Why the closest RGB isn't the closest floss
Screens mix light, floss reflects it, and two colours with similar numbers can look quite different to the eye, especially in dark greens and skin tones. Hoop compares colours in a space built around human vision (CIE Lab with the CIE94 difference), then ranks DMC's current colours.
Always check a match against the real skein in daylight. Dye lots vary a little and screens are never perfectly calibrated.
Questions
How many colours should I pick?
Between 10 and 16 suits most photos. Fewer colours make a bolder, more graphic pattern and fewer skeins. Portraits with soft skin tones need 20 or more.
How is the skein count worked out?
From the number of stitches in each colour, the fabric count and two strands, with half again added for starting, ending and travelling on the back. A DMC skein is 8 metres of six strands. Buy one spare of any colour you use a lot.
Which fabric should I buy?
14-count aida is the usual start: easy to see and count. 16 and 18 make a smaller, finer piece from the same pattern. Cut your fabric 3 inches (7.5 cm) bigger than the design on every side.
More from Hoop
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