Can't find the DMC color...

[Asinine]

So, I've been noticing more and more in my endeavors to create cross-stitching projects for video games that there are an awful lot of colors DMC does not cover.

I've noticed there really aren't any dark purples, and my current issue is I'm finding that there are a very sad amount of the gray scale. There seems to be about 15 of them that aren't obviously affected by an uneven RGB. As a result, I'm noticing a lot of the pictures I'm importing into KG Chart are becoming way more colorful than necessary. (The Altair one I saw posted a while back provides him with a mostly light-blue robe, instead of the characteristic white.)

And now I've reached the question I started this topic for: do you think that mixing threads would be a viable option? I know that it could possibly make it look really unique/cool/different, but you think I could actually get away with it without it being noticeable and/or it actually substituting more accurately for an unavailable color? Has anyone tried this before?

[Autumn]

I've never thought to try mixing strands, but it sounds like an excellent experiment. All I've noticed myself is how different colors of background canvas can trick the eye's perception of thread colors, and I think your idea will work along those same principles!

I wonder what different effects you'll be able to achieve depending on how you combine your threads? A half-stitch in one color crossed by a half-stitch in another is going to look different than two threads lying side-by-side, or by two twisted together. I'll be interested to see what you come up with!

[Asinine]

That's my train of thought as well... although I'm very hesitant to try it out.

I'd probably do two different colored threads entwined together, unless I'm trying it out on 14ct... then two of one and one of the other I suppose.

I'm trying to find a little project I can try it out on.

[Autumn]

Don't be hesitant! We're all rooting for you. :)

While I was trying to find the right combination of blues for Sonic the Hedgehog by eye (this was before I even knew that things like PC Stitch existed), I had to accept that I would spend hours stitching some sprites that wouldn't look right. When you remind yourself that the process is helping you achieve a proper result, it doesn't feel like wasted time anymore. It's a necessary step toward the finished piece, tedious though it may be.

I gotta tell you, though... I will never be able to look at these Sonic sprites the same way ever again. @__@

[kuja.girl]

The colors we know and love from video games are generated by light (Red Green Blue), you are never going to be able to "reproduce" the same colors via dye but you can get pretty darn close. Mixing two strands of thread is a viable alternative. So is using a half-stitch (softer effect, used in backgrounds) or only one thread instead of two (looks like a lighter color). I've been doing pretty complex pieces of cross stitch for 10+ years now and I've seen patterns that mix up to three colors at once, sometimes it's not just color, but texture too (metallics and "furry" threads"). If you'd like examples let me know, I can photograph some of mine.

-another alternative-
If you have the chance you can mix & match from different manufactures (DMC, Weeks Dye Works, Anchor, etc).
My local stitching shop (local being over an hour away), has a good online catalog of different threads to get you started. Just be aware that the colors of the samples on the website are dependant on your monitor settings (isn't this fun?)
http://www.needlestack.com/thread.html
It can be expensive but if you have the money and really want that color, this is the way to go. If you found a color you like but only have access to one manufacture try using a conversion chart, they will point you in the right direction:
http://www.needlepointers.com/ShowArtic ... NavID=1557

Sorry if I bored anyone, I have an Art degree and specialized in digital art and printing so "the-color-on-the-screen-is-different!-problem" is a familiar one.

[Cerity]

If you'd like examples let me know, I can photograph some of mine.

I'd love to see some of your examples of mixed threads and techniques! I'm always curious to try out new tricks for different effects.

[kuja.girl]

Ok some stitches and mixed thread examples. Nothing really exciting, these are both purchased patterns.

Example A - types of stitches
This is a framed piece I did for a friends wedding, shows a few examples of types of stitches. Most stitches were 2 cotton strands.
*opps - the 2nd example of the "2 strand half-stitch" is a "1-strand half stitch," so there are 1, 2, and 3 strand half-stitches in the photo.

Spoiler

Example A

stiches_ex_A.jpg (263.29 KiB) Viewed 4709 times

Example B - Cotton thread, metallic thread, metallic braid.

Spoiler

Example B

stiches_ex_B.jpg (597.88 KiB) Viewed 4708 times

- metallic purple: 2 strands cotton, with 1 strand metallic stitched OVER the cotton stitch
- metallic "green leaves" - 1 strand #4 braid krenrick
- metallic copper - 1 strand #8 braid krenrick (thicker than #4, and more expensive).
- metallic gold - 2 strands of gold thread, not sure on brand.

I thought I had more pieces I could photograph but I don't, they are residing elsewhere

[Cerity]

Thank you very much! Those are beautiful examples

[Asinine]

Wow, I had no idea half-stitches could provide so much variance! Thanks for posting that!

[kuja.girl]

Glad you found them helpful! Mixing threads and stitches can result in some really cool effects.