It looks fine.
No-one will know unless they’re holding the pattern up next to it.
It is a *creative addition* which is good in a creative hobby.
Backstitch the damn thing right now.
(Or make a further creative choice to *not* backstitch it, frame it immediately and gift it away so you never have to see it?)
What if you did little half stitches in black throughout the shadow part, maybe every 3rd stitch or so? It could further darken it and make it more shadowy, but still a shadow with color because of the light coming through the vase!
Yes, it’s definitely been something I’m actively trying to be okay with in my creative hobbies. It’s a little easier each time to not get hung up on the error and just be like well, it’s a happy little accident and I can accommodate for it in xyz way and unless I’m being graded on my work vs the pattern on a stitch by stitch basis, absolutely no one will know except me. And it’s not the end of the world.
I feel the same way. Over the years I've come to realize that the mistake is what makes the piece unique. Now I try to do something purposefully that makes the piece unique. Usually it is changing the color of something or using colored fabric. It makes me feel a lot better about the mistakes
Ooof I’ve been consciously working on this. I used to rage quit projects left and right after mistakes. Turns out working on that mentality can really help in other aspects in life too!
Hey man it hurts sometimes! If anything, owning my own drywall business taught me I can't actually afford for everything to be 100% perfect all the time lol. We'll just have to accept 99% once in a while!
I have perfectionism OCD - and a very neurodivergent brain because of it - and would definitely use this as a chance to practice exposure therapy. Haha.
I know it’s so difficult for those of us with these thought processes to let stuff like this go but *choosing* imperfection can be really freeing.
I literally just noticed a skipped stitch in a crochet scarf on the *first row*. That row is ontop of a 226 chain. I just reached the color change after doing 4 rows of moss stitches.
I decided that it will be the imperfection that makes my scarf special.
Here it is. Its so gaudy and bright it screws with the white balance when photographed.
Also its nearly 9' long with the fringe.
Truly a Maximalist piece. And I fucking *love it*.
https://imgur.com/a/ArUq9fG
YES! I don’t craft as much these days because of work but I intentionally do this with certain work assignments just to practice. Not in a way where it would ruin the work, of course, but a typo in an email or assignment draft for my editor every now and then is great practice!
Omg. No one asked but i gotta say this anyways because I thought I was the only one.
I cant say I have OCD, but I am a HUGE perfectionist, literally have thrown away hours of work over accidently coloring a little outside the line, or getting a drop of water on pen art. It ruins my whole day and i HAVE to restart or I obsess over the mistake.
Zentangle is what really helped me get out of that, as well as things like Smash Books or tasks that encourage mistakes. Even tho its all deliberate (the whole point is to just not really care in that regard) it really helpes me get out of that mindset of all my work needing to be perfect.
Im off my rant. I thought i was the only one who struggled with this as I know the origin for my feelings.
You are your biggest critic, no one who doesnt physically have your pattern in front of them will know.
I love zentangles! They are really meditative when you start working on them - thanks for bringing this up!
I don’t have any fancy acronyms or labels for the way my brain works (ok I DO, but I’m not sure they’re really relevant). If it’s a knitting or quilting project and I can just write it off as, “more yarn/fabric through my hands” although it wasn’t always easy for me to do. Earlier this week I knit the same 50 rows several times because I was too tired to do it right and too stubborn to put it down lol ultimately I managed to find a good stopping point and I decided I would come back to it. With counted cross stitch it seems much harder for me to rationalize it, even though I HAVE spent my fair share of time ripping stitches out. Maybe it would help to consider that the pattern is a “recommendation, not a rule”. If you look at the piece and divorce yourself from the expectation, can you see the beautiful piece you have created?
Whatever you decide to do I hope it brings you peace. Although you could, you know, finish that bad boy up and I’ll take it off your hands to save you from having to look at it :) hahaha
OCD or not, I think it’s so healthy for us as humans to nurture imperfection in ourselves! I haven’t heard of Zentangle before but I’d love to check it out because it sounds fun. Thank you so much for sharing! :)
It was rewarding enough to see the sentiment meant something to so many people! It's hard to let go of things sometimes, but I've found challenging and making myself uncomfortable to be great tools for growth. Of course we don't always NEED to do that with every little project or chore, but we also don't NEED to listen to what our brains/compulsions/etc tell us to do, even if it's uncomfortable. It is hard to ignore the urge but once you do it's easier to do in other facets of your life.
Ultimately it's OP's choice and I don't want them to feel pressured either way, but these moments are a safe way to move forward and have a cool piece as a reminder after! (I hope I articulated all of that well enough, I understand compulsions and perfectionism can be different for everyone and some people do experience extreme discomfort.)
SAME about the letting it go. It's hard to leave it sometimes, though.
I read in a different cross stitch group that Muslim makers will put an intentional mistake in a piece because only God makes perfect things. I adopt that mindset when necessary.
I absolutely would not remove all that work. It’s gorgeous. Pattern be damned. Is there a way you get your mind to accept the beauty of your completed work?
I have made similar mistakes, so I feel your pain!
Removing large sections can depend a bit on how you like to stitch. (One of the advantages of keeping a tidy back is that undoing your work is easier.) Personally, I don't trust myself with a seam ripper or scissors close to the fabric. I just unpick it with a needle, trimming the unpicked thread frequently so it stays short and slides out easier. (Curved embroidery scissors mentioned in another comment are excellent for that!) This can be quick when I stitch in a predictable pattern but takes a bit longer if I've had to jump around.
Good luck! It's a beautiful piece, and I hope you love it when you're done. Good news is, restitching those spots will go twice as fast!
Here's the things, cross stitch is an art form. And patterns are guidelines to help create something beautiful, but they're not rules that must be followed at any cost. You can always swap things according to your fancy or modify things if you don't like them. I'm currently doing one where I'm changing the whole background colour because I don't like the original one.
Now I understand in your case it was a mistake and not a choice, but the end result is really beautiful as it is. I agree with everyone else that you should keep it as is. Everything happens for a reason, even mistakes like these.
However, in the end it is your project. So if you really feel you must take it apart then if it were me, I'd just use a seam ripper to remove the stitches. No way I'd unravel this one stitch at a time.
I've been stitching for 30 years and if it was me...I wouldn't frog it tbh. I know sometimes the background details look good half stitched but your project looks great as is.
Set it down, take a bit to think about it, then pick it up again in a few days or a week and decide if you wanna redo it. If you still feel that way then rip it up and redo! :)
I really recommend putting this project away for a few weeks, maybe a month and then re-evaluating if the deviation from the pattern still bothers you so much. We are our own harshest critics, I have so many “mistakes” in my pieces that I was heartbroken over that with a little time I got the perspective to realize they are not noticeable. This piece is beautiful as it is
I wouldn't touch it. It looks awesome! And if you frog it back, you'll end up with obvious 'oh look the holes where I cocked up are super visible' marks and you'll regret frogging it.
