Tapestry

Either take the wool through the backs of the previous stitches, or if that won't be enough to hold it, leave a couple of inches of wool at the back and cover them with the backs of stitches done later. If there are more stitches the same colour quite near the few that you have done, you could stitch those too before finishing off the wool, but that gets a bit like a jigsaw puzzle if it happens often.

Hit a problem. Have looked on uTube, no help. Bought a small kit to practice on. Great until I reached the butterflies.
How is it possible to stitch 4 stitch in one colour, start and finish off the wool?

I have no choice Fennel, I only have the use of thumb and forefinger on my left hand (I am left handed ) and thumb and two fingers on the right, couldn’t hold canvas, never mind , I now have tapestry to do ?

Annie I never used a frame.
I also got a book out of the library about embroidery stitches and used some of those, as well as the usual method.

Thank you Elegran what a great idea x

You don't need to be able to draw. To transfer a picture to tapestry canvas, sit in a good light near the window, lay the canvas over the picture so that you can just see it through the holes, and draw round the outlines with a felt tip. Choose a pen of a fairly pale neutral colour that won't show through. It just needs to show you where to put which colour wool. If you keep the picture handy you can refer to it as you go to see where the detail goes.

One more question and I will shut up , until I am stuck again !

I have been reading so much on tapestry and came across this -

If your canvas is too wide to fit the frame turn the canvas on it’s side . !

thank you Ngaiol

If you google Beth Russell and request a brochure you will see that she does heavenly designs! I also buy from Ehrman, who will send a catalogue to you. Exquisite designs.

Oh come on Annie - your usual answer.
"I can't do it because....."
A 3 year old can draw a house, a 5yr old a tree, a 6yr old a sheep.
Anyway I hope you find a site with tapestry kits.

I am definitely not gifted when it comes to drawing Fennel, even in art classes I was the one who sat and sharpened the pencils ?

Newcastle is a little too far from Powys ?

ps sheep are easy - lots of french knots in white wool .

I used to enjoy tapestry with wool. There's an old fashioned craft stall in the indoor market in Newcastle which has all the things you need. But you can't get there Annie.
Why don't you order the canvas and wools online and draw your own picture?
I'm no artist but made a basic picture of a stone cottage in a valley with a few trees and flowers, and a few sheep in the foreground. Had it framed and it's hanging in our dining room.
I might take up tapestry again.

I knitted for many years, took orders, knitted for a wool shop then designed and sold knitwear at craft fairs, I loved doing that, used yarn from Italy. When I semi retired I took up cross stitching , entered my work in local shows, even won a couple of times, I loved stitching ‘All our Yesterdays,

Then wretched arthritis and low vision made stitching too difficult. I am so looking forward to my next hobby , my younger daughter has already chosen cushions she wants

Thank you so much

8Annie* I do hope you enjoy it. I do. I took it up because, being cack-handed it was something I could do and have a pleasing result. My knitting is visibly uneven and my embroidery equally so.

Ironing over a damp cloth when a piece was finished to get it into shape for (usually) a cushion always made it look good

Thank you so much MOnica, my younger daughter has bought me a lap frame from Amizon, I read the questions and answers but was puzzled about folding each side, surely one would have double canvas each side.

So the stand arrives Monday and I am looking forward to getting back to having a hobby again, I have been lost without stitching.

I so grateful for all the help and advice x

I prefer to attach one side as normal and then tack the second side part of the way across the canvas, leaving the excess canvas loose, but then fold and clip it with clothes pegs, then when you have done the work on the frame, undo the tapestry and attach the remaining unstitched canvas to the frame as normal and tack the stitched canvas to the side part way across and fold and peg as before.

If the tapestry fits top to bottom, but is too wide, for example a long narrow cushion like a bolster, then turn the tapestry through 90 degrees so that the pattern is sideways on the frame. If you are copying a pattern rather than working on a canvas with the design painted on, then make sure you use the pattern at 90 degrees as well. Ifit is in a book, photocopy and put in an acetate cover.

Sorry me again. Looking on Amazon for lap stands, there was a question about canvas wider than a lap stand, the reply was - I fold each side of my canvas so it fits .

Can this be done successfully?

MOnica, so many amazing patterns, thank you

There are a huge range of bargello patterns. Just google 'bargello patterns'

What I enjoy is choosing the pattern to follow and then choosing my range of colours, not necessarily following the colours used in the example.

Annie I started with bargello and am (very, very slowly) making a bargello chair cover. It is quick and easy, although I always do it on a frame.

No I haven’t SueDonim, will look at it , thank you

Seeing the mention of Killer Sudoku, Annie, have you tried Kakuro? It's a different type of number puzzle but just as engrossing.

Thank you jusnoneed , a choice there

You can get seat ones too Annie, you place on your chair and sit on the base. There are also lap ones shown on this site.

mariescrossstitch.co.uk/accessories/lap-and-seat-stands/