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Blended Colors vs. Solid Colors in Cross Stitch

Blended Colors vs. Solid Colors in Cross Stitch

Posted by Tracey M. Kramer on 28th Sep 2016

Blended Colors Vs. Full Colors


There are projects that require blended colors, and there are some that do not and simply use solid colors.  Blended colors consist of separating one strand of floss from one color and placing it with another strand of floss from another color, and together they make a blended strand.  Solid color use is simply using strands of the same colors.  Some people like working with blended colors and don’t mind the tedious work of blending them, but there are others like myself who prefer working with solid colors which is far less tedious and takes less time to complete the project.  I have worked one or two cross stitch projects in my lifetime that called for blended colors along with solid colors, and I’d have to say the solid color patterns work up a lot quicker.  For example, I currently am working on a blended color pattern in my bedroom that is going on Year No. 8—can you believe it!  As a result of this extra work, I find I really have no incentive to gingerly hop up in the chair to my floor stand frame and finish my project (with a smile on my face) in a timely manner because of having to deal with the blends.  When I do and if I do decide to finish my project, it will be a major accomplishment of something I should have finished a long time ago.  With blended colors, the work becomes more time-consuming because in order to keep your sanity, you have to separate and create a palette of those blended colors, and even go as far as pre-threading with multiple needles all of the blended colors in order to achieve some sort of efficiency. 

Achieve Realistic Results with More Solid Colors

On the other hand, working with solid color patterns moves a lot faster for me, and I am able to get the project done a lot quicker.  Some people prefer working on blended color patterns because they think the flow of colors is going to be more spectacular, but I am here to tell you that you can achieve the same results by simply using more colors or purchasing patterns that use an abundance of colors.  In our designs here at Sunrays Creations, we take pride in using more colors than the average pattern so that not only do we achieve a finished project that looks very realistic (similar to a photograph), but the vibrancy of color and definition are never compromised.  Our patterns look just as vibrant as blended color patterns, and the beauty of this is that the project can be completed in half the time as opposed to a blended color project.  Of interest to note is that a pattern that has far less colors in it is going to yield a pretty dull, boring and washed out looking pattern when compared to one loaded with many colors that will make it much more realistic.


Personally, if given a choice, when I have the opportunity to work on a solid color pattern, I am going to go the solid color route unless I have no plans of finishing the project before the next century.

It's a Matter of Personal Preference

Some cross stitch websites offer blended color patterns as an option as well as solid color patterns.  To simplify things, we here at Sunrays Creations simply offer solid color patterns, but we use an abundance of colors that will still give you a glorious effect of color, and you’ll be able to complete your project much quicker, preferably in this lifetime.  But, I say to you “to each his own.”  There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s just a matter of preference.