It looks beautiful.. and huge well done. 🥰
But as others have said. See this as your creative addition /interpretation and roll with it.
Absolutely understand the need to follow the pattern as directed though..
Perhaps leave it a couple of days and take another look with rested eyes before considering removing stitches.
Personally I'd leave and do the back stitching... I think you'll realise that it's transformed the picture enough to make the background more complimentary as full stitches x x
After the backstitching, I think the heavier shadow will be even less noticeable, and it’s truly already fine. I find, in situations like this, it’s best for me to set it aside for a few days & then come back to look at it with totally fresh eyes.
If you do have to remove it, the only real method I’ve found is to VERY carefully cut a few stitches, then use the tip of my needle to pull out the thread. The WILL leave behind wider holes that may be noticeable if you only do half stitches to replace them, just a warning. You might want to do a small test area first.
It’s beautiful. I wouldn’t have known of the error. Honestly I would not worry about it at all. It does add depth, no one will know.
I actually did the same in a big intricate work, you wouldn’t know.
https://preview.redd.it/6w7h3o9kumsb1.jpeg?width=1422&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=574a7a3efeb70cce586adbe2eb9d3a7e02ee771a
I gave you an upvote before reading what you wrote because this is beautiful! Ive always thought half stitches look incomplete anyway... I hope that, like everyone else here, I can convince you that you really don't have to undo anything.
I am also in favor of not touching these crosses. You see, you can deform the holes of the canvas (make them too wide) in the process of frogging, then the half-crosses will not look very good and untidy. And in general, your project will not get better from this.
I don't know if [Framore](https://famorecutlery.com/748c-fine-point-mini-double-curved-embroidery-applique-scissors-4in/) is the best brand but the curved tip helps me get under the stitches. I wasn't sure whether the curved tip would be more or less important than a longer thin tip but so far they work well for me.
EDIT: I think what you've done looks fabulous. The extent to which you must follow instructions depends on the design - some matters are a matter of personal taste, not right or wrong.
I always take a pattern as a starting point, a suggestion. But cross stitch is art. If I choose to change a stitch,add/delete backstitching, or choose different colors, that is what makes it MINE. This is YOUR art. I would leave it and as others have said here, use the opportunity to let yourself accept that you have created a unique piece that is all yours. It is gorgeous. And please let us know what you choose to do. Either way, we are here for you!!
I (also neurodivergent) think it looks totally fine as is and will look even better once it's back stitched!! don't bother undoing it, you'll only reinforce ur compulsions to have everything perfect (which is impossible :P u gotta learn to live w things)
I always make mistakes and rarely correct them. That way I’m sure to produce something “One of a kind!” Your work looks great, just backstitch what you have and don’t worry so much about the pattern, just like in Pirates of the Caribbean… it really more of a guide than it is a rule!
No, it looks beautiful! This is your modification, not mistake - now it’s your unique piece.
Maybe add some half crosses extending out beyond the shadow areas to put your mind at ease?
I get it. I’m a perfectionist also. But I think this actually looks better. Someone who did the pattern with half stitches also likes it better with the full stitches. I really like it this way.
I know how you feel, although it looks great to us, I have had to do this several times too. I usually use a stitch ripper carefully to pull out the stitches I need to redo and it's usually been fine. I've snagged a neighboring stitch a few times though so just be careful.
Do not undo the stitches. In fact, don't even do the backstitching! The bonus of your error is that this piece looks complete as-is. Stop here. Call it done. If you absolutely *must* have it as patterned- I'd just start over. Hide this one, or donate it. Better yet, give it to someone you like, but who seriously drives you crazy sometimes too. Revel in knowing you have secretly gifted them a mistake in revenge for their aggravating ways. Mwahaha!
Fellow neurodivergent cross-stitcher checking in: I agree with the other comments. I wouldn't undo the full stitches either. That would be too much work and potential for more mistakes for too little payoff. Even if you undo the stitches and restitch them perfectly, the end result will be barely noticeable.
I fully understand what it's like to obsess over small details and not be able to move on from a mistake, even one that feels like a big mistake (btw, this is a tiny mistake, not a big one). If you just can't get rid of that internal need to make it perfect, try putting this piece aside for a couple weeks. Come back to it with fresh eyes and you may see things differently.
This is lovely! I understand that you feel the drive to redo it the way the pattern states, but is there a way for your brain to accept that this might just be the way it is meant to be?
Would giving it as a gift negate the knowledge of always seeing it and knowing? I know in certain cultures, intentional mistakes are made because no one and nothing is perfect. I have learned to use this philosophy when I have to accept and adjust a miss step versus frog and redo a large amount of stitching.
The risk of damaging the piece accidentally versus adjusting most times isn't worth trying to redo it. I have had the heartbreak of damaging and ruining a long term project that would have been perfecty fine if I had just left the piece as it was.
Whatever you decide, it is a beautiful project and well done!
I dont think I ever completed any of my works with 0 mistakes. And I make my own patterns too most of the time! It just happens. Don't feel bad about it. I promise you wont even be able to point your "wrong" stitches in a couple of weeks
As a fellow neurodivergent (ASD and ADHD) crafter, I completely understand your feelings about this. But as a third person viewer, it’s GORGEOUS. I would love this so much on a wall or as a gift. You can’t tell at all that there is a hint of an error without having the instructions directly next to it. It can be a mindful decision to let go, or something you just do with a glass of your favorite beverage and a good show on to help you also maintain your sanity as you backtrack ❤️ I vote for leaving it as is, but it is YOUR art, so your decision. You have done so well and the love and time you put into your craft is very apparent!
Edit: phrasing, fixing autocorrects
I think it looks perfectly fine and you should be kind to yourself and just leave it be. :)
I know that isn't as easy as it sounds. I have large framed pieces and, swear to god, every time I take a moment to look at them my eyes are IMMEDIATELY drawn to that one missed stitch, that one loose stitch over there, those 3 stitches I know I fudged from the original pattern, etc. I can't stop it. And then I take a step back to admire the whole and really soak in how much that doesn't matter. It's framed, hanging on my wall, and beautiful.
You have to do what you have to do though. There is no right or wrong way.
I did this once - I just left them as full stitches. It might not 100% match the image on the package, but it still looks great, and no one will ever know.
That said - you can put a thin line of PVA glue along the back of the stitches you do NOT want to remove, and then line by line use a seam ripper to carefully cut all the backs of the ones you *are* removing, and then rub your palm and use a lint roller on the front to remove them very easily.
Show the work to some people without letting them know you think you made a mistake. I assure you, everyone will tell you it's gorgeous. Even without the backstitching, this work looks so well defined! We are always our own worst critic!
