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Sunday, April 11, 2021

Great Wave Stitch-a-Long, part 2


Hi everyone! Not sure where the three weeks have gone! I'm just getting started on Hokusai's "Great Wave Off Kanagawa", which means there's not much to see. I love the original woodblock print, and the closer I look at the pattern, the more I learn about it. There are so many details to see! 

Here's where I was last time, just getting a tiny start: 


I soon realized that I really would need the gridlines I'd seen so many of the talented stitchers in this stitch-a-long use. I have in the past, on the small projects I've worked on, done the main central lines, but this piece is much larger than I am used to. 

I also realized that I would be better off with the frame rolled horizontally -- meaning I wouldn't have to reach so high around the frame.  So I took it off, re-mounted it, and stitched a lot of grid lines... every ten stitches. 

I really wasn't sure how big a piece to work on at a time; inspired by Japanese writing, I decided to work top to bottom, right to left, in columns. (Top half first, anyway...)


The colors are so subtle, but I love how they show the stormy sky. 


I only got one slightly wide (13 stitches, a per the pattern) column done, plus another one started. At this rate, you'll be seeing this project for the next 18 months!!! 

In the meantime, please visit the blogs of the other stitchers in this stitch-a-long. I know at least a couple of them are doing happy dances today because they have finished their most recent projects -- which is always inspiring!

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12 comments:

  1. ClaireApril 11, 2021 at 9:18 AM

    you're off to a great start, Sunny! I'll be gridding my next project too (which will be a first for me).

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    1. SunnyApril 11, 2021 at 7:02 PM

      Thanks Claire! The gridding was a little annoying, but I know it will be really helpful the larger the project gets!

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  2. Sewing Beside the SeaApril 11, 2021 at 10:06 AM

    You've done loads! I also like the stitching to be close as I work on it so I sew a strip of scrap fabric along the edge of the aida and then attach that to the frame. It works for me.

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    1. SunnyApril 11, 2021 at 7:08 PM

      Thanks Avis! It's been so long since I've done a full-coverage cross-stitch piece that I really didn't have a sense of how long it would take to stitch, say, 100 stitches. (Three weeks in and I still don't!)

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  3. nwpaintedladyApril 11, 2021 at 11:22 AM

    Wow there is a lot of detail in this project. I don't think I even notice the boats last look. If I had only the one. This time I spotted two. The colors are so subtle. Amazing project

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    1. SunnyApril 11, 2021 at 7:21 PM

      Thanks Sharon! I had actually never noticed the boats until I bought the kit -- I think it's such a familiar image that you don't really "see" it anymore. I'm looking forward to really studying the print a I keep working on the stitching.

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  4. CathieJApril 11, 2021 at 1:37 PM

    Well, you will probably be seeing my SAL project for the next 5 years at the rate that I am stitching it. This is a pretty project. I am sure the grid lines will help. I use them on large projects or I would always be lost. I love the close-up that shows all teh detail.

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    1. SunnyApril 11, 2021 at 7:50 PM

      Thanks Cathie! Already the grid lines are a huge help -- I'm glad I realized it at the beginning of the project rather than just struggling along.

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  5. rutigtApril 12, 2021 at 1:08 AM

    It´s a big project, but it is so beautiful!

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    1. SunnyApril 12, 2021 at 5:06 PM

      Thank you! I love really seeing all the details as I go.

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  6. ChristinaApril 12, 2021 at 6:19 PM

    Being comfortable while you stitch and taking all these steps to make the process more easier and enjoyable is so important! You've already made such a great start!

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  7. TynderApril 15, 2021 at 6:57 AM

    Wonderful starting! I've never taken the time to grid out a design. Although, I have stitched a 10x10 stitch square at a time on some of my larger pieces. It takes me about 2 years to complete a 16inx14in piece. Right now, I have a sampler on my frame that I really should be working on. hehe.

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