NFSAL 2020 - Announcement Post

A bit later than planned but it took a lot more work than expected. This post will explain more about the NFSAL. I'm going to shamelessly copy parts of the post that Carla made over on Deviant Art last year (with permission of course!), and with a few additions, to help explain things as she is a big part of what the NFSAL is and has become over the years.

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What is Neglected Floss Stitch Along?  It is a wonderful way for everyone to utilise that floss that has been hanging around your stash.  For some, it probably bothers you just a tiny bit that you have these flosses that never get used or there is just a tiny bit left of some speciality floss that you may never use again from a kit. Here is the best way to ensure you use every one of your stashed flosses at least once, or finish them off entirely!  Gifted floss, those bobbins that sit quietly in your floss boxes, bags, or drawer never getting used or are forgotten; this stitch along is a lovely way to get that floss used.

• The first year it was an anything goes thing when it came to colour.
• The second year had an optional key so that you had an idea of where to go with the colours if you liked them.
• The third year was something very different for the NFSAL; not only were there twelve biscornu/pincushion patterns BUT there was also an optional whole year frame in case you'd like to do a larger thing.
• The fourth year boasted a new pattern every month and each month's pattern was a different size and design. The patterns could be square, diamond, round, just about any shape you might imagine.

This year we will be going back to the way things were done in the third year... with a difference! Not only will there be the option to do either a full year frame or the individual patterns but you will also be given not one, but two single pattern sized borders so you could make each month's pattern individually but then bigger!

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What: 

• This is a SAL to use your neglected floss.
• The patterns can be three sizes depending on what you choose to do.
• The patterns use cross stitch, straight stitch and backstitch  
• There will be twelve monthly patterns. 
• The each pattern is given in four colours.

Where: 

• All patterns are posted here on my blog.
• There is a Facebook group to share progress and talk about the project here.

 When:

• You get the patterns for the borders and whole year frame now - scroll down to the bottom for the patterns.
• New patterns will be given every fourth Friday of the month - there will be a "calendar" in the side bar so you can see the exact dates, which will be added sometime in December
• I will start on the 24th of January 2020.

Stitch size:

• Single monthly pattern: 45 stitches square
• Single mini border for one monthly pattern: 65 stitches square
• Whole year frame: 175 x 230 stitches

Floss:

4 colours for the whole year or 4 colours per month. I am giving the floss amounts with the colours I charted with, if you want to change the colours then by all means do so. In fact that's what whole point of the NFSAL! Please note that the floss amounts are based on 14ct aida, if you use a higher count fabric then you will need less floss. As you can see below it was already a huge undertaking to do it for just the one fabric count - doing it for more was just too much work. If you need help with floss amounts either comment below or ask in the Facebook group.

Amounts:

• If you do each month without the frame you will need for all 12 patterns:
• 0.8 skein of DMC 800
• 0.7 skein of DMC 809
• 0.8 skein of DMC 798
• 0.9 skein of DMC 820
• If you use more colours you will need less per colour - you should have enough with 0.1 skein of floss per colour per month.
• If you want to do a mini border around the basic pattern then you will need per border in addition to the floss for the monthly pattern: 
• For mini border 1:
• 0.1 skein of DMC 800
• 0.2 skein of DMC 798
• 0.3 skein of DMC 820
• For mini border 2:
• 0.1 skein of DMC 800
• 0.2 skein of DMC 809
• 0.3 skein of DMC 820
• For twelve mini borders you will need for the borders ONLY in addition to the floss for the monthly patterns: 
• If you only use mini border 1:
• 0.2 skein of DMC 800
• 2.3 skeins of DMC 798
• 3 skeins of DMC 820
• If you only use mini border 2:
• 0.2 skein of DMC 800
• 2.7 skeins of DMC 809
• 3 skeins of DMC 820
• For six of each:
• 0.2 skein of DMC 800
• 1.3 skeins of DMC 809
• 1.1 skeins of DMC 798
• 3 skeins of DMC 820
• For the whole year frame ONLY you will need:
• 0.1 skein of DMC 800
• 0.6 skein of DMC 809
• 0.8 skein of DMC 798
• 1.7 skeins of DMC 820
• If you are only using 4 colours for the entire NFSAL with the whole year frame then you will need:
• 0.9 skein of DMC 800
• 1.3 skeins of DMC 809
• 1.6 skeins of DMC 798
• 2.6 skeins of DMC 820
• If you are using different colours per month then see the bit without the frame.

Fabric:

You can use any fabric you like - if you want it smaller use a higher count fabric, if you want it bigger use a lower count fabric. Given that there are so many variables for this I am only giving the sizes for 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave. If you wish to calculate the fabric for yourself based on your plans or with less finishing space then this is a helpful tool. If you need help either comment below or ask in the Facebook group.

• If you do each month as a pincushion/biscornu you will need a square of fabric of 10" square for the stitched front, which includes 3" framing allowance on each side. Or 14" x 10" if you want a front and a back.
• If you want to do each month with a mini border then you will need a square of fabric that is 11" square
• If you want to do 12 mini frames on the same fabric you will need to stitch them 10 stitches apart. For this you will need a piece of fabric that is 23" x 29", which includes 3" framing allowance on each side.. If you want to stitch them further apart you will need more fabric. 
• If you also want to stitch a back for each of the patterns you will need a piece of fabric that is 39" x 29", which includes 3" framing allowance on each side.
• If you want to do it with the frame then you need fabric at is 19" x 23", which includes 3" framing allowance on each side.

The patterns:

Click to enlarge to see the Whole Year Frame details.

You can download the Whole Year Frame here

Mini Border 1

You can download Mini Border 1 here

Mini Border 2

You can download Mini Border 2 here

Sunday and Monday I'll be taking a short break, it's my 50th birthday on Monday and I want to have time to celebrate it. On Tuesday I'll be back with the November Blackwork SAL, Wednesday AND Thursday for more SAL announcement posts, Friday for a Friday Freebie, and finally Saturday for the very last SAL announcement post!  *phew*