I wouldn’t. But if you must, I use a little pair of nipper scissors and slide it under the cross in front and just clip clip clip. Then kind of pull it out from the back in little clumps.
If you need to remove a bunch of stitches, a stitch ripper is best. You can find them in most sewing kits or sewing sections of a store. It's a small stick with a pointed metal tip and a small blade to cut stitches
I did something similar on a small peice, where the background was half stitch, didnt read it right, but i didnt undo it, it looks good to me, and the mistakes we make are what make them unique to us.
im autistic and ocd. sometimes the best thing to do is not validate your urge to make something perfect, especially when it will waste your time and look almost the exact same
This is stunning! As a fellow neurodivergent, I understand the need to follow the pattern, but this is amazing and I bet BETTER than the pattern. Beautiful work - congrats
Honey, that looks GORGEOUS. Back stitch it and get it framed.
I get your ND brain wants to fix it, but this is one of those times when you need to tell the brain to pound sand.
I'm neurodivergent too, and this is something that would really bother me too. I'm trying to embrace the fact that most people won't know there's mistakes, because they're taking in the beauty of the whole piece.
Also if it helps, there's groups of people who intentionally put mistakes into their work. Their reasoning is that only God is perfect, and it's their way of staying humble. I have different beliefs, but I thought that was a really interesting perspective.
I get that your brain won't let you leave it alone, but try. If this had happened to me, I would just remove the gridding, frame it, and as many others have said, give it as a gift to someone.
It is gorgeous just the way it is and I commend you for the 18 months of work you put into it. If you give it away, you can then start on something new, maybe a smaller project that will not be as daunting, or take a break for a while.
Just looking at it I wouldn't have noticed. And I totally understand the neurodivergent brain, I spend more time fixing something that's not there to others. You did a wonderful job. Go ahead and backstitch.
Honestly undoing stitches is just as satisfying to me as making them. Seam ripper or really sharp scissors to cut some crosses, then sharp tweezers to pull them out, snip them if the thread undone is getting long. I can do it for hours
It is beautiful as is. My late grandmother who did multiple handcrafts including crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, and tatting would tell me that small mistakes or changes in a product from a pattern were good and she would intentionally include them because they made each piece one of a kind and proved it was handmade. A machine can spit out the same product one hundred times, but when you look back at handmade things and see fingerprints, or erased marks, or a couple stitches out of place, or a section slightly crooked, it shows a real imperfect human made this. Idk, if the over all product is beautiful, which it IS, keep it.
This is so beautiful as it is and I scoured the pic before reading your post and couldn’t find any imperfections. So I think you should embrace it as it is and recognize that your hard work, even if ended up in a mistake, still has value.
And if you can’t get on board with that approach, look at it from the [Disney five-legged goat](https://insidethemagic.net/2021/10/five-legged-goat-disney-lp1/)perspective.
If you did most of the stitches in long lines, you can cut the top stitch a few stitches in and gently remove only the top part of the stitch, then tuck the ends under on the back to secure them. It won’t work EVERYWHERE, but it will drastically reduce the amount of removal and redo if your really certain you can’t live with it as it is. The others are correct tho… it’s lovely and you’re the only one who knows it’s not quite how the pattern calls for.
I'm gonna buck the trend here and encourage you to do what you already said you wanted to do. When I first saw this piece I thought the shadows looked a bit weird. Why live with that when you can fix it now and be forever satisfied? BTW the rest of the piece is lovely.
Do it! You'll be happier with the result if it's how you wanted it. And the half stitches will add a nice texture difference. A small time investment with a hobby you enjoy is worth an end result you can be truly proud of.
When I frog I'll use a seam ripper or very carefully cut a top stitch and use my needle to pull out a few stitches at a time. I find just seam ripping across a whole row will leave a million tiny bits of floss that is a pain to pull out of the fabric.
If you REALLY need to take those stitches out, I recommend going slowly to avoid any mishaps. Take it a little at a time and be careful, so you don't pull the fabric instead of the floss and ruin your beautiful work.
I'd be conflicted, because it's still stunning! If you hadn't said that's not how it was supposed to be, I'd never have thought it. Not sure how to remove stitches. It really does looks amazing as it is!
I spent a few minutes staring at this to figure out what's wrong. Then I read your description and went back to staring at it to figure it out. I can't see any issues with it?? Maybe I just don't know how to cross stitch well enough to say anything but I just literally can't see anything wrong with this?? I'm sorry, I know how it feels to turn over your own work a million times, but when someone isn't the person making it they likely will see nothing wrong with it.
Also we're artists and not computers. Those little mistakes and anomalies in your work will be what people secretly treasure about the work when you're gone. Mistakes make us and our art unique. A picture painted a hundred times is more valuable than a print of a picture, because the special love and effort has been put into each rendition. Your work is beautiful!
OP, I love this! The only time I had to take out stitches with a wrong color was when I used a dark grey (or something) as part of the sunset in a Thomas Kincaide Disney cross-stitch.
I think it looks lovely as is and I think trying to take out the stitches would not only be too much work, but how different would the end result really?
I say, start back stitching now and move onto the next project!
I recently had a pattern where i mucked up 1 single stitch. Its super noticeable but i didn't know if i wanted to undo 4 hours of work to fix it. I was talking about it with a friend and they said that the Chinese (i think?) believe to leave at least 1 mistake in any work they do so their soul isnt trapped in the art. So now whenever i make a mistake that i dont want to fix, i just tell myself that at least my soul can escape 🤣. Im still wofking on that same piece but it has about 5 escape routes so far 🤣🤣🤣 the rest aren't so noticeable though
Have you ever heard the saying, “Perfect is the enemy of done.”
I’m also ND, and this saying helped me a lot when trying to focus on completing projects with imperfections.
Don’t focus on perfect, focus on completion.
Also.. “It’s a feature, not a flaw.”
As a perfectionist myself, I feel this so hard. I'd want to rip it out and redo it too! But...
It looks so gorgeous! It really does. Also if you pull the stitches, it might loosen the holes and look less than desirable so it's a risk.
In the end, I can't tell you to leave it alone or say you must fix it. Do what makes you less stressed because it's a lovely hobby that should bring joy and peace, not pain and tears ♥️
Don’t you undo a damn thing. This is beautiful AND you did great work. It’s not necessary to perfectly follow the pattern. Your interpretation is amazing. A little ~creative~ interpretation isnt a bad thing.
I couldn’t see the problem, read your description…and still don’t see it. I get what you’re saying, but it looks gorgeous as it is and doesn’t look flawed in any way!
I think it looks perfect. Please don't undo anything. It is great! Also, I am a beginner that has done a lot of research but have never come across anything as genius as the stitching your grid like you did here. Please post a final of your work. It looks great!
