me and I am so excited to use this method as I often get lost and make mistakes since losing sight in my right eye. have even sent a link to my BF who is about to start her first cross stitch project as she is always asking for advice. Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video.
This is the first video I have seen that has actually made sense to me regarding parking. I actually feel pretty confident I could do this and stop gridding. Thank you!
LOVE the fact that you emphasize that each stitcher and their techniques are unique and individual and that there's no right or wrong way :) Thanks for sharing your technique with us! I've found that when I park, not only do I make less mistakes, but I'm definitely able to stitch faster :) Your back looks so nice and neat!!! :D Thanks for the video!
Carolyn I can't thank you enough for this tutorial. I have always been intimidated by HAEDs but you really make it look doable for me now. I am new to floss tube & am working through all your videos. I really hope at some point you will return with more. You are delightful & a blessing to the xstitch community. ❤
Carolyn, This is an excellent video on parking! This was super clear so that anybody who wants to learn this technique should be able to follow it. I've been doing it on a 10 x 10 grid like you do as well. I was glad to hear you say that you could stitch about 100 - 150 stitches per hour depending on the confetti. That's about the best I can do as well. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us! You're a terrific teacher!
I just started parking and really need to start marking my chart where I parked. I started working on my project and forgot what was parked cuz the colors were so similar, live and learn. It is going a little better now and I wish i had started doing this a long time ago. Thank you for sharing! ;)
Thank you so much for posting this video. I learned so much by watching this video. I will try the parking method now for my HAED design. Your help was a tremendous help!!! Thank you
I have crossed stitched for years, mostly small to medium project bought at the local craft store or walmart. I have always loved the bigger more intricate projects but have been intimidated by them. I always make a mistake in counting and either have to take out a lot of stitches or adjust. This is great! This would make it so much easier I might have to take the plunge and try a bigger pattern. I love the loop method also that seems so much easier and less messy! Thank you so much!
Started my first HAED yesterday and your parking technique is really easy! Thank you for this great video! I probably didn't dare to start a HAED without it!
Thank you for your great video. I learned how to park from you for the HAED parking challenge. I was only new to stitching and never heard of it so those challenges helped a lot. Your video was the easiest to follow and understand. I kept up parking since then and on all my new starts. I recommend your video to everyone who is trying to figure it out but can't. Thanks for taking the time to do it!
Carolyn, I want to thank you for your video on your parking technique. I've tried it, working on a project with confetti and it works well and I think it is faster also. Thanks again for taking your time to do a video and for sharing this technique. Your fellow stitcher xxxx Donna
+Donna Dorman So sorry for the extemely late response Donna.... Your comment is one of many that I didn't receive a notification for, so that's why I haven't responded until now. I find it has definitely sped up my stitching, so I'm glad to hear you feel the same way also. It was my absolute pleasure to do the video for my fellow stitchers :) Happy stitching :) x
Carolyn, I just started the HAED sal today and have started using your parking method. I am so glad you did this video as it was very easy to understand and follow. I am enjoying this technique. Thanks so much !!
I just discovered Floss Tube and Cross Stitch. I have needlepointed for years but wanted to "cross over" ;) and give counted cross stitch a try. This is my very first comment and I am not even sure what a "channel" is and how to create a photo in the box but I have adult children who can help me with it later. Anyway, I got overwhelmed with my first project and gridding. Your method looks PERFECT for me! And, parking seems to be a great option. If I didn't happen to see your videos, I would be somewhere with a ruler and pencil still trying to figure out how to grid!!! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH. And your needlework is just BEAUTIFUL!
This is the first parking tutorial I've watched that I can actually understand the process. Excited to try this on my current wip because of all of that antagonizing confetti! Thanks for the awesome tutorial :)
+Maddison Kearns My pleasure Maddison - I'm so glad you found the video helpful. My best advice is try it out on an area with as little confetti as possible first, until you get the hang of it.... that way when you come to the confetti heavy areas, you should find it much easier :) x
I know you have had this video out for a while and the Flosstube world always refers back. Thank you. I have been eyeing some HAED's and I feel like I'm ready this tutorial really makes me want to get started. THank you for this video and all your others.
+TheRetrogirl369 My pleasure. I hope you do give it a try, and if you don't like it, that's totally fine. We're all different and I love the fact we have different ways of doing things. Who knows, you may even find a way to tweak it to suit your needs better. Best of luck! Happy stitching :) x
I know this is a really old video Carolyn but I just wanted to say thank you for making it. I have just started to work on a full coverage piece and was trying to figure out an efficient way to stitch it that would make it enjoyable and not stressful. I think parking may be the answer. Your instructions are super clear and you even gave me some alternative options to try. Thanks again.
I have cross stitched since I was 10, I am 27 now, and I have always been frightened by these larger designs, have tried them many times and found them so intimidating with the constant colour changes... I wish I had known this technique before! So helpful thank you :)
Raquelle Prince My pleasure Raquelle! I hope now you can actually enjoy them and not be intimidated by them. There are too many of these beautiful large designs to ignore them. Happy stitching :) x
Thank you for sharing your technique. I've never tried parking before, so I'll attempt this parking method when I start a larger project. The loop method changed my life, so I will definitely have to try with the loop at the front. Thanks again from a fellow Aussie stitcher :)
I'm going to give parking a try on my new HAED so I thought I'd come watch your tutorial first (as everyone talks about how great it is)! Thank you so much! You've made the whole idea of parking so much less intimidating. I'm looking forward to giving it a try! :D xx
He visto muchas explicaciones sobre el "Parking Technique" y solo lo he entendido con tu explicación. Muchas gracias por explicarlo tan bien. Thank you!!!
I can't wait to try parking! I just started my first HAED (I'm about 3000 stitches in), and all of the starting and stopping was driving my crazy and taking so long! SOOOOOO glad I found your video!!! It will take a bit for me to get used to a messy back, but it will definitely be worth it for the time this is going to save. Now I have to watch your video on using GoodReader on my iPad so that I can keep track of what I'm doing!
Hi, I really enjoy your videos. Your dragon is absolutely stunning. I have just taken on the largest project I have ever done and realized I would need to learn parking. I watched a few other videos and found it very confusing for some reason. Your video made it crystal clear. I have started it and find it easy to get used to. Thank you very much!!
Love this video. I searched in vain for a parking method tutorial when I first started Mini Pearl in 2013 and really just couldn't find anything. Finally found a blog that described it in a way that made sense to me. But my methods have changed as I've learned. I love that you reiterate that this is your method and maybe it doesn't work for everybody else, but that's ok. :) The ultimate goal is to find something that works and we're just providing a few options. Someday, I'll figure how to record my own method to show just another possibility for people. As a side note, every time I see your Blue Dragon, I get so excited about HAED all over again. It makes me want to get back to work on mine. Your work is gorgeous. Truly amazing. :) Hugs, Jessie
Hi Jessie, Thank you so much! That's what I love about this community - the ability to share how we do things, tips, shortcuts, storage options, and of course......enabling lol! I get so many questions on IG, whenever I post a pic of the dragon and it's not the easiest thing to describe. So hopefully I can now just refer them to the video which will be easier to understand. I'd love to see how you park. The more possibilities we share with each other, the easier it will become for newbies and those wanting to try something new. Thank you for the kind comments, they're really appreciated :) Happy stitching x
Thanks Suzy - there was a panic when TH-cam decided it didn't want to accept the video, and I'm going away next week, and I knew I needed to get it up before the SAL on Dec 1st. Thanks for watching and happy stitching :) x
Re watched again and am amazed it’s so smooth and no lines cos no matter how, I still get lines vertical or horizontal so have been going over a few stitches and see how that helps
+Rosa Cefalu Thank you so much! I'm so happy that you found it helpful. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Happy stitching :) x
Great video, I stitch the same way as you and did it from the very beginning before I even knew this was called parking . In my mind it was making sense to work this way .
