DIY cross-stitch patterns?
October 5, 2005 11:27 AM Subscribe
Help me Photoshop an image to create a cross-stitch pattern.
Mrs. Etc. has gotten back into cross-stitch lately, and we've been talking about how lame all the patterns are, so I'm trying to create my own patterns for her. I'm hoping for some more precise advice than there is in this thread.
The first pattern I want to create is based on this fish skeleton.
Here's what I've done: I've made the entire background black by painting some and then increasing the contrast a bunch. At this point, I like what I see--a yellowy and white fish skeleton on a black background.
What I don't know how do to is this:
(1) I want to reduce the number of colors to two or three in the white-to-yellow range. (I'd really like to learn a general technique for specifying a number of colors and being able to adjust each color in the image independently.)
(2) I also need to learn how to pixelate the image so that, in the fish skeleton example, I have an eight-inch image with 16 squares per inch. Does that make sense?
(3) Next, I need to create a grid that lines up with the pixelated image.
(4) Finally, I wonder if there is a way to make sharp lines in Photoshop so that I can draw some of the bones in to be done as backstitch.
If you've never seen a cross-stitch pattern, I'd like to end up with something like this, or as close as possible. I hope these aren't dumb questions. Any help is appreciated. Thanks so much.
Mrs. Etc. has gotten back into cross-stitch lately, and we've been talking about how lame all the patterns are, so I'm trying to create my own patterns for her. I'm hoping for some more precise advice than there is in this thread.
The first pattern I want to create is based on this fish skeleton.
Here's what I've done: I've made the entire background black by painting some and then increasing the contrast a bunch. At this point, I like what I see--a yellowy and white fish skeleton on a black background.
What I don't know how do to is this:
(1) I want to reduce the number of colors to two or three in the white-to-yellow range. (I'd really like to learn a general technique for specifying a number of colors and being able to adjust each color in the image independently.)
(2) I also need to learn how to pixelate the image so that, in the fish skeleton example, I have an eight-inch image with 16 squares per inch. Does that make sense?
(3) Next, I need to create a grid that lines up with the pixelated image.
(4) Finally, I wonder if there is a way to make sharp lines in Photoshop so that I can draw some of the bones in to be done as backstitch.
If you've never seen a cross-stitch pattern, I'd like to end up with something like this, or as close as possible. I hope these aren't dumb questions. Any help is appreciated. Thanks so much.
Response by poster: Ah, I was hoping to do it myself, but why be difficult? For the record, knitpro seems pretty weak, but PCStitch is the shizzle.
posted by etc. at 1:49 PM on October 5, 2005
posted by etc. at 1:49 PM on October 5, 2005
Just in case you want to buy some patterns, too, check subversive cross stitch.
posted by jennyb at 2:22 PM on October 5, 2005
posted by jennyb at 2:22 PM on October 5, 2005
Here are step by step instructions of how to do it in photoshop if you're still inclined.
posted by Salmonberry at 6:36 PM on October 5, 2005
posted by Salmonberry at 6:36 PM on October 5, 2005
For anyone else listening, also check out Stitch Painter, a mighty cross-platform solution with lots of cross-stitch-specific features, plus applicable to many other grid-based textile arts, including knitting, beading, quilting, etc.
posted by dpcoffin at 12:09 AM on October 6, 2005
posted by dpcoffin at 12:09 AM on October 6, 2005
PC Stitch is decent, but I use HobbyWare's Pattern Maker and find it superior to all the other offerings. You'll need a PC and 120 dollars but then you can make all the subversive, anti-teddy bear projects you can possibly imagine.
posted by macinchik at 8:39 AM on February 26, 2006
posted by macinchik at 8:39 AM on February 26, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cali at 11:44 AM on October 5, 2005