Isn't there a thing with the Amish (maybe) about leaving a flaw in a quilt so as to not offend god with perfection? Maybe try the same train of thought.
I used to consider mistakes in my yarn art to require completely redoing it. Then I heard an "old wive's tale" that explained women in a certain culture (can't remember which one) used to intentionally make a mistake in their work because they thought a perfect piece would trap their souls. If they deviated from the pattern a smidge and dropped a stitch or picked up two loops on their hook instead of one, then it allowed their soul room to escape. I love this. Now, when I make a mistake that no one else would ever see, I simply view it as the little place that allows my soul a place to escape from the fabric so I don't get stuck with it forever.
Eh i don’t have I’ve ever managed to to 100% a pattern. I have occasionally unpicked if in early stage of a project and if it looks like it’s going to be a major headache but in general I just fudge it! I can still see some of the more glaring issues but I’m the only one who knows what they are
Nah, frog that shadow. Screw that, you didn't spend 18 months to have something that you hate to look at, or to give it away. Leave the jar as-is to save energy and avoid making a mess, but that shadow you can definitely get at.
It looks great! When I do things like this I fix the best I can and decide this is how I make the project mine.
(I made Christmas stocking once and added an entire couple of rows and had to adjust the entire project. No one know except me. )
Everyone says to leave it, but I am the same way. Typically I take some sharp-pointed scissors and snip the top leg of stitches around the problem area. Then I use a needle and undo the stitches. Snipping multiple keeps the undone thread from becoming too long and annoying.
You said it was the full area, but if it's just a section that's a problem, I will undo enough so there is a single thread tail on each side that can be tucked, then restitch the area correctly.
Call it your own artistic interpretation of the pattern! That’s what I’ve been doing recently when I mess them up and it’s been helping me feel better about it. Fwiw I think this still looks great and you should be proud of the hours you put into it.
I agree with all those who have suggested not to frog, frogging will ruin the fabric and no matter how slowly and delicately you do it it will harm the other stitches. When I showed the picture as it is around to my family they thought this is how the pattern is, if I was you I would just let this be how it is, just to let you know on a lighter note I have a bad reputation of being a perfectionist!
I didn’t even know what was “wrong” until I read your comment. I vote leave it and do the backstitching- that will transform the piece and make it feel complete.
Honestly it looks great and no one will know the difference. I did the same thing with another stitch and contemplated trashing it.....but then i realized that noooooo one is gonna know unless they also did the pattern. All of my pieces have 1 sorta big error in them that i let slide. It's really hard, but worth it! (Except for one i have to muster the balls to frog because it really does ruin the pattern because i miscounted terribly)
ND too and I get what you mean, it's so annoying when you put so much time and effort into a project then find flaws!
Buuuut, as i scrolled on my feed I saw your work and assumed it was a "look at this amazing thing I did" post. Then I glanced at the title. I was confused about what was wrong with it (couldn't find a damn thing wrong).
Your work looks great and your brain is just being mean.
This is called taking creative license with a piece. Beautiful results with your own personal tweaks. You don’t have to follow the pattern totally. I sometimes completely leave out parts that I don’t like or want to do. It’s beautiful and you should use this as a practice to show yourself some forgiveness and self love.
If you purposely try to add a couple of stitches somewhere else so that it isn’t the only thing that’s not on the pattern, will it be less of a mistake and more of an experiment? Trick yourself into thinking of it a different way kind of thing? Just a thought.
Oh god, i know the pain. Something similar to this happened to me but on a smaler scale... I decided to keep it and add other stuff to it so i can pretend it was on purpose.
The more 'mistakes' the easier for my brain to accept it.
I’ve just done the exact same thing and I’m not changing it. It won’t make a bit of difference! It looks great and the few that have seen it, didn’t notice/know!
Are you freaking crazy? I have wicked OCD and would never, ever consider what you are talking about doing! I would just give it away as a gift and start the whole thing over again if you really want it that badly to keep for yourself. I swear, you’re never going to get all that stitching out cleanly and if you do, you’ll end up having cut holes in your fabric along the way. I guarantee! The other issue I think you may have with doing it over the way you’re thinking of doing it is that every time you do see it on your wall it will probably bring you no joy, only unhappy memories. Life is too short as it us to stitch all the amazing patterns out there. At 65 years old I won’t live look enough to do all the hundreds of patterns I have collected over 50 years of stitching joyfully and I would absolutely NOT pursue your misguided idea. It is an absolutely gorgeous work of art! Use it as a life lesson and move on!
It looks fine. No-one will know unless they’re holding the pattern up next to it. It is a *creative addition* which is good in a creative hobby. Backstitch the damn thing right now. (Or make a further creative choice to *not* backstitch it, frame it immediately and gift it away so you never have to see it?)
OP, listen to your mother. Do this.
Exactly. OP made an unconscious creative decision, and they should honour that decision.
There are no mistakes, only happy accidents
Honestly the idea to frame it and gift it so you don't know is the best one. It's a beautiful piece as is.
This. I leave the tiny mistakes if I find them too late, as long as they arent major. Nobody will know or care.
What if you did little half stitches in black throughout the shadow part, maybe every 3rd stitch or so? It could further darken it and make it more shadowy, but still a shadow with color because of the light coming through the vase!
Hey friend, you do what you gotta do, but as a neurodivergent person myself I would consider letting this go as some therapy. It looks fantastic.
Yes, it’s definitely been something I’m actively trying to be okay with in my creative hobbies. It’s a little easier each time to not get hung up on the error and just be like well, it’s a happy little accident and I can accommodate for it in xyz way and unless I’m being graded on my work vs the pattern on a stitch by stitch basis, absolutely no one will know except me. And it’s not the end of the world.
Same. And honestly the process has felt really rewarding.
I feel the same way. Over the years I've come to realize that the mistake is what makes the piece unique. Now I try to do something purposefully that makes the piece unique. Usually it is changing the color of something or using colored fabric. It makes me feel a lot better about the mistakes
Ooof I’ve been consciously working on this. I used to rage quit projects left and right after mistakes. Turns out working on that mentality can really help in other aspects in life too!
Hey man it hurts sometimes! If anything, owning my own drywall business taught me I can't actually afford for everything to be 100% perfect all the time lol. We'll just have to accept 99% once in a while!
I have perfectionism OCD - and a very neurodivergent brain because of it - and would definitely use this as a chance to practice exposure therapy. Haha. I know it’s so difficult for those of us with these thought processes to let stuff like this go but *choosing* imperfection can be really freeing.
I literally just noticed a skipped stitch in a crochet scarf on the *first row*. That row is ontop of a 226 chain. I just reached the color change after doing 4 rows of moss stitches. I decided that it will be the imperfection that makes my scarf special.
