Backstitch question!

[Ally]

Normally I avoid back-stitch like the plague, mostly because I'm very, very slack and slow enough as it is! However a pattern I'm stitching up as a Christmas gift is kind of minimalist in design and is entirely back-stitched with only a bit of cross stitch peppered through out, which brings be to my very silly question; is back-stitching typically worked with one strand or two?

[jadely]

All patterns I've worked say 2 strands for cross stitches and 1 for back stitching. I honestly just stitch a little bit and decide if I want it thicker. I also typically cross stitch with 3 strands and like most of my work "chunkier" if that makes any sense

[MeiTow]

Backstitching is usually done with one strand. However, since the whole pattern is mostly backstiching, I see no problem with doing it with two. If you want to see what one strand looks like with a mostly backstitched piece, take a look at my challenge entry last month (4th Dalek that was done with blackwork).

[blackmageheart]

Concurring with above peeps to say that generally it's done in one strand. However, I mostly do backstitching in two strands because I like it a little more bold!

[SofaraStarfyre]

Concurring with above peeps to say that generally it's done in one strand. However, I mostly do backstitching in two strands because I like it a little more bold!

I agree with everyone else. I like BMH, tend to use two strands as I like a more bold border or outline.

[kuja.girl]

If you cross stitch with 2 threads you usually backstitch with 1 but in the end it comes down to personal style. If I'm doing something cartoony and it needs bold outlines I'll do 2 or 3 threads (depending on the fabric count) otherwise I usually stick with one.

If it's mostly backstitch then I would use two strands, but really it depends on the fabric count as much as how "bold" you want it.

[Ally]

Thanks everyone! I ended up using two strands and I'm liking how it's turning out so far