Thoughts on embroidery

Scarf for uncle is finished and shipped.

Gift for new little person in the world is done and blocking. No pictures until mom & son receive package!

So, it's back to Saffy. The left side is almost done and my thoughts have turned towards the embroidery.

There is to be a little embroidered cross (bullion stitches) at the center of each pattern at the purl stitch.  The pattern recommends embroidering before seaming, which makes sense given that the yarn will shrink 20% in the first wash. Grumperina asked if I would be using separate pieces of yarn to do the embroidery or just carry one long strand throughout. My first reaction was to use little pieces and then weave in the ends, but I'm still mulling it over.

Here's the back:

I was thinking that if I use one long strand, the floats might be too long and get all funky with the shrinkage, but if I use smaller pieces, then I may have to contend with little pieces of yarn sticking out all over the place. What to do? I'm open to suggestions/opinions!

Comments

[grumperina]

If you use one big piece, you may want to secure it in a few spots as you move from one pattern repeat to the next. Just thread through a purl bump here and there. However, I'd be concerned how all that would look after washing... And it may still catch your fingers. I'm not sure what the best solution might be...

[Betsy]

I vote for embroidery after washing, and then, like Kathy said, sort of weaving it in as you go, one big piece...

[Theresa]

What about one big piece, but duplicate stitching it across the back as you go across the row? Kind of like weaving in ends, but longer. Then it'll shrink with the rest of it when it's washed.

[June]

I hate fussy things like that. How 'bout washing everything first (incl. embroidery yarn), then using long strands that are woven in (or tacked down, say 1x an inch) as you go?

[Siow Chin]

I would say go without the embroidery, it looks good like that. And if you do want to embroider, like June suggests, remember to pre-wash the denim embroidery yarn.

[Eva (EvaLux)]

Hello (lurker here), I don't know if you'd have to do it before or after the washing, but I'd suggest going in diagonals from one spot to the next. Looks like those distances are shortest (as opposed to up-down or left-right). And maybe you should indeed tack it down every so many stitches.
Cheers Eva

[Cheryl]

Ooh, that is a tough one. None of the solutions seem just right, but I'd say go with Kathy's suggestion of weaving it through the purl bumps here and there.

[Amy]

The answer you are looking for is: the bedazzler. Why mess with ends to weave in when you can just rivet your way to sparkling glamour?

[Jennifer]

I'd definitely recommend long strands over little pieces. I love the way Saffy is turning out.
Can't wait to see what you've made for my little person!!