by Shelley
(Oshkosh, Wi)
For the satin stitches, do I count over 4 or do I count 8 threads?
Carol answers
Hi Shelley,
Thank you for your question.
Hardanger kloster blocks are worked in satin stitch over 4 fabric threads.
Unlike counted cross stitch designs, where if you use a finer fabric you work over two threads instead of a single Aida block, you do not double the number of fabric threads when working a piece of hardanger embroidery on such a material.
The finer fabric gives you a more delicate looking finished project. It is also normally worked with finer threads than you would use on Oslo (22 count). I would recommend Perle 8 (thicker) and 12 (thinner) when working over a 32 count fabric.
I used 32 count linen for the pink version of Wish Upon a Star and the white Daisy Chains designs shown on this page.
Something that can also cause confusion, is following a hardanger chart.
As some of the designs are rather large, for instance a table cloth, some designers will chart the stitches so they appear to only go across 2 fabric threads. In actuality they are still worked over 4, it is just that the charts are not quite so large and unwieldy if they are drawn using this principle.
All my own designs show the stitches over the correct number of fabric threads, which I believe makes the stitching easier to work. Because this means that designs may need to be printed on multiple pages, I often utilize a row of shading on the edge of my patterns, which Indicates an overlap of the stitches which appear on two sheets. They should only be stitched once, of course, but it does help you to line up the separate sheets.
I hope this helps Shelly, have fun with your hardanger.
Regards,
Carol