My next challenge was to try Drawn Thread Embroidery and Hardanger.
After getting reacquainted with cross stitch and trying out Blackwork for the first time, it was time to continue learning about counted thread embroidery techniques by trying out Drawn Thread and Hardanger.
Drawn Thread Embroidery
Drawn Thread embroidery was also pretty new to me. I had done a couple of lines of drawn thread in a sampler kit I had completed, but it still felt like a really new technique to me. This technique does not really lend itself to using one of my designs, so I plumped for the option of doing a sampler. You can't really beat a sampler for trying out new stitches and techniques, after all that's what they're for. So I started reading a couple of books on the subject and chose a few different rows that I wanted to try.
It doesn't matter how much reading you do or how many pictures and instructions you look at, it is still daunting when you have to start cutting your fabric!
I used 27 count evenweave fabric for this with perlé 8 white thread, not forgetting to mix in some metallic thread and some beads for good measure! I tried out several different stitches including woven wheels, needleweaving, ladder stitch and various types of hemstitch of which I think the interlaced hemstitch with beads is my favourite.
I thoroughly enjoyed stitching this sampler. I love the way that although the sampler is white, once you put it on a dark background it really comes to life. The dark background shows through and shows off the beautiful patterns you have created.
Hardanger embroidery
Next it was on to Hardanger. Hardanger embroidery is a form of whitework embroidery, which originates from the Hardangerfjord region in Western Norway. It is a beautiful area, which I am lucky enough to have visited, although unfortunately it was before I knew anything about this type of embroidery. At least that gives me good reason to visit again! Hardanger is traditionally used to decorate the folk costume of the region called the bunad.
This was the first time I had attempted Hardanger, so I decided to keep it simple and stitch a small traditional style design. The first step is to stitch the Kloster blocks (the blocks of stitching around the edge of the design). Then is the daunting task of cutting the right threads to create the grid. I think the best thing to do is stay calm and double check what you are about to cut.
After the grid is created, its time to do the wrapped and woven bars. I think this has to be my favourite part. There's just something so calming about wrapping your thread to create the bars. Or maybe it's just the relief that you managed to cut all the right parts of the fabric! It's also where the design starts coming together and you can add in all those interesting little additions, like picots, woven spokes and dove's eyes.
I would definitely try Hardanger again, and although I haven't yet, I have tried reticello which has an awful lot of similarities. But more on that later...
But you may be wondering what was the next technique I had to try? It was appliqué. You can read about it by clicking here: Experimenting with Appliqué (claireharveyembroidery.com)
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