using variegated thread

[noodle-bug]

So, I'm a reasonably experianced needlewoman, but I only just started using variegated thread, so I've been looking for any tips or tricks to use them and still retain a good gradiated colour change, with various stitches. I can't seem to find any tutorials so would love it if anyone could recommend any, or even if you just have any tips to share?

[Listessa]

Are you using it for cross stitch?
I recently read about variegated thread in some cross stitch magazine- if you want a more blended approach to the changes stitch each X completely rather than the usual method of a row of / then coming back with the other side \.
It also said to practice various ideas to help get a feel for the variegated stuff before jumping into a project. 

Hope it helps!

[noodle-bug]

thanks for the tip I cross stitch as well as doing other kinds of embroidery, so any tips for any stitches or just general advice is all appreciated

[kittykill]

That's what I did for a cross stitch I was working on. Did an X instead of / and coming back. It took longer but kept the color flowing.

[ThéaOz]

thanks for the tip I cross stitch as well as doing other kinds of embroidery, so any tips for any stitches or just general advice is all appreciated

The general tip is to do stitch after stitch, like that, it's evoluting. You can't do row of cross stitch with it for instance.

For traditional embroidery it's the same, thing the design on its whole and move progressively from a point to another one, don't make rows.

Hope it helped

[tiathyme]

I've used variegated threads quite a bit and have come up with quite a complicated system. I like gentle colour changes so when cross stitching I stitch each X, not back and forth along the row /// \\\.

When I cut the thread off the skein I try to make the start and end of the treads similar colours (within reason, otherwise knots! bleh!). I then alternate which end of the thread I start from.

If this is the tread:

A- cut from skein                                                     B - end of skein
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd start stitching with two strands of thread with the B end as the tail (the last stitches of those strands are at the A end).
Then I'd stitch with A as the tail, so the tail blends with the last stitches from the last strand.
Then I'd stitch with B as the tail and finish with A. The next cut off the skein will then blend with these stitches.

For the next batch of six strands, just do it all over again!

Okay, that's really complicated... But I hope it helps somewhat.