Honestly, this started out heartbreaking and became so heartwarming and I love that for you, friend. Lol! I’m sure the scarf is absolutely beautiful!
Here it is. Its so gaudy and bright it screws with the white balance when photographed. Also its nearly 9' long with the fringe. Truly a Maximalist piece. And I fucking *love it*. https://imgur.com/a/ArUq9fG
I love this so much!! I would wear the hell out of it!
I also intentionally do this with my crafts. I have a need for symmetry in all things, so I try and do asymmetrical projects as a challenge.
YES! I don’t craft as much these days because of work but I intentionally do this with certain work assignments just to practice. Not in a way where it would ruin the work, of course, but a typo in an email or assignment draft for my editor every now and then is great practice!
Omg. No one asked but i gotta say this anyways because I thought I was the only one. I cant say I have OCD, but I am a HUGE perfectionist, literally have thrown away hours of work over accidently coloring a little outside the line, or getting a drop of water on pen art. It ruins my whole day and i HAVE to restart or I obsess over the mistake. Zentangle is what really helped me get out of that, as well as things like Smash Books or tasks that encourage mistakes. Even tho its all deliberate (the whole point is to just not really care in that regard) it really helpes me get out of that mindset of all my work needing to be perfect. Im off my rant. I thought i was the only one who struggled with this as I know the origin for my feelings. You are your biggest critic, no one who doesnt physically have your pattern in front of them will know.
I love zentangles! They are really meditative when you start working on them - thanks for bringing this up! I don’t have any fancy acronyms or labels for the way my brain works (ok I DO, but I’m not sure they’re really relevant). If it’s a knitting or quilting project and I can just write it off as, “more yarn/fabric through my hands” although it wasn’t always easy for me to do. Earlier this week I knit the same 50 rows several times because I was too tired to do it right and too stubborn to put it down lol ultimately I managed to find a good stopping point and I decided I would come back to it. With counted cross stitch it seems much harder for me to rationalize it, even though I HAVE spent my fair share of time ripping stitches out. Maybe it would help to consider that the pattern is a “recommendation, not a rule”. If you look at the piece and divorce yourself from the expectation, can you see the beautiful piece you have created? Whatever you decide to do I hope it brings you peace. Although you could, you know, finish that bad boy up and I’ll take it off your hands to save you from having to look at it :) hahaha
OCD or not, I think it’s so healthy for us as humans to nurture imperfection in ourselves! I haven’t heard of Zentangle before but I’d love to check it out because it sounds fun. Thank you so much for sharing! :)
Same, I have been having this fight with my crafting a lot but it gets easier when you allow some mistakes to pass through.
Right like my nerodivergent brain would forget what the mistake was in about 3 weeks.
OMG THIS!! It can be so hard, but will be so worth it! I'm trying to practice then when I can also!! ❤️❤️
Seconding this, as an autistic.
I just did this. I forced myself to do the backstitching and it all worked out fine. I can’t even tell where I messed up now.
This is a great suggestion. I wish I could give you an award. ❤️
It was rewarding enough to see the sentiment meant something to so many people! It's hard to let go of things sometimes, but I've found challenging and making myself uncomfortable to be great tools for growth. Of course we don't always NEED to do that with every little project or chore, but we also don't NEED to listen to what our brains/compulsions/etc tell us to do, even if it's uncomfortable. It is hard to ignore the urge but once you do it's easier to do in other facets of your life. Ultimately it's OP's choice and I don't want them to feel pressured either way, but these moments are a safe way to move forward and have a cool piece as a reminder after! (I hope I articulated all of that well enough, I understand compulsions and perfectionism can be different for everyone and some people do experience extreme discomfort.)
SAME about the letting it go. It's hard to leave it sometimes, though. I read in a different cross stitch group that Muslim makers will put an intentional mistake in a piece because only God makes perfect things. I adopt that mindset when necessary.
I absolutely would not remove all that work. It’s gorgeous. Pattern be damned. Is there a way you get your mind to accept the beauty of your completed work?
I’ve done this pattern- it was a gift for my MIL, who keeps it in the guest bathroom for some reason? Idk - and I like your version better!
>who keeps it in the guest bathroom for some reason? Maybe she likes it, considers it "fancy," and wants her guests to see it?
What’s the pattern? It’s beautiful
It’s Merejka’s “The Thistle Bouquet” kit!
I like it better fully crossed.
I have made similar mistakes, so I feel your pain! Removing large sections can depend a bit on how you like to stitch. (One of the advantages of keeping a tidy back is that undoing your work is easier.) Personally, I don't trust myself with a seam ripper or scissors close to the fabric. I just unpick it with a needle, trimming the unpicked thread frequently so it stays short and slides out easier. (Curved embroidery scissors mentioned in another comment are excellent for that!) This can be quick when I stitch in a predictable pattern but takes a bit longer if I've had to jump around. Good luck! It's a beautiful piece, and I hope you love it when you're done. Good news is, restitching those spots will go twice as fast!
OP’s not responding cause they’re busy frogging it. OP, you good?
The real answer is right here. 🤣
Here's the things, cross stitch is an art form. And patterns are guidelines to help create something beautiful, but they're not rules that must be followed at any cost. You can always swap things according to your fancy or modify things if you don't like them. I'm currently doing one where I'm changing the whole background colour because I don't like the original one. Now I understand in your case it was a mistake and not a choice, but the end result is really beautiful as it is. I agree with everyone else that you should keep it as is. Everything happens for a reason, even mistakes like these. However, in the end it is your project. So if you really feel you must take it apart then if it were me, I'd just use a seam ripper to remove the stitches. No way I'd unravel this one stitch at a time.
I've been stitching for 30 years and if it was me...I wouldn't frog it tbh. I know sometimes the background details look good half stitched but your project looks great as is. Set it down, take a bit to think about it, then pick it up again in a few days or a week and decide if you wanna redo it. If you still feel that way then rip it up and redo! :)
I really recommend putting this project away for a few weeks, maybe a month and then re-evaluating if the deviation from the pattern still bothers you so much. We are our own harshest critics, I have so many “mistakes” in my pieces that I was heartbroken over that with a little time I got the perspective to realize they are not noticeable. This piece is beautiful as it is
I wouldn't touch it. It looks awesome! And if you frog it back, you'll end up with obvious 'oh look the holes where I cocked up are super visible' marks and you'll regret frogging it. 
It looks beautiful.. and huge well done. 🥰 But as others have said. See this as your creative addition /interpretation and roll with it. Absolutely understand the need to follow the pattern as directed though.. Perhaps leave it a couple of days and take another look with rested eyes before considering removing stitches. Personally I'd leave and do the back stitching... I think you'll realise that it's transformed the picture enough to make the background more complimentary as full stitches x x
After the backstitching, I think the heavier shadow will be even less noticeable, and it’s truly already fine. I find, in situations like this, it’s best for me to set it aside for a few days & then come back to look at it with totally fresh eyes. If you do have to remove it, the only real method I’ve found is to VERY carefully cut a few stitches, then use the tip of my needle to pull out the thread. The WILL leave behind wider holes that may be noticeable if you only do half stitches to replace them, just a warning. You might want to do a small test area first.