It is the best video I've seen up To now......I thought it was VERY complicated, but your explanations are really easy to understand and it makes sens..........Wow...thanks a lot..... Eln, QC, Canada
+Sam Tou I hope you do try it Sam - I absolutely love this technique and it has significantly increased my speed on HAEDs. If you do try it (and I hope you do), my recommendation is to start on an area with only a few colours to begin with, so you don't confuse yourself. Once you're working on squares that contain 20 or so different parked colours, it can get a little crowded and confusing for someone starting out. So practise with only a few colours until you feel safe to venture on to more. Best of luck and happy stitching :) x
wow this technique always looked so intimidating and i would get frusterated trying to learn it. you made me confident enough to try this. thank you!!!
That's so great Jennifer! I thought the exact same thing when I first saw it, but my curious nature got the best of me and I just had to try it. When I did, I realised it definitely wasn't as bad as it looked. I'm so glad to have inspired you :) Happy stitching x
This is the best and most helpful video that I have seen on parking! Thank you for showing the back...this is the first video where I have seen that done. Definitely will inspire me to give it a try!
Thanks Liz! I love watching other people's techniques too. That's the reason I love this community - everyone's willing to share their knowledge to help others'. Happy stitching :) x
I honestly didn't think I was fast, just average. I think the 2 handed stitching has definitely sped things up a bit for me though. Thanks for watching, and happy stitching :) x
AKATheMrs It's taken me 20 years to try it, mainly because the tension on my frame was too loose and my spare hand was used to help hold it up! I recommend trying it, but only once you feel you're ready to learn it. It all takes time.... there's no rush :) x
I've read about parking before--seen pictures, and watched old videos. Your video just lit a lightbulb in my head. Eureka! I finally understand how to do it. Interesting... very interesting. :) I may try this with the next BAP
That's awesome! And that's exactly what I was hoping to achieve. I know many have tried Parking before and hated it.... but maybe, just maybe, if they saw a slightly different technique it might actually work for them. I hope you do try and it works for you. Please let me know if it does - I'd be very interested to hear. Thanks for watching, and happy stitching :) x
This was so interesting. Kudos to you for stitching with your non-dominant hand for us! I've never tried parking but the organization of your system appeals to me. I've also never seen anyone park without gridding - I won't ever grid either so I was happy to see this :) Awesome job! McKenzie
Thanks so much McKenzie - it wasn't easy, I'm not ambidextrous like my husband and my right hand did manage to take over at one stage LOL. I know you stitch in hand, and I'm not sure how you'd go with parking that way.... but hey, never say never! I do hope you give it a try one day :) x
Recently returned to xstitch after many years and been cruising around and finding all sorts of "new" to me techniques and this was awesome to watch. Not sure if I'll try it as I am more taken at the moment with sampler style stitches but what I loved the best was to hear an Aussie accent :D
Thank you so much for this video!! I've been cross stitching for years but just recently tried the parking method. This is the best tutorial I've found yet. My one adjustment is that when working in my 10x10 grid, I start off with the lowest parked thread first (in your pattern, the square highlighted in row 8, col 1). Once that thread's done, I move to the next lowest parked thread. That way I'm not having to work among the other parked threads as much.
anngatlanta1 OK I understand that - thanks for sharing. I love how we can tweak something to suit our own needs. There should be no hard and fast rules when it comes to hobbies. Thank you for your kind comments and thanks for watching :) x
Thankyou so much for showing us your way of parking, before today I never really thought about parking but as I am working on a heaven and earth which is so heavy with confetti the starting then re-starting every couple of minutes was driving me insane aha, you've made me understand this technique so much more! going to try this method out today :) thanks again:)
Pearlinstitches You're so welcome..... glad I can help! Parking really is the only way to get through those designs and keep your sanity lol! Hope you enjoy it, and happy stitching :) x
Thank you for your video. I am going to try it this morning. You do a great job of explaining how you work. Keep them coming if you don't mind. I need all the help I can get being a new xstitcher. Thanks again.
Oh thank you so much - I'm so excited to have inspired you. If you have ANY questions as you go, please feel free to send me a message (either here or privately) and I'll do my absolute best to help you. Best of luck and happy stitching :) x
+Lisa Knapp Thank you so much Lisa! I often find that it's helpful to hear a few explanations of things that are difficult to understand, because you know eventually one of them is going to give you that lightbulb moment. Just remember, it's just a guide.... alter it however you need to, to find a way that suits you best. Happy stitching :) x
I think this is the 5th time I've watched this in the past two days LOL. I am trying the parking technique for the first honest time on my new HAED start. It's actually working well, I'm just finding starting a bit hard because there's about 15 colors in my first block of 100, so there is lots of threading the needle! Let's see how well it goes further on when I get the hang of it. It's much more different than doing cross country. I have to constantly tell myself to not keep going with the thread. :) Thanks Carolyn!
Jennifer Apodaca Hi Jennifer! Yes I can imagine having 15 colours in that first block to be a little daunting and confusing. I always try to recommend trying it with a more solid block first, so you don't get overwhelmed. Are you stitching full crosses or tent stitch? Please be aware that some people have noticed grid lines form on their design from staying within the 10x10 grid. I didn't notice this with my blue dragon at all, probably because there wasn't any real solid blocks of colour..... just lots of confetti! If this is a concern to you and you wish to avoid that happening, I suggest staggering the grids to achieve a jagged edge rather than a straight one. ie 1st row 10 stitches, 2nd row 11 stitches, 3rd row 12 stitches, 4th row 11 stitches, 5th row 10 stitches - can you see the pattern forming? If you are tent stitching then you may want to seriously consider the advice above also, as I have very noticeable grid lines in my current HAED (which I'm stitching continental tent stitch style). I believe it can be rectified, but I haven't tried it yet. Hopefully by my next update video I'll be able to let everyone know how that went. Anyway, best of luck and if you have any questions please let me know :) xx
Carolyn Mazzeo Thank you Carolyn! I am doing full crosses this time. It is very confetti heavy so far (37 colors in 3 blocks). The only solid parts of this pattern I can see is her face which I would be able to stagger when I'm coming up to it. I did have a few noticeable page lines (to me) on the red riding hood finish, and once it was washed, dried and ironed the lines went away. One question I did have after working on parking a while, is what do you do when you come to the end of a page? Do you look to the next page and park there where it is on the next one? Or tie off and complete the current page, then start all over with fresh threads on the next page? Just curious what you do in that situation :)
Jennifer Apodaca I actually look up the next page and park my threads where they will go. Sometimes it feels like a hassle, especially when my GoodReader app is in slow mo but I just don't feel right with finishing them off. :) x
Has to come back and watch again. This really makes me want to work on my BAP now and try parking! But I have the save the stitches sal starting tomorrow and Peter Rabbit which I must finish in two weeks. Then I can try parking. Thanks again, loved your video :)
Haha! So glad I can encourage you - that's what I'm here for :) I started my STS SAL in the early hours this morning - not sure about my choice of black fabric... but maybe my eyes are just still tired. If you have any questions re: parking, feel free to ask. Happy stitching :) x
Ive only just come across parking, (Just started learning to cross stitch at the start of the year) Im just about to start my first big piece and it seemed kinda daunting before I saw this method, you explained it wonderfully, Thank you, I'll be giving it a go!
