Little boxes in a hardanger pattern - what is the stitch called?

I am working on a pattern that confuses me. The pattern looks like it is showing box stitches, but in the picture it looks like there are openings. It looks like it has been cut or pulled like in an eyelet stitch. I have not done box stitches before. Should they be open?


Carol responds...

It sounds to me like you may be referring to four sided stitch. These are worked with a medium tension to form "holes" in each corner. There is no cutting involved.

I have given instructions for this on the site, both for working in horizontal/vertical rows and also for rows that are worked on the diagonal. You will find those instructions on the following pages...

Horizontal four sided stitch

Diagonal 4 sided stitch

Horizontal rows of four sided stitch will show a cross on the back of the work, and an empty "box" on the front. I will share an embarrassing moment with you here about this difference. One of my designs...

Wish Upon a Star

...was framed by a new framer just before a major show. I got it back the day before I set up, and was relieved that I would be able to display it on the wall of my booth. The show lasted three days, and it wasn't until the last day, when I was showing it to someone and pointing out the different stitches used, that I noticed the crosses were showing where it should have the boxes.

My framer has framed it back to front! On closer inspection it was obvious, but the work was neat enough for it to have escaped notice for the previous two days of the show!

If four sided stitch isn't the stitch you were asking about, please do let me know and I will see if I can offer other suggestions.

Regards,

Carol

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Just learning
by: Marcy

First encountered this in Monica Ferris book "A Drowning Spool" the technique sounded interesting. I'm working pattern from your 1st lesson.

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