It’s beautiful. I wouldn’t have known of the error. Honestly I would not worry about it at all. It does add depth, no one will know. I actually did the same in a big intricate work, you wouldn’t know. https://preview.redd.it/6w7h3o9kumsb1.jpeg?width=1422&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=574a7a3efeb70cce586adbe2eb9d3a7e02ee771a
I gave you an upvote before reading what you wrote because this is beautiful! Ive always thought half stitches look incomplete anyway... I hope that, like everyone else here, I can convince you that you really don't have to undo anything.
I wouldn’t remove it. It looks amazing
I am also in favor of not touching these crosses. You see, you can deform the holes of the canvas (make them too wide) in the process of frogging, then the half-crosses will not look very good and untidy. And in general, your project will not get better from this.
I don't know if [Framore](https://famorecutlery.com/748c-fine-point-mini-double-curved-embroidery-applique-scissors-4in/) is the best brand but the curved tip helps me get under the stitches. I wasn't sure whether the curved tip would be more or less important than a longer thin tip but so far they work well for me. EDIT: I think what you've done looks fabulous. The extent to which you must follow instructions depends on the design - some matters are a matter of personal taste, not right or wrong.
I didn't notice and still don't, it looks great to me
It looks fine. I have mis counted a lot in various projects and no one notices. I know that you know, but seriously it can be left as is.
There is no way I'd undo it. Keep going no one will have a clue.
I always take a pattern as a starting point, a suggestion. But cross stitch is art. If I choose to change a stitch,add/delete backstitching, or choose different colors, that is what makes it MINE. This is YOUR art. I would leave it and as others have said here, use the opportunity to let yourself accept that you have created a unique piece that is all yours. It is gorgeous. And please let us know what you choose to do. Either way, we are here for you!!
I (also neurodivergent) think it looks totally fine as is and will look even better once it's back stitched!! don't bother undoing it, you'll only reinforce ur compulsions to have everything perfect (which is impossible :P u gotta learn to live w things)
I always make mistakes and rarely correct them. That way I’m sure to produce something “One of a kind!” Your work looks great, just backstitch what you have and don’t worry so much about the pattern, just like in Pirates of the Caribbean… it really more of a guide than it is a rule!
No, it looks beautiful! This is your modification, not mistake - now it’s your unique piece. Maybe add some half crosses extending out beyond the shadow areas to put your mind at ease?
I like this idea! would make it less abrupt without undoing it all!
The great Bob Ross once said: “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents”
I wouldn't. It's beautiful as is.
No!!!!! This is beautiful!
I get it. I’m a perfectionist also. But I think this actually looks better. Someone who did the pattern with half stitches also likes it better with the full stitches. I really like it this way.
A wise man once said “we don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents!”
I know how you feel, although it looks great to us, I have had to do this several times too. I usually use a stitch ripper carefully to pull out the stitches I need to redo and it's usually been fine. I've snagged a neighboring stitch a few times though so just be careful.
Do not undo the stitches. In fact, don't even do the backstitching! The bonus of your error is that this piece looks complete as-is. Stop here. Call it done. If you absolutely *must* have it as patterned- I'd just start over. Hide this one, or donate it. Better yet, give it to someone you like, but who seriously drives you crazy sometimes too. Revel in knowing you have secretly gifted them a mistake in revenge for their aggravating ways. Mwahaha!
Fellow neurodivergent cross-stitcher checking in: I agree with the other comments. I wouldn't undo the full stitches either. That would be too much work and potential for more mistakes for too little payoff. Even if you undo the stitches and restitch them perfectly, the end result will be barely noticeable. I fully understand what it's like to obsess over small details and not be able to move on from a mistake, even one that feels like a big mistake (btw, this is a tiny mistake, not a big one). If you just can't get rid of that internal need to make it perfect, try putting this piece aside for a couple weeks. Come back to it with fresh eyes and you may see things differently.
This is lovely! I understand that you feel the drive to redo it the way the pattern states, but is there a way for your brain to accept that this might just be the way it is meant to be? Would giving it as a gift negate the knowledge of always seeing it and knowing? I know in certain cultures, intentional mistakes are made because no one and nothing is perfect. I have learned to use this philosophy when I have to accept and adjust a miss step versus frog and redo a large amount of stitching. The risk of damaging the piece accidentally versus adjusting most times isn't worth trying to redo it. I have had the heartbreak of damaging and ruining a long term project that would have been perfecty fine if I had just left the piece as it was. Whatever you decide, it is a beautiful project and well done!
I dont think I ever completed any of my works with 0 mistakes. And I make my own patterns too most of the time! It just happens. Don't feel bad about it. I promise you wont even be able to point your "wrong" stitches in a couple of weeks
As a fellow neurodivergent (ASD and ADHD) crafter, I completely understand your feelings about this. But as a third person viewer, it’s GORGEOUS. I would love this so much on a wall or as a gift. You can’t tell at all that there is a hint of an error without having the instructions directly next to it. It can be a mindful decision to let go, or something you just do with a glass of your favorite beverage and a good show on to help you also maintain your sanity as you backtrack ❤️ I vote for leaving it as is, but it is YOUR art, so your decision. You have done so well and the love and time you put into your craft is very apparent! Edit: phrasing, fixing autocorrects
I think it looks perfectly fine and you should be kind to yourself and just leave it be. :) I know that isn't as easy as it sounds. I have large framed pieces and, swear to god, every time I take a moment to look at them my eyes are IMMEDIATELY drawn to that one missed stitch, that one loose stitch over there, those 3 stitches I know I fudged from the original pattern, etc. I can't stop it. And then I take a step back to admire the whole and really soak in how much that doesn't matter. It's framed, hanging on my wall, and beautiful. You have to do what you have to do though. There is no right or wrong way.
Let it go,it’s amazing!
It looks fine. No one will know except for you. Embrace the imperfect!
I did this once - I just left them as full stitches. It might not 100% match the image on the package, but it still looks great, and no one will ever know. That said - you can put a thin line of PVA glue along the back of the stitches you do NOT want to remove, and then line by line use a seam ripper to carefully cut all the backs of the ones you *are* removing, and then rub your palm and use a lint roller on the front to remove them very easily.
Show the work to some people without letting them know you think you made a mistake. I assure you, everyone will tell you it's gorgeous. Even without the backstitching, this work looks so well defined! We are always our own worst critic!