Colleen Cruise Thanks so much Colleen - it means a lot to me when I can de-mystify things for people and show that they're actually easier than they look! Happy stitching :) x
Thank you SO much for this tutorial! It really helped me out. I was already parking but using your two highlighting method has helped with the parking. Love it!
I can't thank you enough for this lesson! I tend to suffer from decision paralysis when it comes to "OMG what stitch do I do next?!" and I quite like the idea of just doing a 10x10 at a time. There is a large project I have been eyeing for months and this method makes it seem like something I can actually accomplish! I would probably have to add in grid marks just so I wasn't triple counting stitches and holes, but I could just do a page at a time with that and not spend too much time on it.
Jessica Layne I don't know how I missed this message..... I'm so sorry! I make a point of answering every single message/question that gets sent to me. So my deepest apologies for the late response. I'm so glad you found the technique helpful, and yes by all means, add grids lines if it helps you. I'm just way to impatient for that lol! I did complete a large project many years ago (along the same style as a HAED, but still considerably smaller than my Blue Dragon). I stitched it the conventional way and it took me forever..... if only I'd known about this technique back then, I would have many more large projects completed by now. Please let me know how you go, and if you have any further questions, please ask. Happy stitching :) x
Thank you soooo much for sharing. I really appreciate you showing the back of your work. I recently created a few patterns myself from some artwork that I loved and it was full of confetti and like you I did some research and combined different techniques I found and came up with a way to park that was good for me. I did wonder if my back was supposed to look that way and now I see its OK. I really enjoyed watching you stitch; keep you them coming. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to do a video of my own!
Thanks so much Lisa! I'm not sure what it is about stitchers not showing their backs! Why just show all the good stuff and not prepare others for the bad? How are newbies supposed to learn if they don't know what to expect? Oh well I took the plunge and I don't regret it. I'm very glad at least it's put your mind to rest - that was the aim of the video :) I'm so glad you found something that works for you too, isn't that also what it's all about? Please do! You don't even need to show your face - I have many that I've subscribed to that I've never seen their face. In fact I have some where there's so much background noise you can hardly hear them and the lighting is so poor you really can't even see anything - but I still watch, because I'm that obsessed LOL! You could just start by showing your current WIPs and work from there. I love this community - so welcoming, and absolutely no pressure. Let me know if you do, so I can subscribe to you. Thanks for watching, and happy stitching :) x
Carolyn, this is fantastic! Great tutorial on your method, and you do make parking seem less intimidating than it has looked thus far to me. I felt good enough about parking after watching this that I finally went to the HAED website this morning and made an account so I could start a wishlist. I think after the new year (I won't call it a resolution, but...yeah) I'll get one of those patterns kitted up give it a go. Thanks for posting this.
Just one?!?!? Hahaha you should see my HAED wish list..... and not to mention the one's I've already bought! Oh dear! Thank you so much - it's a great feeling when you give someone a sense that they CAN do it and to at least give it a try. When I first saw parking I thought "What on earth is that? What is all that thread hanging off their fabric? Are they crazy? Is there some new way of stitching, that I've been missing out on?" Curious as I am, I had to investigate further. That process led me to HAEDs and a whole new world of stitching opened up for me. I can't tell you how happy I am with my stitching journey now. It's definitely re-ignited my passion. Have fun on the HAED website - and remember to check your watch occasionally...... because time does fly on there lol! All the best on trying this technique, and if you have any further questions I'll be more than happy to help, if I can. Happy stitching :) x
Thanks! This was an excellent tutorial :D I am currently trying to find the parking method that works for me. Parking makes stitching a HAED much easier!
I agree Chloe. I stitched a Mystic Stitch piece years ago, and although it wasn't anywhere near as big as my dragon, it was still a sizeable piece. I stitched it how I would normally stitch, by colour over each page. I remember making so many mistakes because I mis-counted, and it took forever to stitch! If only I knew about this technique back then it would have been so much easier. Merry Christmas and Happy stitching :) x
your video was such a huge help! I've never hear of parking before, I'm guessing it would be easier to start this technique with a few thread for eg 5 threads for a 10 by 10. Thanks so much!! I too am in Aust so helpful to hear someone 'without' an accent talking and describing - its amazing how differently ppl from other countries communicate things.
I’m starting w new project and it’s the first time i do my own drawing. I never planned or made a chart or anything. I just improvised. This is the first time i see a planning technique
Thank you thank you thank you! I'm working on a huge, completely filled in design and it has been a slog. I tried both your 10x10 grid technique with the parking last night, and I got SO much done! Brilliant!
MissCritiki That's awesome! I'm so happy you found it helpful and that it sped things up a bit for you. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback on this. Happy stitching :) x
Hi Carolyn, I thread my needle by pushing the loop end through the eye of the needle. Works most of the time. Easier than threading the 2 ends through the eye, at least for me. Love your vids.
+xx courtr5877 I use that method sometimes with the metallic threads... after the ends have started fraying, it's near impossible to get them through the eye. Thanks so much hun. Happy stitching :) x
Previous parking method videos have not made sence to me. Yours however I think I could do. Still building up myself up to do one lol. It won't be long nowthat I have watched your brilliant video. Thank you. Happy stitching☺
+Judy Hewlett Oh I truly hope that you do. HAEDs are very intimidating, I know... but they are really quite simple to stitch. Just full crosses, no fractionals... they are just REALLY BIG lol! If you're still a bit nervous, I suggest maybe starting with a QS (Quick Stitch) or a Bookkeep , both of which are much smaller in size and will give you a feel for the type of stitching required. Best of luck :) x
Thank you for sharing! As you know, I'm planning to do my first parking with the HAED SAL starting Dec 1. I was also planning to do my parking pretty much the way you just showed us. So this video helped me see how it truly works. However, I was going to grid, in fact, I have started the gridding. But it has turned out to be very tedious indeed. Now that I have watched you I'm thinking the gridding would be more trouble than it is worth. I'm thinking I may now just back all the gridding out and save that for some other project (Maybe try adding grid to one of my current WIPs that has a lot of confetti!) I could leave the grid that is in already, but I started the gridding from the center and if I park without gridding I would simply start at the first square in the top left and measure out my margins. the centered grid that is already started would be off that count by a few squares. But, fortunately I have only gridded about 5 rows - there are probably 20 non-gridded - so not a major loss of time & effort.. Thanks again for sharing! Looking forward to your future videos!
