Variegated threads create a beautiful effect when used as part of your stitching project but to get the required effect, which we call colour blocking, there is a particular way to work the stitches.

Cross Stitch Grids for Games Boards

When working cross stitch you should always complete the cross rather than do a run of stitches one way (e.g. /) and then returning the other way (e.g.  \) to create the crosses.

 To get the colour blocking I talk about for our games board  grids you need to work the stitches in a specific order:

Horizontal Blocking

This example shows you how to work  2 lines of horizontal blocking, to get a deeper line you need to add the required number of stitches to each column.

To get the horizontal blocking working properly you need to ensure you work the colours so that they sit above each other, for
example if you work the first column in one direction you work the next column in the opposite direction. Working in this way will mean that as you use the thread each colour in the block is the same and when the colour changes it will look seamless as in the image above.

 Vertical Blocking

This example shows you how to work  2 lines of vertical blocking, to get a wider line you need to add the required  number of
stitches to each row.

To get the vertical blocking working properly you need to ensure you work the colours so that they sit next to each other, for
example if you work the first row in one direction you work the next row in the opposite direction. Working in this way will mean that as you use the thread each colour in the block is the same and when the colour changes it will look seamless as in the image above.

 Where the grid lines overlap

Where the grid lines overlap you will need to decide if you are working vertically through them or horizontally through them.

 Cross stitch for Objects

Stitches should still be formed in the way detailed at the beginning of these instructions.

To get the colour blocking in objects such as lettering you need to work the stitches in a specific order, firstly you need to decide if you want the colour blocking to show vertically or horizontally through the object. The example below shows vertical blocking on the lettering and horizontal blocking on the border.

Blackwork using Variegated Threads

There is no particular order in which to stitch blackwork using variegated threads, you just need to ensure that you don’t end up with too much of the same colour in any one area. If you finish a thread and the next thread you choose has a large section of the same colour at the beginning then look to use this thread on another area of the pattern.