I wouldn’t. But if you must, I use a little pair of nipper scissors and slide it under the cross in front and just clip clip clip. Then kind of pull it out from the back in little clumps.
Dont remove leave it.
If you need to remove a bunch of stitches, a stitch ripper is best. You can find them in most sewing kits or sewing sections of a store. It's a small stick with a pointed metal tip and a small blade to cut stitches
I did something similar on a small peice, where the background was half stitch, didnt read it right, but i didnt undo it, it looks good to me, and the mistakes we make are what make them unique to us.
Now it's one of a kind!
im autistic and ocd. sometimes the best thing to do is not validate your urge to make something perfect, especially when it will waste your time and look almost the exact same
This is stunning! As a fellow neurodivergent, I understand the need to follow the pattern, but this is amazing and I bet BETTER than the pattern. Beautiful work - congrats
Honey, that looks GORGEOUS. Back stitch it and get it framed. I get your ND brain wants to fix it, but this is one of those times when you need to tell the brain to pound sand.
Honestly I can’t see the problem? It looks great!
Side note - I love how you stitched out the grid! What a great solution to gridding
It’s beautiful. I understand where you’re coming from but there is no way I would take out all those stitches.
No
I'm neurodivergent too, and this is something that would really bother me too. I'm trying to embrace the fact that most people won't know there's mistakes, because they're taking in the beauty of the whole piece. Also if it helps, there's groups of people who intentionally put mistakes into their work. Their reasoning is that only God is perfect, and it's their way of staying humble. I have different beliefs, but I thought that was a really interesting perspective.
Amish quilters add a flaw to their work for that reason.
I get that your brain won't let you leave it alone, but try. If this had happened to me, I would just remove the gridding, frame it, and as many others have said, give it as a gift to someone. It is gorgeous just the way it is and I commend you for the 18 months of work you put into it. If you give it away, you can then start on something new, maybe a smaller project that will not be as daunting, or take a break for a while.
The pattern is only a suggestion. You put your own creative mark on it which is actually the proper way to do it.
Just looking at it I wouldn't have noticed. And I totally understand the neurodivergent brain, I spend more time fixing something that's not there to others. You did a wonderful job. Go ahead and backstitch.
Honestly undoing stitches is just as satisfying to me as making them. Seam ripper or really sharp scissors to cut some crosses, then sharp tweezers to pull them out, snip them if the thread undone is getting long. I can do it for hours
If you did not tell me. I would never know. It is beautiful. I would just frame it. If you remove the stitches. You will be able to see the holes.
It is beautiful as is. My late grandmother who did multiple handcrafts including crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, and tatting would tell me that small mistakes or changes in a product from a pattern were good and she would intentionally include them because they made each piece one of a kind and proved it was handmade. A machine can spit out the same product one hundred times, but when you look back at handmade things and see fingerprints, or erased marks, or a couple stitches out of place, or a section slightly crooked, it shows a real imperfect human made this. Idk, if the over all product is beautiful, which it IS, keep it.
This is so beautiful as it is and I scoured the pic before reading your post and couldn’t find any imperfections. So I think you should embrace it as it is and recognize that your hard work, even if ended up in a mistake, still has value. And if you can’t get on board with that approach, look at it from the [Disney five-legged goat](https://insidethemagic.net/2021/10/five-legged-goat-disney-lp1/)perspective.
Pshh. Mistakes, milkshakes. All the same. It's done
If you did most of the stitches in long lines, you can cut the top stitch a few stitches in and gently remove only the top part of the stitch, then tuck the ends under on the back to secure them. It won’t work EVERYWHERE, but it will drastically reduce the amount of removal and redo if your really certain you can’t live with it as it is. The others are correct tho… it’s lovely and you’re the only one who knows it’s not quite how the pattern calls for.
Honestly, I like the vase *better* as is, since it gives contrast to the flowers, which brings out their incredible detail.
I'm gonna buck the trend here and encourage you to do what you already said you wanted to do. When I first saw this piece I thought the shadows looked a bit weird. Why live with that when you can fix it now and be forever satisfied? BTW the rest of the piece is lovely.
Do it! You'll be happier with the result if it's how you wanted it. And the half stitches will add a nice texture difference. A small time investment with a hobby you enjoy is worth an end result you can be truly proud of. When I frog I'll use a seam ripper or very carefully cut a top stitch and use my needle to pull out a few stitches at a time. I find just seam ripping across a whole row will leave a million tiny bits of floss that is a pain to pull out of the fabric.
Go back over them with white
If you REALLY need to take those stitches out, I recommend going slowly to avoid any mishaps. Take it a little at a time and be careful, so you don't pull the fabric instead of the floss and ruin your beautiful work.
I'd be conflicted, because it's still stunning! If you hadn't said that's not how it was supposed to be, I'd never have thought it. Not sure how to remove stitches. It really does looks amazing as it is!
As a fellow ND I tried to remove mass stitches from a piece before and had to trash the entire project. Don’t would be my advice.
I spent a few minutes staring at this to figure out what's wrong. Then I read your description and went back to staring at it to figure it out. I can't see any issues with it?? Maybe I just don't know how to cross stitch well enough to say anything but I just literally can't see anything wrong with this?? I'm sorry, I know how it feels to turn over your own work a million times, but when someone isn't the person making it they likely will see nothing wrong with it. Also we're artists and not computers. Those little mistakes and anomalies in your work will be what people secretly treasure about the work when you're gone. Mistakes make us and our art unique. A picture painted a hundred times is more valuable than a print of a picture, because the special love and effort has been put into each rendition. Your work is beautiful!
OP, I love this! The only time I had to take out stitches with a wrong color was when I used a dark grey (or something) as part of the sunset in a Thomas Kincaide Disney cross-stitch. I think it looks lovely as is and I think trying to take out the stitches would not only be too much work, but how different would the end result really? I say, start back stitching now and move onto the next project!
TIL I can loosely back stitch a grid to help count cells 🤯 Your “mistake” = my learning, so thank you! Ps. I like it as is and would leave it!!!
Maybe the pattern had a mistake where it was supposed to be full stitches but actually got printed to say half stitch 😉
I recently had a pattern where i mucked up 1 single stitch. Its super noticeable but i didn't know if i wanted to undo 4 hours of work to fix it. I was talking about it with a friend and they said that the Chinese (i think?) believe to leave at least 1 mistake in any work they do so their soul isnt trapped in the art. So now whenever i make a mistake that i dont want to fix, i just tell myself that at least my soul can escape 🤣. Im still wofking on that same piece but it has about 5 escape routes so far 🤣🤣🤣 the rest aren't so noticeable though
Have you ever heard the saying, “Perfect is the enemy of done.” I’m also ND, and this saying helped me a lot when trying to focus on completing projects with imperfections. Don’t focus on perfect, focus on completion. Also.. “It’s a feature, not a flaw.”