Liz Smith No, this SAL is an event in a faceboojk group - Cross Stitch And Discuss!!! #2 facebook.com/groups/1472303669668947/ With this SAL everyone participating selects their own preference for what pattern to stitch. No one starts stitching until Dec. 1, 2014. We post our Day 1 progress that day and then just post progess pictures as we go along (about once a week). There is no end date since some people are stitching very VERY large patterns. I myself chose a mini pattern, but my finished project will still be 12x17 on 20ctAida. The group also has another SAL that will start Jan. 1, 2015 - that one will be a Save The Stitches Blackwork SAL. For the Save the Stitches everyone will be stitching the same pattern.
Oh no. Maybe try it on a scrap piece of fabric first. I know a lot of stitchers prefer to grid, so I don't want to influence your decision to change, incase you don't like it. I would suggest maybe trying both and see which one you prefer. I have never gridded and when I tried this technique I fell in love straight away, so I didn't need to make the choice. Who knows, maybe I would actually enjoy stitching with gridding - BUT having said that, I don't have the patience to grid the fabric. I just want to start stitching the design straight away lol! A lot of people seem to use the pre-gridded Aida that you can buy too, which would obviously save a stack of time. I'd be very interested in hearing what you end up doing. Happy stitching :) x
I'm just getting back into x-stitch so I'm looking for helpful videos because I only used Aida and simpler designs. I love the Mirabilia mermaids which made me want to start again. This was very helpful. I'm still searching for a demo of 2 over 2 on Laguna, Belfast or something similar. My stitches just look twisted and I'm trying the railroad method which slows me down but if it would look neat, it would be worth it. I just learned the loop method and now I'm excited to try it from the front! Thanks.
Great tutorial! I am going to post a link to your video on my blog if you don't mind, for anyone who is interested in learning how to park. I am parking on my haed but I had seen someone show how they were doing it diagonally... maybe Xstitch Judith ?...? I can't remember and I think she has gotten rid of her blog. Anyway I love parking, and I agree with you on losing the passion on these big projects. I am enjoying my big ones again since I started parking. It was really neat to see how you do it. And your stitching is beautiful!
Hi Khristine, that sounds fantastic.... thank you so much!!! :D Yes I also heard of the diagonal method, but I haven't seen it yet. So glad you're enjoying your stitching again - sometimes all it takes is a new method to spark that passion :) Thank you for the lovely comments, they are really appreciated :) Happy stitching :) x
Thanks so much for this video! I have a HAED that I keep starting but end up getting tangled tread everywhere. I'm going to start it over again with 1 over 1 instead of 2 over one as it suggested.
Hi there! A lot of cross stitchers use 1 over 1 on HAEDs. What fabric count are you using? I prefer to use 2 strands because I like to use the loop method to start. Stitching 1 over 1 would definitely be easier to begin using the parking method, as you said, less threads to get tangled. I wish you luck - if you have any questions, please ask. Happy stitching :) x
Great explanation but the back of the piece would drive me insane! When I first learned to cross stitch I learned from a tiny book that said the back of your piece should be as neat as the front and I live by that couldn't stitch this way. I love cross stitch because of its super neatness so I just cant even :P Great video though!
cortex19518 gees!! I am jealous!! Ive always heard that the back should be as neat as the front. So far Ive never even come close to accomplishing it. Is there some secret I ve missed???
idk why other people's parking method videos confused me so much, but yours is the one i actually understood, thank you for sharing im new to cross stitch but im eyeing a few full coverage pieces i wanna work on and use the parking method on!!
You know what astounds me? You made this video a year and a ½ ago! Yet, so many have watched just a few months ago! Your instructions are so easy to follow and your demonstration of the technique is very precise. Thank you for taking the time to teach and encourage us stitchers! (By the way... I don't think that back matters either. It's my love of project and knowing that my work will be a keepsake for my family.) Great job Carolyn! Thank you.
Just wanted to add my thanks and say that this is one of the best tutorials on parking I watched. You make it very clear.
I've been so intimidated to start any projects with this many colors, but your video was so clear and gave me much needed confidence to give it a try.
anterwilliger That's awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback..... you made my day :) x
I am new to flosstube, but I've been stitching for 30 years, so excuse my late comment on this video.
Your explanation of parking made it click for me. Thank you! I came across it in a video a couple of days ago, but was not confident at all that I understood it, until I came across your video that is. I love the full coverage designs, but knew there had to be a quicker way, so one I get the complete hang of it I am sure it will be much faster.
So once again, thank you for being such an excellent teacher!
I'm so amazed at how smooth all of these colors are blending and how beautiful your stitches are. I'd never do this difficult of a piece, it's too much of a headache for me (watch me say this and then start doing haeds in a couple of years...) It amazes me how you have the patience and the brain power to do something this complicated.
Thank you very much for this extremely helpful guide. I’d not thought about using the parking technique, but was fascinated to see how it works. I’ve decided it would be very worthwhile to try this. Thanks again.
I just started watching youtube videos on counted cross stitch last week. I've been a cross stitcher for almost 30 years but it never dawned on me to watch videos about it. I couldn't help but giggle to myself when I saw this parking technique. When I started cross stitching all those years ago I was self taught and didn't know what to do with my threads so I did something similar to what you are doing now but I had no idea that it was a thing and that the thing is called parking! You learn something new every day!!! I enjoy your videos, thank you!
This video has been a real blessing to me! I have cross stitched all my life but never really had any good techniques. After watching this video, I started a (for me) difficult project and it is coming along really well. I learned several tips from you, Carolyn, that have made me feel really comfortable with parking. Thank you so much for taking the time to record this video!
I have cross stitched for years and have made many mistakes. I had never know there was a different way to stitch until 2 weeks ago when I decide I had enough of flipping my project to finish a thread so was looking for a way to finish from above. saw videos on parking but it looked like chaos but was really interested to understand what it was as I had just bought to mega solid image projects. you video made it click for me and I am so excited to use this method as I often get lost and make mistakes since losing sight in my right eye. have even sent a link to my BF who is about to start her first cross stitch project as she is always asking for advice. Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video.
This is the first video I have seen that has actually made sense to me regarding parking. I actually feel pretty confident I could do this and stop gridding. Thank you!
Best video seen in a very long time,so clear on your demonstration thank you
LOVE the fact that you emphasize that each stitcher and their techniques are unique and individual and that there's no right or wrong way :) Thanks for sharing your technique with us! I've found that when I park, not only do I make less mistakes, but I'm definitely able to stitch faster :) Your back looks so nice and neat!!! :D Thanks for the video!
Carolyn I can't thank you enough for this tutorial. I have always been intimidated by HAEDs but you really make it look doable for me now. I am new to floss tube & am working through all your videos. I really hope at some point you will return with more. You are delightful & a blessing to the xstitch community. ❤
Carolyn, This is an excellent video on parking! This was super clear so that anybody who wants to learn this technique should be able to follow it. I've been doing it on a 10 x 10 grid like you do as well. I was glad to hear you say that you could stitch about 100 - 150 stitches per hour depending on the confetti. That's about the best I can do as well. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us! You're a terrific teacher!
