Sprite Stitch Board!

I have no stitchings. I admit it. I'm a little bit ashamed.

One thing that gets in my way is apparent time needed to stitch. I can't say much, given my intro to crafting via latch hook, but it seems like cross-stitching just takes forever!! Then last night I discovered stitched bookmarks. I have some other things I'm trying to figure out how to pull off, but info and materials are hard to come by with my other ideas, and cross-stitching stuff seems to be quite abundant. I mean, in a month from now when I've managed to swing some of my other crafts a bit, I can have a sweet homemade nintendo bookmark, or I can have none. The choice is obvious.

Friends, I've been fighting this, but here is your chance to drag me into a presumably addictive world. I think I can handle this bookmark stuff. I mean, how time consuming can it be? That's my first legitimate question, by the way. I dare not try one of these map projects, much as I'd love to have one. But about how long would it take for a brand new stitcher to figure out what's going on and stitch himself a cute li'l bookmark? And what should this aspiring stitcher get as far as materials? Are certain flosses better than others? Are certain thread counts for the elite, to be avoided by people like me? And how on Earth do you make a bunch of Xs look like they fill all the space, and why can you sometimes see all the gaps in their interruptive glory? And what else should I wonder?

It honestly depends on the size.
If you go with NES sprites, they are a lot smaller thus take less time.
If you go with SNES, it can take a lot longer.
My advice would be to not stitch backgrounds and just stick with individual sprites.
Bookmarks are a good small project to work on, maybe do a few small sprites in a row for example.
Some stitchings look fuller because more strands are used at once.
Unfortunately, the best way to figure out what you like best is to experiment!
Stitching shouldn't be a chore, especially when you are stitching something you are interested in (i.e., Nintendo).
Hopefully you will not find cross stitch so daunting if you start small and hopefully we will see some projects from you in the future!

Got some Mario 3 action going on here, or, as I like to call it, "I got tired of not going with any of my crafty ambitions so I found a pattern on here and went to a store and grabbed some stuff that looked rightish and kinda just guessed what to do when I pulled it all out and raced right along for about an hour and a half and it's fun enough but good gracious I'd better figure out some better way to do this or it's gonna look ridiculous and take forever!!!" action.
They didn't have black at the store. That seems to be a theme with craft materials. They do make black, right?


Oh, and it's even awesomer from behind. What knots are those, you ask? Bah, I say. Who needs knots? Make a big enough mess of the floss, and it'll hold itself. And yes, I did red, then cream, then green. Visible improvement, that's what I'm talkin' about!

So really I was completely guessing at how to do this. I guessed on the needles and backing. There was only one option for floss, so hopefully that's right. Any blaring issues anybody sees just from looking that I could fix, or shall I keep winging it and see what happens? [Thanks, by the way, riotpatch. You talked me out of starting waaay too hardcore. I think I'll stick to NES sprites for a bit. Maybe even go for some first generation mario before going much further!]

Yes, there is black. Its DMC colour code 310.
I have noticed a few things. Firstly, you are using all the threads in the floss (the stuff you stitch with), split the thread up into 3 sets of 2 strands, and stitch which those, it'll be a lot easier, and neater.
I've also noticed you are using embroidery needles. They're sharp and rather long, you'd be better off using a tapestry needle (basically blunt and smaller). For the size, if you are using 14 count (14 stitches per inch) then use a size 24 needle.
As for the back and knots, stitch one of the strands under one of the backs of the stitches, then tie a knot in the two strands left hanging. That'll make it neater and not as bumpy on the front when you're done.
I would also suggest loosening the hoop slightly. You could get warping if you're doing larger projects. It won't have much effect now, but when/if you get into cross stitching it'll be good practice.

They're all quite small things, but it'll make it look better. Otherwise, well done, it looks good.

If you don't have the patience to go to the library (which I totally get) then take 15 min and look up 'how to cross stitch' for the basics. I LOVE your enthusiasm, which is the first thing necessary, now you just need some knowledge to back it up. Sometimes you may feel like but when you finish you will feel like a . Oh yeah, and never forget to ask for .

Welcome to the world of stitching! (Or if cross stitch gets crazy - look up the perler bead projects. They're no less impressive and still fill me with awe.)

hee - I am betting nobody believes I'm a stitcher either since I haven't posted anything on the site yet. I just haven't had anything to post up, since I've given all the rest away.