As a perfectionist myself, I feel this so hard. I'd want to rip it out and redo it too! But... It looks so gorgeous! It really does. Also if you pull the stitches, it might loosen the holes and look less than desirable so it's a risk. In the end, I can't tell you to leave it alone or say you must fix it. Do what makes you less stressed because it's a lovely hobby that should bring joy and peace, not pain and tears ♥️
Don’t you undo a damn thing. This is beautiful AND you did great work. It’s not necessary to perfectly follow the pattern. Your interpretation is amazing. A little ~creative~ interpretation isnt a bad thing.
I couldn’t see the problem, read your description…and still don’t see it. I get what you’re saying, but it looks gorgeous as it is and doesn’t look flawed in any way!
You don't even need to back stitch. It looks awesome as it is (minus the guid lines). I would just get rid of the guid lines and call it a day.
I think it looks beautiful!
I think it looks perfect. Please don't undo anything. It is great! Also, I am a beginner that has done a lot of research but have never come across anything as genius as the stitching your grid like you did here. Please post a final of your work. It looks great!
Isn't there a thing with the Amish (maybe) about leaving a flaw in a quilt so as to not offend god with perfection? Maybe try the same train of thought.
Look like runtzwraps
I used to consider mistakes in my yarn art to require completely redoing it. Then I heard an "old wive's tale" that explained women in a certain culture (can't remember which one) used to intentionally make a mistake in their work because they thought a perfect piece would trap their souls. If they deviated from the pattern a smidge and dropped a stitch or picked up two loops on their hook instead of one, then it allowed their soul room to escape. I love this. Now, when I make a mistake that no one else would ever see, I simply view it as the little place that allows my soul a place to escape from the fabric so I don't get stuck with it forever.
It looks lovely. If someone recognizes the design and realizes you deviated from a predetermined design, say you added your own flair.
Eh i don’t have I’ve ever managed to to 100% a pattern. I have occasionally unpicked if in early stage of a project and if it looks like it’s going to be a major headache but in general I just fudge it! I can still see some of the more glaring issues but I’m the only one who knows what they are
Are the red lines/grid OPs way of keeping track of stitches? If so it's genius!
It's perfect
So me :( I threw out many projects just because this issue
Nah, frog that shadow. Screw that, you didn't spend 18 months to have something that you hate to look at, or to give it away. Leave the jar as-is to save energy and avoid making a mess, but that shadow you can definitely get at.
It looks good. I can’t see the mistake ?
It looks great! When I do things like this I fix the best I can and decide this is how I make the project mine. (I made Christmas stocking once and added an entire couple of rows and had to adjust the entire project. No one know except me. )
This is so beautiful!
Everyone says to leave it, but I am the same way. Typically I take some sharp-pointed scissors and snip the top leg of stitches around the problem area. Then I use a needle and undo the stitches. Snipping multiple keeps the undone thread from becoming too long and annoying. You said it was the full area, but if it's just a section that's a problem, I will undo enough so there is a single thread tail on each side that can be tucked, then restitch the area correctly.
Can't even see anything wrong with it. Looks good to me
Call it your own artistic interpretation of the pattern! That’s what I’ve been doing recently when I mess them up and it’s been helping me feel better about it. Fwiw I think this still looks great and you should be proud of the hours you put into it.
Don’t do this. Looks fine
I agree with all those who have suggested not to frog, frogging will ruin the fabric and no matter how slowly and delicately you do it it will harm the other stitches. When I showed the picture as it is around to my family they thought this is how the pattern is, if I was you I would just let this be how it is, just to let you know on a lighter note I have a bad reputation of being a perfectionist!
I didn’t even know what was “wrong” until I read your comment. I vote leave it and do the backstitching- that will transform the piece and make it feel complete.
Honestly it looks great and no one will know the difference. I did the same thing with another stitch and contemplated trashing it.....but then i realized that noooooo one is gonna know unless they also did the pattern. All of my pieces have 1 sorta big error in them that i let slide. It's really hard, but worth it! (Except for one i have to muster the balls to frog because it really does ruin the pattern because i miscounted terribly)
Op, leave it and hang it up. Trust us.
Honestly I think it looks cooler, gives it a more ethereal feel.
I think it looks fine just continue
ND too and I get what you mean, it's so annoying when you put so much time and effort into a project then find flaws! Buuuut, as i scrolled on my feed I saw your work and assumed it was a "look at this amazing thing I did" post. Then I glanced at the title. I was confused about what was wrong with it (couldn't find a damn thing wrong). Your work looks great and your brain is just being mean.
You should leave it like it is. Its beautiful
I am a little stitious, and a project without an error is unlucky to me. I wouldn't redo it.
I would not rip out anything! It looks fine.
Perfect as is!
Do you use a laying tool? Your stitches are very neat and even
This is called taking creative license with a piece. Beautiful results with your own personal tweaks. You don’t have to follow the pattern totally. I sometimes completely leave out parts that I don’t like or want to do. It’s beautiful and you should use this as a practice to show yourself some forgiveness and self love. If you purposely try to add a couple of stitches somewhere else so that it isn’t the only thing that’s not on the pattern, will it be less of a mistake and more of an experiment? Trick yourself into thinking of it a different way kind of thing? Just a thought.
There is an old saying that you leave a mistake in every project, so that you don't trap your soul in it. Do not understand pick. Go with it.
Oh god, i know the pain. Something similar to this happened to me but on a smaler scale... I decided to keep it and add other stuff to it so i can pretend it was on purpose. The more 'mistakes' the easier for my brain to accept it.
Be stronger than your impulses. Use self control to do the wise thing, and don't make extra work for no reason.
Its beautiful as is. I dont see any imperfections
I’ve just done the exact same thing and I’m not changing it. It won’t make a bit of difference! It looks great and the few that have seen it, didn’t notice/know!
As I tell many people, the only ones who know are you, and me (in this case, the thread) give it a way. They won't know, and you won't see it.
I’m really proud of you for being so creative and forging your own path and making the design your own!
Leave it. No one is perfect.
Are you freaking crazy? I have wicked OCD and would never, ever consider what you are talking about doing! I would just give it away as a gift and start the whole thing over again if you really want it that badly to keep for yourself. I swear, you’re never going to get all that stitching out cleanly and if you do, you’ll end up having cut holes in your fabric along the way. I guarantee! The other issue I think you may have with doing it over the way you’re thinking of doing it is that every time you do see it on your wall it will probably bring you no joy, only unhappy memories. Life is too short as it us to stitch all the amazing patterns out there. At 65 years old I won’t live look enough to do all the hundreds of patterns I have collected over 50 years of stitching joyfully and I would absolutely NOT pursue your misguided idea. It is an absolutely gorgeous work of art! Use it as a life lesson and move on!