Thank you so much! :)
I just started parking and really need to start marking my chart where I parked. I started working on my project and forgot what was parked cuz the colors were so similar, live and learn. It is going a little better now and I wish i had started doing this a long time ago. Thank you for sharing! ;)
I'm so glad you found it helpful Theresa - it's so wonderful we can all share our helpful tips and advice with each other :)
Happy stitching :) x
Thank you so much for posting this video. I learned so much by watching this video. I will try the parking method now for my HAED design. Your help was a tremendous help!!! Thank you
Shannon Juhlin You're very welcome Shannon. If you need any extra help please let me know.
Thanks for watching and happy stitching :) x
I have crossed stitched for years, mostly small to medium project bought at the local craft store or walmart. I have always loved the bigger more intricate projects but have been intimidated by them. I always make a mistake in counting and either have to take out a lot of stitches or adjust. This is great! This would make it so much easier I might have to take the plunge and try a bigger pattern. I love the loop method also that seems so much easier and less messy! Thank you so much!
Started my first HAED yesterday and your parking technique is really easy! Thank you for this great video! I probably didn't dare to start a HAED without it!
Your videos are amazing. I’m self taught and been stitching since 1985 and I’ve never heard of this method. I’m definitely going to try this.
Thank you for your great video. I learned how to park from you for the HAED parking challenge. I was only new to stitching and never heard of it so those challenges helped a lot. Your video was the easiest to follow and understand. I kept up parking since then and on all my new starts. I recommend your video to everyone who is trying to figure it out but can't. Thanks for taking the time to do it!
Carolyn, I want to thank you for your video on your parking technique. I've tried it, working on a project with confetti and it works well and I think it is faster also. Thanks again for taking your time to do a video and for sharing this technique. Your fellow stitcher xxxx Donna
+Donna Dorman So sorry for the extemely late response Donna.... Your comment is one of many that I didn't receive a notification for, so that's why I haven't responded until now.
I find it has definitely sped up my stitching, so I'm glad to hear you feel the same way also.
It was my absolute pleasure to do the video for my fellow stitchers :)
Happy stitching :) x
Carolyn, I just started the HAED sal today and have started using your parking method. I am so glad you did this video as it was very easy to understand and follow. I am enjoying this technique. Thanks so much !!
That's fantastic!!! I'm so glad it works for you. Happy stitching :) x
I just discovered Floss Tube and Cross Stitch. I have needlepointed for years but wanted to "cross over" ;) and give counted cross stitch a try. This is my very first comment and I am not even sure what a "channel" is and how to create a photo in the box but I have adult children who can help me with it later. Anyway, I got overwhelmed with my first project and gridding. Your method looks PERFECT for me! And, parking seems to be a great option. If I didn't happen to see your videos, I would be somewhere with a ruler and pencil still trying to figure out how to grid!!! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH. And your needlework is just BEAUTIFUL!
This is the first parking tutorial I've watched that I can actually understand the process. Excited to try this on my current wip because of all of that antagonizing confetti! Thanks for the awesome tutorial :)
+Maddison Kearns My pleasure Maddison - I'm so glad you found the video helpful. My best advice is try it out on an area with as little confetti as possible first, until you get the hang of it.... that way when you come to the confetti heavy areas, you should find it much easier :) x
Thanks Carolyn! :)
I know you have had this video out for a while and the Flosstube world always refers back. Thank you. I have been eyeing some HAED's and I feel like I'm ready this tutorial really makes me want to get started. THank you for this video and all your others.
+TheRetrogirl369 My pleasure. I hope you do give it a try, and if you don't like it, that's totally fine. We're all different and I love the fact we have different ways of doing things. Who knows, you may even find a way to tweak it to suit your needs better. Best of luck!
Happy stitching :) x
I know this is a really old video Carolyn but I just wanted to say thank you for making it. I have just started to work on a full coverage piece and was trying to figure out an efficient way to stitch it that would make it enjoyable and not stressful. I think parking may be the answer. Your instructions are super clear and you even gave me some alternative options to try. Thanks again.
I have cross stitched since I was 10, I am 27 now, and I have always been frightened by these larger designs, have tried them many times and found them so intimidating with the constant colour changes... I wish I had known this technique before! So helpful thank you :)
Raquelle Prince My pleasure Raquelle! I hope now you can actually enjoy them and not be intimidated by them. There are too many of these beautiful large designs to ignore them. Happy stitching :) x
This is the best tutorial for parking, I will definitely try a full coverage design now. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing your technique. I've never tried parking before, so I'll attempt this parking method when I start a larger project. The loop method changed my life, so I will definitely have to try with the loop at the front. Thanks again from a fellow Aussie stitcher :)
I'm going to give parking a try on my new HAED so I thought I'd come watch your tutorial first (as everyone talks about how great it is)! Thank you so much! You've made the whole idea of parking so much less intimidating. I'm looking forward to giving it a try! :D xx
Emily Chadwick Glad you enjoyed it Emily :) x
He visto muchas explicaciones sobre el "Parking Technique" y solo lo he entendido con tu explicación. Muchas gracias por explicarlo tan bien. Thank you!!!
I can't wait to try parking! I just started my first HAED (I'm about 3000 stitches in), and all of the starting and stopping was driving my crazy and taking so long! SOOOOOO glad I found your video!!! It will take a bit for me to get used to a messy back, but it will definitely be worth it for the time this is going to save. Now I have to watch your video on using GoodReader on my iPad so that I can keep track of what I'm doing!
Hi, I really enjoy your videos. Your dragon is absolutely stunning. I have just taken on the largest project I have ever done and realized I would need to learn parking. I watched a few other videos and found it very confusing for some reason. Your video made it crystal clear. I have started it and find it easy to get used to. Thank you very much!!
Love this video. I searched in vain for a parking method tutorial when I first started Mini Pearl in 2013 and really just couldn't find anything. Finally found a blog that described it in a way that made sense to me. But my methods have changed as I've learned.
I love that you reiterate that this is your method and maybe it doesn't work for everybody else, but that's ok. :) The ultimate goal is to find something that works and we're just providing a few options. Someday, I'll figure how to record my own method to show just another possibility for people.
As a side note, every time I see your Blue Dragon, I get so excited about HAED all over again. It makes me want to get back to work on mine. Your work is gorgeous. Truly amazing. :)
Hugs, Jessie
Hi Jessie, Thank you so much! That's what I love about this community - the ability to share how we do things, tips, shortcuts, storage options, and of course......enabling lol!
I get so many questions on IG, whenever I post a pic of the dragon and it's not the easiest thing to describe. So hopefully I can now just refer them to the video which will be easier to understand.
I'd love to see how you park. The more possibilities we share with each other, the easier it will become for newbies and those wanting to try something new.
Thank you for the kind comments, they're really appreciated :)
Happy stitching x
This was so helpful. I am starting a large HAED in Dec. also, so I am glad this video was so timely.
Thank you so much.
Thanks Suzy - there was a panic when TH-cam decided it didn't want to accept the video, and I'm going away next week, and I knew I needed to get it up before the SAL on Dec 1st.
Thanks for watching and happy stitching :) x
Re watched again and am amazed it’s so smooth and no lines cos no matter how, I still get lines vertical or horizontal so have been going over a few stitches and see how that helps
Thank you for making this video! I have a much better understanding of how to park now, and will try this method for my newest project. :)
This is the best parking video ever! Thank you so much. I finally understand how this can work.
