Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 243: Basket Stitch

 When you see this, what do you think?

Ah, that's a set of wonky Herringbone Stitch!

Yes, taking today's stitch for a Herringbone Stitch that has gone slightly off-centre is easy. As you have probably guessed, this is NOT a Herringbone Stitch. 

It is the Basket Stitch.

It is worked quite differently, and the back of the fabric proves that it uses up much more thread, too.

Apart from my photo tutorial below, you can watch a video at Needle 'n Thread, or Needlepointers.

Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials has a set of photos. The stitch is also listed in these books: A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2 and Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

You stitch the Basket Stitch in a column, from top to bottom.

In the first example, I have cramped the stitches tightly.

Using Aida cloth it is easy to see where

the needle goes in and out.

Go down to the third row.

Continue like this, down a row 

and up a row.

When you reach the end of your 

column, anchor the stitch as shown.

Here you have a tightly stitched Blanket Stitch.

Good for filling.

As I mentioned above, there is a lot of thread

on the back.

Now for a column of less cramped stitches, you 

need to skip one row.

Flip the column sideways and you have the 'Wonky Herringbone' look.

A good stitch for using up your thread stash?

Homework:

Try out the stitch freehand on the Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart and the Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth. See if it is good for curved lines...

Follow the holes on Aida.

I hope you will have fun!

Friday Homework for Lesson 242: Double Wheatear Stitch

 FUN, EASY, NICE. This is a great stitch!

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

WIPW - Birthday Card

 My needles and thread have basically still been in this mood:

The Work In Progress Wednesday report has, therefore, nothing to show of the Mandala or the Sunday Stitch School Stitch Sampler projects. 

However, I have made a birthday card:

Sunday Stitch School: 242 - Double Wheatear Stitch

When you hear the name of this week's stitch, Double Wheatear Stitch, you already know what's in store, don't you?

Yes, it is a version of the basic Wheatear Stitch, where you make TWO pairs of ears for each kernel. 

Learn it at Pintangle where Sharon will treat you to an easy-to-follow tutorial.

Here are my photo instructions:

Make a V.

Make another V.

Take the needle behind the stitches

without going through the fabric.

Here is your first stitch:

a kernel with TWO pairs

of ears.

Make another set.

End with a kernel.

You can also add a single ear at

the top.

How about ending the line with the

ears? Not, authentic, maybe,

but why not?

What do you think?

Homework:

Let the wheat grow strong on these samplers.

I hope we won't need a scarecrow to keep the Bow Tie 'birds' away from the crops!

Friday Homework for Lesson 241: Bow Tie Stitch

 I like the Rhodes style of stitches and Bow Tie Stitch is no exception.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

WIPW - No Time

I'm afraid there is no Work In Progress Wednesday report this week. I met with an overload of work, so I've only had time for the Sunday Stitch School Homework, which I will report on Friday.

Other projects are snoozing as fast as the needle 'n thread.

No need to comment.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 241: Bow Tie Stitch

#241 is called Bow Tie Stitch and it is a Canvas stitch of the Rhodes Stitch family. I got it from Shannon's collection. Check it out at her website, Badass Cross Stitch.

In my version, I have changed the order to save on thread.

Work it like this:

Use a fabric where the holes are easy to see 

and count, Aida would be perfect.

Here is the stitch plan.

Come out at 1 and go in at 2.

Out at 3, in at 4.

Then follow the numbers.

Out at 17 in at 18.

Out at 19, in at 20.

Continue till you reach 24.

Completed!

See how little thread was 

used on the back!

Homework:

Add here. Use waste canvas on the Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth and the Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart.