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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Dear Designer

Dear Designer,

While stitching one of your designs, I ran into this situation:



I see that these are different symbols, but they are very similar and while stitching I really only glance at the pattern, so there is the possibility, or in my case, the probability that I will see "circle with a line through it" and not register left slant or right slant until it is too late.  This area is actually an easy "see" as there are places in the pattern that these two symbols are mixed together.

I do know that it is my responsibility as a stitcher to double and triple check symbols and fiber colors, but I must admit that I find it hard to believe that the designing software had only 25 symbols available which required the use of the above two as well as "<" and ">" in this piece. 

Yes, things have come a long way from the hand drawn charts that we used to purchase and I am very thankful for that, but please, for my sanity could you please mix up the symbols a little bit?

Thank you,

Frustrated Stitcher

20 comments:

Annie said...

Oh, I am SO with you on this one! And if they have to use such similar symbols why put them so close together?!
Outraged stitchers, unite;)

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Me too!!

One chart has the black triangles going different directions with some of the symbols next to each other so they look like a back-to-back triangle which would be a totally different colour!

Mii Stitch said...

Oh I hate this!!! I'm forever checking everything too :)

Tamra said...

I just found your blog and have to tell you that you do beautiful stitching. Have a wonderful new year with many more nice pieces.

Tamra said...

I just found your blog and have to tell you that you do beautiful stitching. Have a wonderful new year with many more nice pieces.

Giovanna said...

Standing ovation! And may I add mixing black squares with black dots of the same size as another offender?

Unknown said...

I just discovered your blog! I also live in Virginia - though this week I wished I lived somewhere warmer :-)

Robin in Virginia said...

I definitely understand your frustrations with similar symbols. How about the using solid dots, but 3 different sizes or using an x (or other circle) and then using the same symbol, but bold? It drives me crazy!

Stay warm!

Robin in Virginia

Jan said...

I'm right there with ya on this stitchy band wagon. (LOL) I learned long ago to use colored pencils for charts like these.

Kate said...

I totally get this!! BUT I have a designer program and it doesnt let a person decide the symbols, it's automatically assigned to whatever floss color and often in the same color group the symbols are too alike. I hate it!

Blu said...

Amen sister!

MarchAnn said...

have to agree with you on this. I had that problem and I highlighted one so I would know which one was which one was which and yes it was a pain and took a while.

Anne Marieke said...

The designer probably doesn't do any stitching himself/herself. Otherwise they would try to avoid this.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Try having dyslexia it gets interesting!

Anonymous said...

I've run into similar problems, but that's really pushing it too far. :(

Natasha said...


I agree 100% I have a chart and there are only three symbols on the whole chart a square and TWO circle!!!! One small cirls and one slighlty larger cirls. Drives my insane. LOL

Joysze said...

Oh, you and me both, sister-friend!!! The number of times I've had to frog...

There's this chart, that shall remained unnamed, where 2 colors have the same 3 line symbol, going the SAME direction. Only difference being that the lines on one of the symbol is slightly thicker than the other. Needless to say, lots of cussing ensued, especially since I had to frog a crapload AND buy more floss.

Catherine said...

Oohhhh...hate that too! I agree, mix 'em up!!

Faith... said...

One of my biggest stitching pet peeves!

Shebafudge said...

Oh I am with you. This is so annoying when you think of all the different symbols they could use instead! Grrrrrrrr!!!