+Rosa Cefalu Thank you so much! I'm so happy that you found it helpful. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Happy stitching :) x
Great video, I stitch the same way as you and did it from the very beginning before I even knew this was called parking . In my mind it was making sense to work this way .
It is the best video I've seen up To now......I thought it was VERY complicated, but your explanations are really easy to understand and it makes sens..........Wow...thanks a lot.....
Eln, QC, Canada
Thank you Carolyn for yet another great video. I would like to try it. I especially like that the stitches will be covering the thread as you work it.
+Sam Tou I hope you do try it Sam - I absolutely love this technique and it has significantly increased my speed on HAEDs. If you do try it (and I hope you do), my recommendation is to start on an area with only a few colours to begin with, so you don't confuse yourself. Once you're working on squares that contain 20 or so different parked colours, it can get a little crowded and confusing for someone starting out. So practise with only a few colours until you feel safe to venture on to more.
Best of luck and happy stitching :) x
wow this technique always looked so intimidating and i would get frusterated trying to learn it. you made me confident enough to try this. thank you!!!
That's so great Jennifer! I thought the exact same thing when I first saw it, but my curious nature got the best of me and I just had to try it. When I did, I realised it definitely wasn't as bad as it looked.
I'm so glad to have inspired you :)
Happy stitching x
This is the best and most helpful video that I have seen on parking! Thank you for showing the back...this is the first video where I have seen that done. Definitely will inspire me to give it a try!
Thank you so much for the detail you went through. I am just about to start my first HAED and this will be sooo helpful!
Linda Marentette You're very welcome Linda! If you have any questions after you start, you know where to find me ;)
Happy stitching :) x
Thanks for sharing this! I just started parking and it's wonderful to see another way of doing it.
Thanks Liz! I love watching other people's techniques too. That's the reason I love this community - everyone's willing to share their knowledge to help others'.
Happy stitching :) x
I'm in awe at how quick you are!!! I'm a newbie working on my first WIP :) Thanks for sharing this technique :)
I honestly didn't think I was fast, just average. I think the 2 handed stitching has definitely sped things up a bit for me though.
Thanks for watching, and happy stitching :) x
Carolyn Mazzeo I still stitch one handed, so it looked lightning fast to me lol ;)
AKATheMrs It's taken me 20 years to try it, mainly because the tension on my frame was too loose and my spare hand was used to help hold it up! I recommend trying it, but only once you feel you're ready to learn it. It all takes time.... there's no rush :) x
I've read about parking before--seen pictures, and watched old videos. Your video just lit a lightbulb in my head. Eureka! I finally understand how to do it. Interesting... very interesting. :) I may try this with the next BAP
That's awesome! And that's exactly what I was hoping to achieve. I know many have tried Parking before and hated it.... but maybe, just maybe, if they saw a slightly different technique it might actually work for them. I hope you do try and it works for you. Please let me know if it does - I'd be very interested to hear.
Thanks for watching, and happy stitching :) x
Will do. It'll be awhile until I sit my b*tt down to a big a** project like a HAED But when I do, I'll find you and let yah know how it's going. :)
This was so interesting. Kudos to you for stitching with your non-dominant hand for us! I've never tried parking but the organization of your system appeals to me. I've also never seen anyone park without gridding - I won't ever grid either so I was happy to see this :) Awesome job!
McKenzie
Thanks so much McKenzie - it wasn't easy, I'm not ambidextrous like my husband and my right hand did manage to take over at one stage LOL.
I know you stitch in hand, and I'm not sure how you'd go with parking that way.... but hey, never say never! I do hope you give it a try one day :) x
Recently returned to xstitch after many years and been cruising around and finding all sorts of "new" to me techniques and this was awesome to watch. Not sure if I'll try it as I am more taken at the moment with sampler style stitches but what I loved the best was to hear an Aussie accent :D
Thank you so much for making this video! I've watched it 3 times and I will attempt it with my first HAED design !!!!!! THANK YOU!
+Chris Crossiness My pleasure! I'm so glad you found it useful :) x
Thank you for getting back to me. Looking forward to more of your videos.
You're welcome - and thanks so much for watching :)
Thanks heaps for sharing your technique! I was against parking until I watched your video and I'm keen to try it out in my next project. Thank you :-)
I am tempted to try this, bit nervous about trying this. But you have explained it the best!
Thank you so much for this video!! I've been cross stitching for years but just recently tried the parking method. This is the best tutorial I've found yet.
My one adjustment is that when working in my 10x10 grid, I start off with the lowest parked thread first (in your pattern, the square highlighted in row 8, col 1). Once that thread's done, I move to the next lowest parked thread. That way I'm not having to work among the other parked threads as much.
anngatlanta1 OK I understand that - thanks for sharing. I love how we can tweak something to suit our own needs. There should be no hard and fast rules when it comes to hobbies. Thank you for your kind comments and thanks for watching :) x
First time I feel like I can do this --- at last! Thank you.
Thank you this video helped me a lot with parking thread. I will definitely use this technique when I do my next big project.
+Tetellia I'm so glad you found it helpful. Best of luck, and if you have any questions when you start, please don't hesitate to contact me :) x
Your stitching is so neat and your back in very nice. I admire stitches who can do this. :)
Thank you - somehow I think it always looks better on camera and in photos then it really does haha! :) x
Thankyou so much for showing us your way of parking, before today I never really thought about parking but as I am working on a heaven and earth which is so heavy with confetti the starting then re-starting every couple of minutes was driving me insane aha, you've made me understand this technique so much more! going to try this method out today :) thanks again:)
Pearlinstitches You're so welcome..... glad I can help! Parking really is the only way to get through those designs and keep your sanity lol! Hope you enjoy it, and happy stitching :) x
i think your patient and absolutely wonderful----follow you all the time and a BIGTH ANK YOU jeanette
+Jeanette Green Thank you so much Jeanette, I really appreciate that :)
Happy stitching :) x
Thank you for your video. I am going to try it this morning. You do a great job of explaining how you work. Keep them coming if you don't mind. I need all the help I can get being a new xstitcher. Thanks again.
Oh thank you so much - I'm so excited to have inspired you. If you have ANY questions as you go, please feel free to send me a message (either here or privately) and I'll do my absolute best to help you.
Best of luck and happy stitching :) x
This is the best tutorial I have found on Parking. Thank You!! :-)
+Crystal West Thank you so much, that is so lovely of you to say :) x
thanks so much for sharing, I have watched several videos on parking and yours made the most sense. Cant wait to try this.
+Lisa Knapp Thank you so much Lisa! I often find that it's helpful to hear a few explanations of things that are difficult to understand, because you know eventually one of them is going to give you that lightbulb moment. Just remember, it's just a guide.... alter it however you need to, to find a way that suits you best.
Happy stitching :) x
Thanks so much for this video. It's the best explanation I've seen so far.
Thanks so much Lorna, I'm glad you liked it :) x
I think this is the 5th time I've watched this in the past two days LOL. I am trying the parking technique for the first honest time on my new HAED start. It's actually working well, I'm just finding starting a bit hard because there's about 15 colors in my first block of 100, so there is lots of threading the needle! Let's see how well it goes further on when I get the hang of it. It's much more different than doing cross country. I have to constantly tell myself to not keep going with the thread. :) Thanks Carolyn!
