A lesson in pulled work

To introduce you to the craft of pulled work I have designed this little project. We will only use two different stitches, basically satin stitch and a type of cross stitch. You could finish this piece as a pincushion or scissor keep, perhaps.

You will need

White evenweave fabric (28 threads to the inch), white Pearl 8 cotton, a size 26 tapestry needle and a wooden hoop.

How to prepare the hoop and fabric

Find the centre of your fabric by folding it in half both ways and lightly creasing the fold at the centre. Lay the inner ring of your wooden hoop on a flat surface. Thread your needle and lay the end of the thread across the hoop then place the fabric over the top. Lastly place the outer ring of the hoop on top and push it down to secure both fabric and thread. This anchors the thread so it won't pull through the fabric when you start stitching and pulling!

We will start by printing the chart.

Click here for the chart

You will need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to open and read this chart. You can get Adobe Reader here (a new window will open so you can download without leaving this page).

If you want to open the file in your browser window, you can just click on the link. However, if you want to download the file to view later, then right click on the link and choose "Save Target As" or "Save File As." Then select where you want to save the file on your hard drive.

Once you have saved the file, locate where you saved it, and double click to open.

In order to print, open the downloaded file, and select the "Print" option from the menu.

About the pulled work diagrams

I have drawn diagrams and taken close up pictures of both stitches we will use to help you. Most pulled work diagrams do not give much of an indication of how the finished result will look as it is difficult to show the fabric threads in both the pulled and unpulled positions.

Pulled satin stitch

We will start in the centre with the pulled satin stitch. This is just one variation on a stitch that can be used in a multitude of ways in pulled work.

The trick is to pull firmly and keep the tension on the pulled thread with your finger at the back of the work while you place the next stitch. Try not to yank the thread as it may break! Keep the same tension throughout the work to keep the pattern looking the same.

pulled satin stitch diagram

The first row

We will work in diagonal rows starting at the big blue dot on the chart. Each stitch is worked over three fabric threads. Work the first three stitches as shown in the diagram. When you bring the thread up through the fabric for stitch 7-8 be careful to count one thread across and six up. You want to end the stitch in the same "channel" that you have created with the first block of three stitches. At my workshops some students end the stitch in the row above which throws everything out. The faint dotted line shows where the thread is carried on the back of the work.

Row 2

When the first two blocks are in place we will travel in the opposite direction for the second diagonal row. Count out to the side from stitch 11-12 to bring the needle up for this next row. (The blue line on the chart shows the position of the thread on the back of the work.) Work the blocks of three stitches in the same manner, starting at the bottom of the stitch and re-entering the fabric at the top of each stitch, as shown by the arrow beside the first block. To start the second block in this row, drop 6 fabric threads and 1 across. Continue with the blocks coloured burgundy on the chart.

pulled satin stitch sample

And the third row

The third row is coloured pink on the chart. Before we start this row we need to take a travelling stitch out to the side of our stitched area in order to keep the pull on the thread when moving to the next row. This stitch is shown in blue on the chart and is just a little backstitch. It also serves to keep the thread from laying behind the decorative holes in the pattern and therefore showing in the finished piece. Work the third row in a similar manner to before checking the direction of the arrow to make sure the stitches are worked from top to bottom.

Completing the pulled satin stitch area

Complete the rest of the centre square in the same way, using travelling stitches where necessary. Fasten off your threads by taking them underneath the satin stitches on the back of the work.

diagonal raised band diagram

Diagonal raised band

For this stitch we will be working over 6 fabric threads. It is best to start at the bottom centre, although it is easier to count if you start nearest to one of the corners of the centre square. The problem with the latter starting place is the difficulty in getting the pull correct at both the beginning and end of the pattern. When I tried starting here I ended up with a flat section that didn't raise as it should.

Follow the numbers on the diagram to work the vertical stitches first. Begin stitch 3-4 by dropping 3 and moving across 3 fabric threads. Pull tightly so that the stitches form a raised band. This won't be that obvious on the first trip but will give a good effect when you come back down the row to complete the horizontal stitches afterwards. This second journey is easy as the holes in which to put the needle are already in place.

Work the other three diagonal raised band areas to surround the centre square in the same way. You may find it easier to turn the fabric round so that you can follow the numbering on the diagram in the same way for each side.

diagonal raised band sample I hope you have enjoyed your first try at pulled work. Why not mount a piece of coloured silk or satin underneath your project when finishing it to show up the lacy pattern?

Now you may like to practise other pulled stitches such as Cobbler stitch or four sided stitch. Check the stitch index for even more basic embroidery stitches.