I myself am switching between hoops and or Qsnaps , but there again it's a matter of preference

I have been taught by my mother and the nuns at schools how to do cross stitch by not to use the hoop or the frame.

Varies by size & personal taste. I don't like having to fold & cilip extra fabric for a hoop. Don't know anyone using stretchers for cross stitch.

So glad Mom & Nuns are back. Missed the old gals.

I use a 7 inch metal and plastic tension hoop for all my projects no matter the size of the project. For very small patterns I use a 3 1/2 inch tension hoop. I pin the extra fabric up with my very large quilt pins while I am sewing on it. Every stitcher has their own preference on what they use. Personally I can't imagine not using something to hold my project, but I know some do them that way. One of the nice things about cross stitching is there is no right answer.

I use whatever feels right to me. For smaller projects, less than 8x12, I like qsnaps a lots. I also use hoops for these. For bog projects, I use scroll frame and stand. It really is personal preference. If I had found qsnaps years ago, I would have been using them and not hoops only because they don't need retightening as often and with a qsnap "cover", I can tuck extra material under without clips.

Scroll frames & stretcher bars are not the same thing, you know, Sydney. Stretchers are used by needlepointers working with canvas, which is much stronger than cross stitch fabric.

Scroll frames & stretcher bars are not the same thing, you know, Sydney. Stretchers are used by needlepointers working with canvas, which is much stronger than cross stitch fabric.

I started with a hoop many years ago and have never used anything else. I use from as small as 4" up to a 7" max hoop.

Jlhewes...thanks for the reminder about stretcher bars. I was having a "senior moment" :-). Seems to happen alot lately. Just call me dingy
Sydney

I use Qsnaps and love them. However, for very small projects I don't use any thing. Of course, I've only cross stitched on Aida, which is stiffer to begin with and easy to hold in the hand. All the nuns I knew never taught anything fun like needlework; they were too busy making sure we learned our Catechism and we would be in big trouble if we didn't ;-)