Building help

Short guides for every step. Still stuck? Tap WhatsApp at the top and we'll help.

1. Tying on

Put the board flat on a table with the arrow (pin 0) at the top. Your kit page tells you which pin to start on.

  1. Leave about 10 cm of loose thread.
  2. Wrap the thread twice around the starting pin.
  3. Tie a tight double knot and trim the tail to about 1 cm.

2. Keeping it tight

Tension is the secret to a sharp portrait. Each step:

  1. Pull the thread across the board to the next pin.
  2. Wrap it once around the outside of that pin, going the same way each time.
  3. Keep a little pull on the spool so the line stays straight. Not so hard that the pin bends.

Rest the spool in a bowl or mug so it can roll freely.

3. Fixing a wrong line

It happens to everyone. Don't cut the thread.

  1. Press Back in the app until it shows the step you got wrong.
  2. Unwind the thread back to that pin.
  3. Carry on from there.

One or two wrong lines among thousands won't show in the finished portrait, so don't worry if you only notice much later.

4. Tying off

At the last step, wrap the thread twice around the final pin and tie a double knot. A dab of clear glue on the knot keeps it secure. Trim the end.

Running out of thread or a break

Your kit has more thread than your design needs. If the thread breaks, tie the two ends together with a small knot right next to a pin, so it hides behind the next wrap, and keep going.

5. Hanging it

Use a single picture hook or a nail, and hang the board from its top edge (pin 0). Keep it out of strong direct sun so the thread doesn't fade.

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