Jennifer Apodaca Hi Jennifer! Yes I can imagine having 15 colours in that first block to be a little daunting and confusing. I always try to recommend trying it with a more solid block first, so you don't get overwhelmed. Are you stitching full crosses or tent stitch? Please be aware that some people have noticed grid lines form on their design from staying within the 10x10 grid. I didn't notice this with my blue dragon at all, probably because there wasn't any real solid blocks of colour..... just lots of confetti! If this is a concern to you and you wish to avoid that happening, I suggest staggering the grids to achieve a jagged edge rather than a straight one.
ie 1st row 10 stitches, 2nd row 11 stitches, 3rd row 12 stitches, 4th row 11 stitches, 5th row 10 stitches - can you see the pattern forming?
If you are tent stitching then you may want to seriously consider the advice above also, as I have very noticeable grid lines in my current HAED (which I'm stitching continental tent stitch style). I believe it can be rectified, but I haven't tried it yet. Hopefully by my next update video I'll be able to let everyone know how that went.
Anyway, best of luck and if you have any questions please let me know :) xx
Carolyn Mazzeo Thank you Carolyn! I am doing full crosses this time. It is very confetti heavy so far (37 colors in 3 blocks). The only solid parts of this pattern I can see is her face which I would be able to stagger when I'm coming up to it. I did have a few noticeable page lines (to me) on the red riding hood finish, and once it was washed, dried and ironed the lines went away. One question I did have after working on parking a while, is what do you do when you come to the end of a page? Do you look to the next page and park there where it is on the next one? Or tie off and complete the current page, then start all over with fresh threads on the next page? Just curious what you do in that situation :)
Jennifer Apodaca I actually look up the next page and park my threads where they will go. Sometimes it feels like a hassle, especially when my GoodReader app is in slow mo but I just don't feel right with finishing them off. :) x
Has to come back and watch again. This really makes me want to work on my BAP now and try parking! But I have the save the stitches sal starting tomorrow and Peter Rabbit which I must finish in two weeks. Then I can try parking. Thanks again, loved your video :)
Haha! So glad I can encourage you - that's what I'm here for :) I started my STS SAL in the early hours this morning - not sure about my choice of black fabric... but maybe my eyes are just still tired.
If you have any questions re: parking, feel free to ask.
Happy stitching :) x
Ive only just come across parking, (Just started learning to cross stitch at the start of the year) Im just about to start my first big piece and it seemed kinda daunting before I saw this method, you explained it wonderfully, Thank you, I'll be giving it a go!
Colleen Cruise Thanks so much Colleen - it means a lot to me when I can de-mystify things for people and show that they're actually easier than they look! Happy stitching :) x
Thank you SO much for this tutorial! It really helped me out. I was already parking but using your two highlighting method has helped with the parking. Love it!
I can't thank you enough for this lesson! I tend to suffer from decision paralysis when it comes to "OMG what stitch do I do next?!" and I quite like the idea of just doing a 10x10 at a time. There is a large project I have been eyeing for months and this method makes it seem like something I can actually accomplish! I would probably have to add in grid marks just so I wasn't triple counting stitches and holes, but I could just do a page at a time with that and not spend too much time on it.
Jessica Layne I don't know how I missed this message..... I'm so sorry! I make a point of answering every single message/question that gets sent to me. So my deepest apologies for the late response.
I'm so glad you found the technique helpful, and yes by all means, add grids lines if it helps you. I'm just way to impatient for that lol! I did complete a large project many years ago (along the same style as a HAED, but still considerably smaller than my Blue Dragon). I stitched it the conventional way and it took me forever..... if only I'd known about this technique back then, I would have many more large projects completed by now.
Please let me know how you go, and if you have any further questions, please ask.
Happy stitching :) x
Thank you soooo much for sharing. I really appreciate you showing the back of your work. I recently created a few patterns myself from some artwork that I loved and it was full of confetti and like you I did some research and combined different techniques I found and came up with a way to park that was good for me. I did wonder if my back was supposed to look that way and now I see its OK. I really enjoyed watching you stitch; keep you them coming. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to do a video of my own!
Thanks so much Lisa! I'm not sure what it is about stitchers not showing their backs! Why just show all the good stuff and not prepare others for the bad? How are newbies supposed to learn if they don't know what to expect? Oh well I took the plunge and I don't regret it. I'm very glad at least it's put your mind to rest - that was the aim of the video :) I'm so glad you found something that works for you too, isn't that also what it's all about?
Please do! You don't even need to show your face - I have many that I've subscribed to that I've never seen their face. In fact I have some where there's so much background noise you can hardly hear them and the lighting is so poor you really can't even see anything - but I still watch, because I'm that obsessed LOL! You could just start by showing your current WIPs and work from there. I love this community - so welcoming, and absolutely no pressure. Let me know if you do, so I can subscribe to you.
Thanks for watching, and happy stitching :) x
Carolyn, this is fantastic! Great tutorial on your method, and you do make parking seem less intimidating than it has looked thus far to me. I felt good enough about parking after watching this that I finally went to the HAED website this morning and made an account so I could start a wishlist. I think after the new year (I won't call it a resolution, but...yeah) I'll get one of those patterns kitted up give it a go. Thanks for posting this.
Just one?!?!? Hahaha you should see my HAED wish list..... and not to mention the one's I've already bought! Oh dear!
Thank you so much - it's a great feeling when you give someone a sense that they CAN do it and to at least give it a try.
When I first saw parking I thought "What on earth is that? What is all that thread hanging off their fabric? Are they crazy? Is there some new way of stitching, that I've been missing out on?" Curious as I am, I had to investigate further. That process led me to HAEDs and a whole new world of stitching opened up for me. I can't tell you how happy I am with my stitching journey now. It's definitely re-ignited my passion.
Have fun on the HAED website - and remember to check your watch occasionally...... because time does fly on there lol! All the best on trying this technique, and if you have any further questions I'll be more than happy to help, if I can.
Happy stitching :) x
Very interesting! This gets me motivated to actually finish some of the projects I've lost steam on.
Thank you for this video. Great explainations for parking which I have never done. I have heard of the loop method but never used it but I will now.
Thanks for the video, I now see how easy it is and will help me with my projects, your videos are very clear and informative, best wishes
+Hedgerow Stitching Thank you very much - I'm glad you found it helpful :)
Happy stitching :) x
Thanks! This was an excellent tutorial :D I am currently trying to find the parking method that works for me. Parking makes stitching a HAED much easier!
I agree Chloe. I stitched a Mystic Stitch piece years ago, and although it wasn't anywhere near as big as my dragon, it was still a sizeable piece. I stitched it how I would normally stitch, by colour over each page. I remember making so many mistakes because I mis-counted, and it took forever to stitch! If only I knew about this technique back then it would have been so much easier.
Merry Christmas and Happy stitching :) x
Thank you for your video! It was so helpful to me in understanding the cross country/parking method
your video was such a huge help! I've never hear of parking before, I'm guessing it would be easier to start this technique with a few thread for eg 5 threads for a 10 by 10.
Thanks so much!! I too am in Aust so helpful to hear someone 'without' an accent talking and describing - its amazing how differently ppl from other countries communicate things.
