Picture of the side of the needle minder

I'm fairly new at this. What is a needle minder? What does it do? Also, what is "parking" a thread?

Thanks for your assistance.

Hi bmiko,

A needle minder is a small magnet (usually with a fun design on the front) that you smash your threads between so they don't get in the way of your stitching. I've attached a picture to this post, which is the second one I made today, but as you can see, the thread is on the fabric, under the needle minder, and there is another magnet on the back (undecorated) and it holds your threads in place.

As for parking a thread, it's a method of stitching that allows you to keep a closer eye on your work to make sure you're not stitching the wrong color, or in the wrong box. Basically you take one color of thread and work with it until you get into some empty space in your fabric, and in my case, I get a bit uncomfortable with counting empty boxes on the fabric to place a stitch. I like to have another color or two already stitched so I know where to place the stitches correctly. So.

Parking your thread means, that once you get to a spot where you're uncomfortable going on till you've got more stitches in an area, instead of fastening the thread in the back and cutting it, you pull the thread to the front of your fabric into the box where it will show up again, and you change to another color. If I have confused you, I apologize. LOL.

There are videos of this parking method on YouTube where stitchers have demonstrated how to do this technique if you would like to try it, I just typed in "Parking method cross stitch" and it should give you some more information on it, as well as you get to see it in action rather than just reading about it. ^_^

Happy stitching, I hope I helped you at least a little bit.

Hi Veronichrome,

Thanks so much for the explanations. I like the idea of the needle minder. And I hadn't heard of the "parking" method. That sounds much easier than to keep cutting it off like I do.

I appreciate the assistance! I love reading this chat board and picking up hints and ideas.

I've tried "parking"...just more trouble than its worth. :)

But I love my needleminders. :) I did pick up some small, very strong magnets at the Container Store this weekend...love the idea of designing my own needleminders! Terrific idea! :)

@bmiko: No problem! I'm just glad I could help. Explaining things can sometimes be difficult, LOL. What sort of project are you working on currently?

@VCESS: Hello. Thank you! Parking isn't for everyone, so I completely understand. I was lazy and didn't feel like going out to buy needle minders so I just searched my craft room for something that might work. LOL. The ones I made are puffy and soft so threads don't get caught in them. I'd thought of using some buttons, but the softness were more appealing. Do you use cross country exclusively when you're stitching? Also... I freaking ♥ The Container Store. ^_^

If I understand what you mean-- no, I stitch by color area...until recently I stitched to the right, crossed to the left, but beading forced a new approach and a widening of the horizons. :) I'm still old school, but experimenting...all the new stuff is really fun and is what brought me back to cross stitch. I still don't like a lot of clutter and mess on the back, but with the shading and many, many colors, you better be flexible, or you'll be nuts! :)

I just discovered needleminders...not sure why, but I have become careless with needles--all the loaded multiple needles?- - whatever, I need some help keeping them on my table and out of my feet. :)

We're getting a new CS here in OKC...supposed to open early next year...maybe. :) it has been a destination trip for several years for DD and self. :) Rangers, hair cut, Container Store...Oh, my! LOL

Cross country means stitching one color first all over the pattern before switching. I recently just learned all these fancy terms for methods LOL, I had been cross stitching a certain way for a while but never knew there were terms for it other than just calling it stitching. Haha. I didn't like the idea of having needles hanging all over, (I also don't have that many tapestry needles either), so I actually just leave the thread hanging without a needle cause the needle minders work either way. LOL. I'm a little old school too, I still use paper patterns because on the computer, it's just way too easy for me to accidentally hit the wrong button and un-highlight or highlight something that I shouldn't, and then poof, I've confused myself LOL.

I recently started a project on 18 count, and previously I'd only worked on 14 count. It's so different on the back between the two pieces, LOL, cause there isn't as much space with the 18, so you know, it's all jumbled, but it's okay, as long as I get the front correct, I'll be happy. I can't imagine what the higher count fabric looks like on the backs. O_O My 14 count though, looks almost identical on the back as it does on the front. ;)

Ahh nice, I used to have to go all the way to MN to the Container Store, but this year, they opened one here in IA, so I was so excited. hahaah.

It's the little things in life... :)