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What is hardanger embroidery?

Hardanger embroidery is a simple form of whitework named after the area of Norway where it is found. This form of needlework involves counted thread stitches, drawn thread work and some pulled thread embroidery.

hardanger-cushion (10K) Traditionally used for linens, caps, and especially aprons, the work was carried out on white fabrics as fine as 50 threads to the inch using white thread, but coarser fabrics and coloured threads are often used nowadays.


Is hardanger hard?

No, the stitches used are simple but counting accurately is important!


I'm scared of cutting the wrong thread! When I have taught hardanger embroidery at workshops this is everyone's first comment. It can be worrying taking the scissors to your work after you have put time and effort into the stitching, but by following the special red lines on my charts you will see clearly which threads to cut and which to leave well alone! If you do happen to make a mistake all is not lost there are ways of rectifying the problem.

My students tell me that the most helpful thing I told them in the beginning was to remember to breathe whilst cutting the threads.


Not tried it before? Learn hardanger with my free course on this site which covers the basic techniques.

If you have questions about hardanger embroidery, please use the form at the bottom of this page where you can ask anything you wish. Other visitors will be able to offer advice and answer your questions for you, and you might be able to help them in return. Don't be shy, the best way to learn anything new is to ask questions.


Threads to use in Hardanger embroidery

Two sizes of thread are used in Hardanger designs, the thicker one being used for the kloster blocks and surface stitching, while the finer thread is reserved for the needleweaving and filling stitches. Pearl cotton is ideal for this embroidery and the following table will help you choose the right size thread to use of your particular hardanger fabric.

Fabric Count Thick thread Thin thread
22 count hardanger or oslo Pearl no. 5 Pearl no. 8
28 count evenweave Pearl no. 5 or 8 Pearl no. 8 or 12
32 count evenweave Pearl no. 8 Pearl no. 12 (or crochet cotton)

A friend of mine offers perle 8 threads, with free worldwide shipping, from her site www.paraguaythreads.com in both single and variegated colours. It is worth watching out for her special mixed colour packs as they are a real bargain. She has kindly agreed to give you a discount of 10% if you use the code carolneedlework when you place your order.


Needles and equipment for Hardanger

Tapestry needles are used for stitching this form of embroidery. You will need two sizes, one for each thread. Try a size 20 for the Pearl no 5, size 22 for the Pearl no 8, and a size 24 for Pearl 12.

Very sharp, pointed embroidery scissors are necessary for cutting the threads cleanly, those with angled blades make life a little easier.

I find that the kloster blocks and surface stitching is easier to do if the fabric is secured in an embroidery hoop. I remove it before cutting the fabric threads, however. Like me, you may also find the needleweaving easier to do "in hand" rather than with the fabric in a hoop.

A small pointed pair of tweezers may also come in handy for easing out the fabric threads after they are cut. Oh and a little container, in which to pop the cut threads, can help to keep your working area neat and tidy.


Hardanger Patterns

As a hardanger design can be rather large some designers use a form of shorthand on their patterns, where each grid line represents two fabric threads, thereby reducing the graph size. However, I prefer to produce charts where each fabric thread is shown as one line on the graph, so that if the graph shows 4 threads then you count 4 threads of the fabric. It seems more straightforward and easy to follow in my opinion, but can lead to patterns being printed over a number of pages. If after stitching my learn hardanger free course you move on to another designer's patterns please keep this in mind.

My hardanger patterns are available in a downloadable form that you print from your own computer.

Do you have a question about Hardanger embroidery?

Whether you are a beginner to Hardanger embroidery or you have been stitching it for years, this is the place to ask for help or share your knowledge.

Give your question a title

What Other Visitors Have Asked

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

direction of reading a chart  starstarstarstarstar
I am new to Hardanger so I bought a book of the stitches and have been practicing them on spare linen. As I am familiar with counted work, that part was ...

Perle Cotton for hardanger  starstarstarstarstar
I have just taken up embroidery, and Hardanger in particular, but I am confused about all the threads available!

Is crochet cotton the same as cotton ...

pulling thread  starstarstarstarstar
Is hardanger the same as pulling thread =-----I'm a little confused

thank you, Jeanette

Carol answers...

Hardanger and pulled thread refer ...

how to follow hardanger embroidery patterns  starstarstarstarstar
I am not sure if you just go around the edges of a hardanger pattern and then come back and fill in the other bits, or what to do? Can anyone advise me?...

Where do you purchase the Hardanger cloth  starstarstarstarstar
We used to be able to get it several places in several colors. I have never seen it for sale for years.

cleaning hardanger embroidery  starstarstarstarstar
My aunt made some lovely hardanger pieces for me but over the years they have become soiled...how do i clean them without ruining them?

how to mount hardanger as a picture  starstarstarstarstar
I have a beautiful 31 by 31 inch hardanger tablecloth with scalloped edges, which I would like to mount as a picture on the wall.

What is the best ...

picots in hardanger embroidery  starstarstarstarstar
I need detailed instructions on how to do picots. Can anyone suggest anywhere that I could find them?

What type of fabric?  starstarstarstarstar
I want to make new cloths to cover the communion chalice on the altar. I would like to do hardanger embroidery but I need a fabric that will drape nicely....

Star filler Stitch   starstarstarstarstar
In the hardanger piece they have asked us to use the "star filler stitch" to fill the area. I can not find this stitch in the encyclopaedia of needlework....

squared edge stitching  starstarstarstarstar
I am finishing a piece of embroidery with squared edge stitching.

