So, did you have a chance to vote in my “Which Stitch Do You Stitch?”? If not, please head over here and add your vote.
Which stitch do you stitch?
As I am writing this post, it looks like approximately 70% of you stitch like the bottom row and 30% of you stitch like the top row. And, for those of you who are curious, I stitch like the bottom row. 😉
There were a lot of theories about why we stitch the way we do. Some people suggested it was regional, some suggested it had to do with handiness or if we were self-taught or learned from a friend. In my case, I was self-taught, and I don’t remember looking at a book for directions. I knew I was supposed to make Xs that all went in the same direction, and so I did. The oldest project I could find was from 1996, and my Xs were made the same then as they are today.
I do have a habit of doing things a little bit backwards. My dad is left-handed and he taught me to use tools, and so I sometimes do things with my right hand, but in a sort of awkward left-handed way. It is hard to explain, but if you have ever seen me fumbling around trying to do a simple task you would understand what I mean. My husband is also left-handed (although, he is really functionally ambidextrous) so my confusion continues.
So, in light of some of these suggestions, let’s ask a few more questions. First, how do you stitch and are you left-handed or right-handed? (Top row and bottom row refer to the picture at the top of this post.)
Loading ...Also, please let me know how you stitch and how you learned.
Loading ...Thank you. More graphs and analysis to come, promise. 😉
Needleworker, Knitter, Crocheter, Sewist, Cricuteer, and more!
bottom row–I am right-handed and my sister taught me years ago–so we both stitch in the same direction
Top row, r-handed, taught by both Mum and Gran (Gran had more patience) and both said “it doesn’t matter, so long as you are consistent”
I once saw a pattern that insisted you stitch like bottom row; I never tried it – life’s too short and there are too many other things to stitch 🙂
I also stitch two handed…left hand from the top and right from the bottom.
Hmmm interesting survey!!!
My mum taught me how to stitch when I was about 5 (and had chicken pox) but I don’t remember her saying stitch this way or that – then again I don’t remember much else from being five. Also I’m ambidextrous (although predominately write with my right hand) – just to throw out into the equation (I stitch like the top row).
I wanted to add that if I’m using my floor stand, I stitch with both hands — right hand on top of the needlework and the left hand under the needlework. Anyone else use both hands when using a floor stand?
I am right handed but I do alot of things left-handed, eating for example and wrapping up flowers (I used to work in a greengrocers that sold flowers too). I also do the macarena left-handed – eg putting my left arm out first while everyone else puts their right. Maybe I’m just awkward with that though!
My older sister taught me how to cross stitch when I was 13 and I haven’t looked back since. Making a picture come “alive” on a piece of cloth is fascinating to me.
Voted in both. Totally self taught, not even via a book. Right-handed. And I stitch with the top thread \.
Top row for me, right handed and self-taught. I watched a video and the directions has the \ first then / so I went with that and it looks just as good as the other way around. 🙂