When do you tunnel?

[JoannaG]

I'm curious what everyone has to say about tunnelling your thread under previous stitches, especially when travelling.

On my previous projects up to 22 count, I always tunnelled my thread if travelling any distance more than 2 or 3 stitches (already given that up on the 28 count HAED ).

I also frequently tunnelled when ending a thread. Unless I could use a new thread to stitch over the previous thread end instead of tunnelling under older stitches, or I remembered to do the pin stitch.

A few days ago on another site I saw it mentioned in passing that tunnelling on higher thread counts pulls the stitches at the front. So now I'm curious as to what everyone has to say about it.

I tried searching for previous posts on this forum but kept getting unrelated hits. Apparently alot of us are searching for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Do you recommend tunnelling when travelling? Do you recommend only tunnelling on certain counts? Only if your tension is loose to start with?
What's your take on it?

Is tunnelling even the correct terminology?

[Mabel Figworthy]

Seeing the title of your post I wan't sure what tuneling is, but reading your explanation I can tell you I am a dedicated tunneler . I've never noticed it pull stitches, even on 36ct over one; much depends on how thick a needle you're using, I suppose

[cristaltipps]

I start with a loop and tunnel at the end always have and rarely had a problem, the only time it might pull is if i try to finish those last 2 stitches and the tail end is too small then i end up pushing the needle through the stitches then trying to get the teeny thread into the eye and pulled through but once through i find gently manipulation with your needle from the front gets rid of it.
I also carry my thread a fair way on the back and run it under or sometimes if it's unstitched but will be stitched over by shades darker than itself to hide it

[rcperryls]

I start with a loop and tunnel at the end always have and rarely had a problem, the only time it might pull is if i try to finish those last 2 stitches and the tail end is too small then i end up pushing the needle through the stitches then trying to get the teeny thread into the eye and pulled through but once through i find gently manipulation with your needle from the front gets rid of it.
I also carry my thread a fair way on the back and run it under or sometimes if it's unstitched but will be stitched over by shades darker than itself to hide it

I do exactly the same thing, unless I am stitching 1 over 1 (which I do on some of my HAEDs), in which case I can't begin with a loop start and have to cover the beginning of the thread by stitching over it for several stitches.

I don't think I've heard the expression "tunneling" before, but it is a good description of the practice.

Carole

[nannyrainbow]

I put needle under a few stitches when starting & finishing threads. Not had any problems myself with this method. I think in the cross stitch books I have it says to run thread end under a few before cutting off thread. Also I often look on Scarlet Quince 'How To' pages to see what they recommend.

[poppy]

Is tunnelling even the correct terminology?

Well, Joanna, for me it is called tunelling from now on!

I practice tunnelling as you do : to finish a threat and to "travel a short distance" without any problem.

[Allyn]

I use waste knots and I park, so I don't have the problem of having to 'tunnel' when ending a thread or carrying a floater (except at the very end of the project when there won't be more stitches ahead to trap my tails). The reason I use those methods is so that I don't have the problem of getting the correct thread tension on the stitches and then having to jam a needle and extra thread under them, which then borks the tension in the affected stitches. I can see it on my work so I don't want to do it, but I don't look for it on other people's work. It's a matter of preference and how anal you want to be about it. On fabric like 14 or 16 ct, it's not a big deal, but when you do 25 ct or smaller over-one, it is very noticeable, imo.

[JoannaG]

Is tunnelling even the correct terminology?

Well, Joanna, for me it is called tunelling from now on!

haha. Glad I could help

[Squirrel]

I have always "tunnelled" at the end of the thread or if going over more than 2 threads and never had a problem. I used to 'tuneel' wt the start too untul I learnt about loop starting on here.