Post B1vCJtDPianPy5b7AG by APBBlue@thepit.social
 (DIR) More posts by APBBlue@thepit.social
 (DIR) Post #B1v6h1UYVsLAZZGNt2 by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-01-03T21:18:37Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Do you want to design a cross-stitch pattern? This website is neat. Now to try to figure out how to print this. If it works it could be fun to make different species. I think I'd like to see how small I can make the patterns. Since I am very lazy and won't complete a big complex project. There are also sites that will convert photos, but the results look like waaaay too much work to really make. #fiberArts #crossStitch https://flosscross.com/
       
 (DIR) Post #B1v78UXccFgaUEnNbM by tarmot@mementomori.social
       2026-01-03T21:23:31Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird I recommend to try https://www.stitchfiddle.com too. I use it to very many different craft projects.
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vAr4VSYkOCdPjW0u by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-01-03T22:05:11Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @rhempel I am very tempted by this. Once I try this little project I'll have a sense of if we could do it. One thing I can't figure out is how to have everyone involved in the design? Maybe we have each student modify the frame a little ... that could work.
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vBhm5ZlXTOrUkzNg by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-01-03T22:14:47Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       The fabric used for #crossstitch (if you want a neat grid) is called 'AIDA' I thought there would be a service that would print pattern (*.json or *.oxs  files? there seem to be many formats)This isn't really a thing. Oh yes, they will do it for *photos* but, I think precision printing that lines up with the grid is a challenge. (Also most pattern designers are more experienced than I am. They seem to just count it out... or they use iron-on patterns which sounds hard.)I will try counting.
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vBrqmNBMTcIvZyim by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-01-03T22:16:34Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I was hoping I could just send off the file and get the whole kit bundled together with a printed fabric pattern, floss of the right colors and a little hoop.But, I will need to do that myself. So I might make some extra kits to give as gifts. Who wouldn't want to contemplate an ant in this way. The plan* continues!*promoting ants
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vC12Ugzp1BF9guIa by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-01-03T22:18:16Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I feel like many craft people underestimate the laziness of beginners. Things like "buying floss" are very intimidating. But it shall be done.
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vCGmXc4nHCOqZ1M0 by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-01-03T22:21:02Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @goaty Do you just make your patterns without a guide? How do you do that?
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vCJtDPianPy5b7AG by APBBlue@thepit.social
       2026-01-03T22:21:38Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but DMC's website has free patterns, but you can also create a kit and order the floss you need to complete the patterns. Pretty cool! https://www.dmc.com/US/en/patterns?q=
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vCM9GR1KOkK05VJI by kate@aus.social
       2026-01-03T22:22:01Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird It’s not just laziness, it’s also just fright. My daughter navigates the local craft warehouse store with gamer confidence. She darts down aisles and round corners with me scampering after her feeling completely lost. Suddenly there she is holding up a Very Specific Thing and we’re headed for the checkout and I’m still trying to figure out what anything is. Good luck with your project!
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vCyUKX9534f3HqD2 by lapis@elekk.xyz
       2026-01-03T22:28:58Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird RE: Intimidating-- not cross stitch but this is why I get irritated when people knock acrylic yarn in the Knitting or Crochet arenalike, you already have to invest a decent amount (at least one hook in Crochet, I imagine the same is true of knitting) and do you really want to drop 20+ dollars on wool or a wool blend (gonna be fully honest: It's frustrating to work with wool which is WHY I would not recommend it to be a beginner) and learn about matching dye lots (so your two azure blues look exactly the same next to each other) when you can spend 3 dollars on a Red Heart Super Saver that comes in every color and there are virtually few versions of Red Heart that have dye lots? because, spoiler: unless you are shopping with a pro next to you you are probably not gonna buy enough yarn.I mean I am sympathetic to the shed microplastics aspect (plus you have to be careful drying them, can't iron them for example) but I also think getting someone who has decided they like the hobby enough to invest more into it  is more important than getting someone to buy a merino sheep blend and getting turned off by the hobbyIf I knew more about cross stitch (I buy patterns sometimes but usually kits) I'd offer my help but good luck!
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vEEkWKolShSi7mEK by debcha@saturation.social
       2026-01-03T22:42:37Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird You can also buy fabric markers for temporary markings — some are water-soluble but I think you want the kind that fade with light exposure. You can draw directly on the Aida cloth and then stitch over your drawing (and then the markings will disappear). Might be worth investigating?
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vERYkdt2ggj0vPlY by Bumblefish@mastodon.scot
       2026-01-03T22:45:26Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird You trach math. You've got this! Patterns printed on cross stitch canvas is a relatively new/fancy thing, I think. Growing up it was just counting. It's very soothing. Until you realize you miscounted the start of your almost finished row and have to decide what to do about that. It's like coloring squares on grid paper to make s picture, or pretending to be a living dot matrix printer. Pixel art.
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vEn8NsbFUnJsZ82y by CarrieQ42@mastodon.social
       2026-01-03T22:49:16Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @futurebird Most folks count. Do yourself a favor and pencil in grid lines on your Aida (to match the grid lines on your pattern). It will make the counting so much easier.
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vFVsAJkOuS37YT2G by timtfj@mastodon.social
       2026-01-03T22:57:25Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird I like the eyes :-)
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vJNkkLqWPoXYnEx6 by purplewater@aus.social
       2026-01-03T23:40:45Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird I personally use flosscross.com to make patterns, then import the .oxs into stitchfiddle.com to track what has been completed so far. I have done 2 photo-realistic patterns so far and they are a lot of effort but look really good in my opinion when completed.It cannot be understated how useful it is to have something to track your progress. I use stitchfiddle as I stitch in front of my computer. Others recommend Pattern Keeper (for android only) which I believe is similar. When I was first stitching the photo of my dog, I was tracking progress through the pattern printed on paper and became stuck when I got to the second brown colour - I couldn't see what had been done and where I was up to. I was only able to complete this pattern using stitchfiddle
       
 (DIR) Post #B1vRnfcOKqCRnUwIbI by lufthans@mastodon.social
       2026-01-04T01:15:05Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird a few years ago @mlemweb led an interview of authors of a python library for cross stitch patterns on the #fossandcrafts podcastPerhaps they have a method for printing out the patterns like you wantAlso, perhaps the #FreeSoftWear community has suggestionsI think there's a #HackAndCraft call going on right now
       
 (DIR) Post #B1wcCVOMgciu1KorZY by patsytheshark@mastodon.ie
       2026-01-04T14:46:20Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @futurebird Honestly you promote ants very well, I am so much more interested in them than before And I've also taken an interest in other insects, especially moths