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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Cross Stitch Question  |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
8402 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
8402 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 16 2026 : 3:02:08 PM
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My current cross stitch project is my biggest project yet. Because of all the details and different stitch counts I have been using a hoop. Once the project requires the hoop to be moved, do you hook the hoop over the already made stitches? Wont that ruin the stitches? I am just not sure how to go about moving the hoop around now that stitches are already made. I will share a picture showing how I am getting closer to the edges.
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
8402 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
8402 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2026 : 3:04:44 PM
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Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2636 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2636 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2026 : 6:35:03 PM
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Krista -- what is the diameter of the hoop? I have an 8 inch hoop I could send you if it is larger than yours. I don't need my hoops since arthritis doesn't allow hand sewing anymore.
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 6/24 12/25
I'm old and I wear purple |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
4009 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
4009 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2026 : 8:03:14 PM
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The hoop can be moved and clamped over stitches already made as long as the base beneath those stitches is not stretched.
Marie
Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014 and August 2024
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1777 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1777 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2026 : 02:46:13 AM
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Thank you Marie, I was waiting to hear the answer to the question as well.
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Farm Girl #3677
Farmgirl of the Month: Aug/2022
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4575 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4575 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2026 : 03:31:16 AM
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Don't know if it makes a difference, but I always was told to take the hoop off, when you are done stitching for the day. That way you don't end up with hoop lines on your project.
Farming in WI
Michele
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2026 : 10:22:26 AM
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All good information. I hadn't heard that, Michele, but it does make sense.
And I thought you could move the hoop over stitches but did not know about stretching. How do you keep from slightly stretching the stitches that the hoop is over?
On our Viking Ocean cruise last month I bought a cross stitch kit to do on board. I did not finish it but will take it on our March cruise since we have 10 sea days on our way to Barcelona from Florida. I did not use a hoop, since they did not sell a hoop in the ship store where I bought the kit.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX
Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month
August 2015, April 2017 and June 2023
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Edited by - quiltee on Feb 17 2026 10:25:03 AM |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2636 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2636 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2026 : 11:51:17 AM
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I think any lines left could be removing by lightly steaming.
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 6/24 12/25
I'm old and I wear purple |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2636 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2636 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2026 : 12:07:11 PM
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I bought a needlework kit on a three week Panama cruise that had a lot of at sea days due to not being able to stop at any Mexican ports due to swine flu. It gave me many happy hours sitting on the balcony sewing. I didn't have a hoop either. I just blocked it when I got back home and it turned out fine.
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 6/24 12/25
I'm old and I wear purple |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
4009 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
4009 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2026 : 3:49:15 PM
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I rarely use a hoop for cross stitch. The idea is to start stitching in the middle of the pattern. I find that spot on the pattern then measure or lightly crease the fabric to find the middle there. A person can fill the hoop, then move up, down or side to side and make certain if you have to stretch the fabric, do it on a side that doesn't have stitches on it yet. Sometimes the tension will have to be adjusted where the stitches have been placed so just be careful.
Marie
Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014 and August 2024
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
8402 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
8402 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2026 : 1:20:06 PM
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Judith, that is so kind of you, but my hoop is an 8 inch.
Michele, I have never heard that either. I will have to start taking mine off. Thank you.
It almost sounds like it's better to not use a hoop. I normally don't use a hoop, but I decided to this time just because of the size. Maybe I will just take the hoop off and finish it without one.
Thanks for all the tips!
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2026 : 1:52:48 PM
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While searching for UFO projects to finish I found an older cross-stitch kit I had never started and another embroidery kit I have barely started (this is one of old cars I was going to make for Ed). I also have a cross-stitch quilt my mother started and I may get that one done, though I am not sure what to do with it when I finish.
I also have 5 framed cross-stitch pictures that I bought at a thrift shop. Being a crafter myself, I have been known to "rescue" someone's beautiful work when for some reason it has been donated to a thrift shop. Unfortunately, people really don't know the value of hand-made projects.
Pictures of 4 of my “rescued” framed cross-stitch projects. The other is a Halloween poem and it must be packed with the Halloween decs.
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Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX
Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month
August 2015, April 2017 and June 2023
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Edited by - quiltee on Jun 07 2026 2:14:49 PM |
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Audra Rose
True Blue Farmgirl
2561 Posts
Vanessa
Brooksville
KY
USA
2561 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2026 : 2:37:06 PM
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Lovely! I feel sad when I see something handcrafted like that in a thrift store, and wonder about the crafter and who she gave it to. I used to do Mary Engelbreit"s cross stitch patterns, but my eyesight is not as good anymore.
Vanessa
Farmgirl Sister #6754
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2026 : 2:42:58 PM
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I know what you mean about eyesight. And the printed cross-stitch is easier than the counted - probably because the Xs are larger. LOL!
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX
Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month
August 2015, April 2017 and June 2023
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
4009 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
4009 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2026 : 2:43:49 PM
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Those are beautiful. I also rescue crocheted afghans which now appear less and less often in thrift stores which I hope is a good thing. A place I am finding lightly used blankets is in places where they are abandoned by those who do not have shelter. I take them in, give them a nice bath, repair any wounds, embellish their scars and give them a nice shelf to rest on until they are used. One of the afghans is my dogs nesting blanket.
Marie
Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014 and August 2024
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2026 : 2:49:09 PM
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I also have rescued quilts and afghans. I would love to find a nice granny square one to take apart and make a sweater. Granny square sweaters are very popular now. I have a granny square afghan my mother made, and it has enough squares for a sweater. It has been washed many times but would make a comfortable sweater. That may be one of my next UFO projects.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX
Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month
August 2015, April 2017 and June 2023
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2636 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2636 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2026 : 4:31:07 PM
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One of our favorite blankets was found alongside highway 99 late one night. We named it Freeway.
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 6/24 12/25
I'm old and I wear purple |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
7648 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
7648 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2026 : 4:49:30 PM
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Those are so pretty Linda ad I certainly understand how much work goes into a piece.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022, August 2025
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9776 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2026 : 07:26:18 AM
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I rescue handmade items whenever possible. Makes me sad to see that someone disposed of someone else's work. Better to be given to the thrift stores and not just tossed in the trash.
~Denise
Sister #43~
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured." 
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - levisgrammy on Jun 08 2026 07:27:36 AM |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2026 : 08:09:05 AM
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Those of us who make handmade items greatly appreciate the time and effort put into making them. I, too, am sad people dispose of handmade items. I am glad there are rescuers like us who will save and enjoy them.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX
Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month
August 2015, April 2017 and June 2023
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
8402 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
8402 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2026 : 1:45:44 PM
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Linda, I love your rescued cross stitches.
It makes me sad as well when you see so many of these beautiful things just tossed aside. Someone put a lot of work, time, and love into them. I know that I have with my own projects.
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2026 : 5:55:05 PM
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That's neat that you found a blanket, Judith. My husband found a nice cowboy hat in the middle of the road.
Farmgirl hugs,
Linda
Terrell, TX
Farm girl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month
August 2015, April 2017 and June 2023
"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Cross Stitch Question |
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Cross Stitch Question
