At the Steps, third time lucky

Now i have my magnifying lamp i decided to give 25 count another try.  I was doing 2x1 tent on At the Steps  on 18 count and wasn't altogether happy with the coverage.  I experimented and found placing my needle through the holes of fabric was actually much easier than the 18 count Aida.  Using my magnifier was much easier.

So I pulled out my mini At the steps that had been started on 25 count and continued.   For this one,  I am using the typewriter method, per page.   I had already done 1029 stitches and increased it to 1630 in one afternoon.   On my 18 count I had reached 2730 stitches, so I not too far behind where I was.

I am finding the typewriter method so much faster than diagonal parking.

yet another plan change

I was not enjoying stitching on 25 CT fabric. I had a small clip on magnifier that i constantly had to move to get into the correct position.    I decided to restart on 20 count.  That meant a trip to The Ribbon Rose for fabric.  They had a sale on magnifying lamps, so I treated myself to a Triumph Led light magnifier.

What a difference this has made.  I can see the stitches much more clearly and enjoying it much more.  You can see the tiny start I made on At the Steps. 

Before purchasing fabric, I had a small piece of 20 count that is just big enough for Iris Keeper, so tested that first. I did a mix of tent and full cross and decided i enjoyed full cross much more. I will stick with full cross in future.

Before the HAED  sale ended, I ended up buying another chart.

Mini The winter reading nook, by Aimee Stewart.  I may start this on Christmas day instead of childhood sweethearts