Free Hardanger Needlework Course — Lesson One

Your finished Lesson 1 piece — a diamond motif with Kloster blocks, needleweaving, and square filets

Welcome to lesson one of the Hardanger needlework course. We'll stitch together step by step, so you can learn this beautiful Norwegian needlework with confidence.

Traditionally, Hardanger is stitched in white thread on white fabric. But if you're starting out, try using coloured threads instead. It's much easier to see your stitches, and gives your work a pretty, modern twist.

What You'll Need

You can find the right supplies in the embroidery needles and hoops sections.

The Pattern for This Lesson

The chart for your first Hardanger project. Each grid line represents one fabric thread.

My Hardanger charts use a grid where each line represents one fabric thread. Some designers use a scale where one line equals two threads, so always check before starting a new pattern.

📥 Download Lesson 1 Charts (PDF)

How to Stitch Kloster Blocks

Start by finding the centre of your fabric. Fold it in half both ways and gently crease it.

Thread your needle with the thicker No. 5 thread. Yes, you'll use a knot this time! Use an away waste knot — pop your needle in from the front corner of your fabric and leave the knot on top. You'll snip it off later.

Count 18 threads up from the centre. Bring your needle up at position 1 on the chart.

Follow the numbered stitch order for even thread distribution

Work your first Kloster block. Each satin stitch covers 4 fabric threads.

Once the first block is done, continue to block two at a right angle. Reuse hole 10 for stitch 11–12, and hole 20 for the next corner. This prevents messy diagonal threads across open spaces.

Continue stitching around until the diamond is complete. Now go back and snip off that waste knot. Check that your stitches secured the thread underneath.

Your completed Kloster block diamond — looking good!

Cutting the Threads

Take a deep breath. This is where it gets exciting!

You'll need very sharp, pointed embroidery scissors. Avoid using large dressmaker shears or dull scissors — they won't give you the control you need.

Sharp, pointed scissors are essential. Angled blades make cutting even easier.

Look at the cutting chart below. The red lines show exactly where to cut — always along the edge where stitches go down into the fabric. Never cut parallel to the stitches.

Count carefully. Count again. Then snip all four threads at once.

The cutting chart — red lines show where to cut. A full-size printable version is in the PDF download above.

After cutting and removing threads

Use tweezers or your fingers to gently remove the cut threads. You'll be left with a grid of empty spaces. If you see tiny tufts of fabric, don't worry — these will shrink back under the Kloster blocks when you wash the piece.

Needleweaving

Time to switch to the finer pearl cotton No. 8. You'll use this for all the needleweaving and the decorative square filets.

Start by anchoring your thread under a Kloster block — no need for a knot here.

Each open space has 4 threads in place. Weave over two, under two, and repeat until the bar is full. Don't overcrowd the stitches — try to use the same number of stitches on each bar for a consistent look.

Many Hardanger patterns use needleweaving, but some use wrapped bars instead — we'll cover those in Lesson 2.

Work the bars in a diagonal direction, starting with those marked by green arrows on the chart (from top left). Then turn the work and stitch a second diagonal row in the opposite direction. Continue until you've worked all the remaining bars.

Square Filet

This is the final step in this project! The square filet is a small, lacy stitch that adds lovely detail to the open spaces.

You'll stitch four buttonhole stitches — one into each corner of the square. On the fourth stitch, wrap it over the thread that's already there to keep everything even. If buttonhole stitch is new to you, a quick look at the blanket stitch page will get you up to speed — it's the same basic movement.

The square filet — four buttonhole stitches, one into each corner

Anchor your thread between square filets by running it under nearby Kloster blocks.

You Did It!

Take a look at your finished piece. In this lesson you stitched:

That's a huge first win — and just the beginning!

Ready for more Hardanger?