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.)
[poll id=”4″]
Also, please let me know how you stitch and how you learned.
[poll id=”5″]
Thank you. More graphs and analysis to come, promise. 😉
Needleworker, Knitter, Crocheter, Sewist, Paper Crafter, 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. 🙂