Friday Homework for Lesson 363: Torocko Stitch

 This was faster and easier than I expected!

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Red Kimono Silk Scribble Cloth

WIPW - White and Metallic Hexagons

White,  Metallic and odd pieces of fabric that have been turned into Hexagons, that's what this week's Work In Progress Wednesday report is all about.

Hexablooms

I have mainly made parts, e.g. the white hexagons that fill in gaps in the pattern and the metallic hexagons used for the middle of the flowers.

Gift

The other hexagons, those I am using for the luncheon mats that will be given to some friends, have been assembled into two flowers.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 363: Torocko Stitch

Today, we have a canvas stitch of the trellis type that I picked up from Shannon Downey at Badasscrossticher. The stitch is called Torocko Stitch and consists of a grid and a number of upright crosses that are couched down in the middle.

You can also check out Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials. Or KimberlyOuimet. Or have a look at Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, if you have the book.

Here is my photo tutorial:

You need to measure out a grid of squares of odd numbers. On Aida or other types of fabric, it is easy to count the holes, and aim for squares of an uneven number of holes. I used 7 holes.

First, make the long, straight horizontal stitches.

Then add the vertical stitches.

Place upright crosses over the grid, like this.

Finally, couch down the middle of the crosses.

Until you have completed the grid.

Homework: Add to the samplers

Friday Homework for Lesson 362 Roza's Ladder Stitch

Roza's Ladder Stitch was fun to work with. Be aware, though, that you need to pay attention to how much you pull the thread to control the tension. Or each 'twiggly person' (the twisted part of the stitch) won't stand straight up.

Aida Sampler

The perfect grid is a great help to make the stitches behave and sit evenly.

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

This was done without waste canvas, and I had to eyeball the stitches.

Red Kimono Silk Scribble Cloth

For some reason, it was hard to stitch on the red silk. I wonder why the silk suddenly felt so hard and stiff...

As you can see, the stitches are not particularly straight or even.