I have completed the first stage successfully, but am having trouble turning the corner ...

lacey wrap stitch  starstarstarstarstar
Please advise how to do this stitch.

Hardanger Tablecloth Pattern  starstarstarstarstar
I am wanting to make a table cloth (fairly big) for my brother and his wife for their 25th wedding anniversary as a gift. I would like to make it in white ...

Hardanger on aida cloth  starstarstarstarstar
I have only ever stitched on aida cloth. Can Hardanger be done on aida cloth? If so what count? I usually stitch on 14 ct. I can stitch on
18 ct. I ...

Repair a mistake on hardanger  starstarstarstarstar
I found a 45 inch square harndanger table cloth in my archives that I started some 10-15 years ago. Now want to finish it but see why I stowed it away....

Lacy buttonhole stitch  starstarstarstarstar
I'm doing my FIRST ever Hardanger embroidery project: a christening gown for my granddaughter-to-be. I know I should practice, etc. but here we are. I ...

Where can I find Hardanger fabric?  starstarstarstarstar
My niece is getting married in three months (May, 2008) and the tradition in my family is to make something for the bride.

I have done hardanger embroidery ...

How to Fix Hardanger Cutting Mistake  starstarstarstarstar
I've done hardanger before without any problems so when I started my piece I didn't review any tips or tricks. (OK, it was 15 years ago, but I look at ...

Using a new thread  Not rated yet
Just a few weeks ago I started to learn hardanger embroidery and I am delighted, however, there are some difficulties.

If you could tell me how to add ...

Square Filet  Not rated yet
I love all forms of handwork and for some time I have wanted to give hardanger a try but it looks so complicated,

I am learning using your lessons on ...

Cable stitch  Not rated yet
I am a beginner at the hardanger and am really struggling with the cable stitch

.It is very confusing to have the cable stitch go in the right direction,...

Preparing cloth for hardanger embroidery  Not rated yet
How do I prepare the cloth for Hardanger - I've washed it but do I stitch around the outside to keep from fraying and do I mark the outside dimensions ...

Corner-to-corner web  Not rated yet
How is the "corner-to-corner web" created?

bellpulls 7 cm brass with a bell   Not rated yet
I am looking for 2.5 inch or 7 cm brass bellpull ends, with or without a bell. A brass bar would be nice. My mom lives in arizona and the shop she used ...

History of Hardanger embroidery  Not rated yet
Does anyone know the history of Hardanger embroidery? I need it for a school-project. I would appreciate anything you know, or if you know where I can ...

thread size for hardanger  Not rated yet
i was wondering if I could use pearl cotton number 8 for the whole thing? The number 5 isn't available at the store right now. I will be stitching my ...

Ladder Hemstich  Not rated yet
I find the explanation for the stitch, do I pull the threads after or before making the stitch, and then are the remaining threads wrapped or woven?

Hardanger Needleweaving  Not rated yet
First, thanks so much for this website. As a long time knitter curious about other needlework, your website help launch me into hardanger.

I just worked ...

how to do square filet in Lesson 1  Not rated yet
Help, my square filets are not working!

I'm working my way through these lessons (thank you!) and am having trouble with the square filets in Lesson ...

Reverse side of Hardanger  Not rated yet
I am very new at this. I have a line of Kloster Blocks. How does my thread travel at the back of my work?

Carol answers...

If your kloster blocks ...

How to turn corners in Hardanger cable stitch.  Not rated yet
I just cannot figure out how to turn the corners when doing the cable stitch. I can only find the one picture on how to do it and for some reason I just ...

how to do the faggott stitch  Not rated yet
I am having a real hard time figuring out the faggott stitch. I don't know where on the fabric to begin . I try and the stitch takes off to the left. The ...

miscut hardanger  Not rated yet
I am working on a piece for a ring bearer's pillow.

I knew it was time for a break but I didn't take one. I should have! I mis-cut!

I think ...

hardanger buttonhole flower  Not rated yet
I an having trouble learning to do a hardanger buttonhole flower, looks something like a star. It is worked over several bars with eight petals extending ...

Greek Cross Border  Not rated yet
My pattern calls for a Greek Cross Border but it does not give much instruction on how to do it. Do you have any tips or instructions for how to go about ...

drawn work  Not rated yet
Mexican drawn work.

Mother pulled the threads from about 1/2" of fabric and then did a stitch along the edge of that. That separated the strands into ...

number of strands--hardanger  Not rated yet
How many strands of #5 do I use for hardanger on 22? What about #8? Is it 2 strands like cross-stitch or 1?

Margaret,

Perle threads are designed ...

Cutting the wrong thread!  Not rated yet
What do you do if you cut the wrong thread on hardanger material?

hardanger stitches  Not rated yet
Are these hardanger stitches the same but they have different names?

The first set is mini pinwheels and woven spiderweb.

The second is adjourning ...


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If you have enjoyed this hardanger lesson you can also try the free hardanger patterns below.

Stitch a hardanger bookmark

small-hardanger-bookmark (6K)

Learn hardanger embroidery whilst stitching a bookmark with a buttonholed edge.

Try it now


Beginner guide to hardanger

small-beginner-guide-to-hardanger (5K)

Learn doves eyes and wrapped bars in this free hardanger design.

Stitch it today


Hardanger Owl pattern

small-hardanger-owl (5K)

Not all hardanger is geometric, this cute owl shows it can be pictorial as well. Easy, step-by-step instructions included.

Click here to purchase


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