Thank you so much for filming this & especially for showing the back!
Great video, can't wait to start my first HAED. Thank you!!
Thanks! Are you starting on the 1st Dec with the SAL?
No I'm not, but have purchased a few and will start in the near future, sometime in 2015.
Anyola Stitcher That's great - it's hard to stop at just one isn't it? There's so many great designs on that site.
Happy stitching :) x
Loved this video. It is interesting to see other people's techniques. xx
Thanks Kerry :) x
Thank you so much for your help and advice it's been really helpful.
Really interesting video... Had never heard the term parking in Cross stitch... You learn something new everyday! :-)
Great video, I am going to have to dig Elf and her pet out again tomorrow and give this a go! :) can't wait to see more from you! :)
Thanks so much! I'm glad to have inspired you - please let me know if it works for you.
Happy stitching :) x
I’m starting w new project and it’s the first time i do my own drawing. I never planned or made a chart or anything. I just improvised. This is the first time i see a planning technique
amazing that can be done so well the design talk about attention to detail and following your pattern and being patient
+sam111880 Thank you so much! x
Thank you thank you thank you! I'm working on a huge, completely filled in design and it has been a slog. I tried both your 10x10 grid technique with the parking last night, and I got SO much done! Brilliant!
MissCritiki That's awesome! I'm so happy you found it helpful and that it sped things up a bit for you. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback on this. Happy stitching :) x
Great tutorial Carolyn, I never grid any of my work either( I am old school) look forward to your next videos happy stitching xx
Thank you, and thanks for watching :) x
Hi Carolyn,
I thread my needle by pushing the loop end through the eye of the needle. Works most of the time. Easier than threading the 2 ends through the eye, at least for me. Love your vids.
+xx courtr5877 I use that method sometimes with the metallic threads... after the ends have started fraying, it's near impossible to get them through the eye.
Thanks so much hun. Happy stitching :) x
Previous parking method videos have not made sence to me. Yours however I think I could do. Still building up myself up to do one lol. It won't be long nowthat I have watched your brilliant video. Thank you. Happy stitching☺
This is so helpful and helped me really understand the idea of parking. Thank you!!
Thank you for showing this video....I may be willing to try to stitch a HAED now :)
+Judy Hewlett Oh I truly hope that you do. HAEDs are very intimidating, I know... but they are really quite simple to stitch. Just full crosses, no fractionals... they are just REALLY BIG lol! If you're still a bit nervous, I suggest maybe starting with a QS (Quick Stitch) or a Bookkeep , both of which are much smaller in size and will give you a feel for the type of stitching required. Best of luck :) x
Thank you for sharing, I will have to try this method.
Thank you for sharing! As you know, I'm planning to do my first parking with the HAED SAL starting Dec 1. I was also planning to do my parking pretty much the way you just showed us. So this video helped me see how it truly works.
However, I was going to grid, in fact, I have started the gridding. But it has turned out to be very tedious indeed. Now that I have watched you I'm thinking the gridding would be more trouble than it is worth. I'm thinking I may now just back all the gridding out and save that for some other project (Maybe try adding grid to one of my current WIPs that has a lot of confetti!) I could leave the grid that is in already, but I started the gridding from the center and if I park without gridding I would simply start at the first square in the top left and measure out my margins. the centered grid that is already started would be off that count by a few squares. But, fortunately I have only gridded about 5 rows - there are probably 20 non-gridded - so not a major loss of time & effort..
Thanks again for sharing! Looking forward to your future videos!
I've heard a few people mention the HAED SAL - is that with the Friends of HAED group?
Liz Smith No, this SAL is an event in a faceboojk group - Cross Stitch And Discuss!!! #2 facebook.com/groups/1472303669668947/
With this SAL everyone participating selects their own preference for what pattern to stitch. No one starts stitching until Dec. 1, 2014. We post our Day 1 progress that day and then just post progess pictures as we go along (about once a week). There is no end date since some people are stitching very VERY large patterns. I myself chose a mini pattern, but my finished project will still be 12x17 on 20ctAida.
The group also has another SAL that will start Jan. 1, 2015 - that one will be a Save The Stitches Blackwork SAL. For the Save the Stitches everyone will be stitching the same pattern.
Redonna Leckie
Thanks for the info! That sounds like a lot of fun!
Oh no. Maybe try it on a scrap piece of fabric first. I know a lot of stitchers prefer to grid, so I don't want to influence your decision to change, incase you don't like it. I would suggest maybe trying both and see which one you prefer. I have never gridded and when I tried this technique I fell in love straight away, so I didn't need to make the choice. Who knows, maybe I would actually enjoy stitching with gridding - BUT having said that, I don't have the patience to grid the fabric. I just want to start stitching the design straight away lol! A lot of people seem to use the pre-gridded Aida that you can buy too, which would obviously save a stack of time.
I'd be very interested in hearing what you end up doing. Happy stitching :) x
I'm just getting back into x-stitch so I'm looking for helpful videos because I only used Aida and simpler designs. I love the Mirabilia mermaids which made me want to start again. This was very helpful. I'm still searching for a demo of 2 over 2 on Laguna, Belfast or something similar. My stitches just look twisted and I'm trying the railroad method which slows me down but if it would look neat, it would be worth it. I just learned the loop method and now I'm excited to try it from the front! Thanks.
Best tutorial ever! Thank you sooo much!
Great tutorial! I am going to post a link to your video on my blog if you don't mind, for anyone who is interested in learning how to park. I am parking on my haed but I had seen someone show how they were doing it diagonally... maybe Xstitch Judith ?...? I can't remember and I think she has gotten rid of her blog. Anyway I love parking, and I agree with you on losing the passion on these big projects. I am enjoying my big ones again since I started parking. It was really neat to see how you do it. And your stitching is beautiful!
Hi Khristine, that sounds fantastic.... thank you so much!!! :D
Yes I also heard of the diagonal method, but I haven't seen it yet. So glad you're enjoying your stitching again - sometimes all it takes is a new method to spark that passion :)
Thank you for the lovely comments, they are really appreciated :)
Happy stitching :) x
wow that starting technique was very helpful!!
Thank you Ebbie - I'm glad you found it helpful. I hope you give it a try one day.
Thanks for watching and happy stitching :) x
Thanks so much for this video! I have a HAED that I keep starting but end up getting tangled tread everywhere. I'm going to start it over again with 1 over 1 instead of 2 over one as it suggested.
Hi there! A lot of cross stitchers use 1 over 1 on HAEDs. What fabric count are you using? I prefer to use 2 strands because I like to use the loop method to start. Stitching 1 over 1 would definitely be easier to begin using the parking method, as you said, less threads to get tangled.
I wish you luck - if you have any questions, please ask.
Happy stitching :) x
Great explanation but the back of the piece would drive me insane! When I first learned to cross stitch I learned from a tiny book that said the back of your piece should be as neat as the front and I live by that couldn't stitch this way. I love cross stitch because of its super neatness so I just cant even :P Great video though!
cortex19518 gees!! I am jealous!! Ive always heard that the back should be as neat as the front. So far Ive never even come close to accomplishing it. Is there some secret I ve missed???
@@nancydubin9328 use the 'loop' method to start...
Very well done. Thank you. Learned so much.