Friday Revision Homework - Stitches 191 - 195

The final Sunbonnet Sue for 2021. She appears one week too late, but shows how she spent her recent holiday.

Some of the Double Drizzle stitches have been anchored to form the twigs of pine of the candle stick. Other stitches used are Stem Stitch and Lazy Daisy Stitch. The dress and boots were coloured in with wax crayons.

Sunday Stitch School - Revision: Stitches 191 - 195

You know what happens after we have learned five new stitches? Yes, it is time to review them and make a Sunbonnet Sue sampler.

191 Plaid Filling Stitch

This overstitched grid makes a nice check, even something like tartan if you plan the colours and placements carefully.

192 Astypalea Stitch

This stitch is named after a Greek island. It is made up of laced small V:s.

193 Double Drizzle Stitch

A bunch of these will 'grow like mushrooms' out of your foundation fabric.

194 Magic Blanket Stitch

A fascinating stitch that makes you wonder and ponder 'How on Earth is this made?'.

It's just an easy trick behind the magic.

195 Misako Mimoko Lacing Stitch

If you are looking for a nice border stitch, here is one that can be impressive, colourful and structured. You need small foundation stitches and then lace them evenly. Excellent to use a metallic, fluffy or tricky thread for the lacing.

Homework:

Make a Sunbonnet Sue seasonal portrait. Take your time, I know it will not be completed by next Friday, but try to have it done by Christmas Eve.

Friday Homework for Lesson 193: Double Drizzle Stitch

Double Drizzle Stitch is time consuming, but fun. 

If you use a needle threader, or stiffen the thread ends with glue or nail polish, rethreading the needle for each stitch is a breeze.

Aida Sampler

Aren't they cute?

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

I think they look best when done in two different thread colours.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 193: Double Drizzle Stitch

Welcome!

I learned to make the (single) Drizzle Stitch by Sharon Boggon when I took part in TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) in September 2012. Take a look if you want to go down Memory Lane and see the Drizzle Stitch used for hair on one of my stumpwork portraits.

I think I have come a long way since then, so now it is time to learn the Double Drizzle Stitch. Again I will learn it from Sharon. She has good instructions in her excellent book: 

What you need are: two threads with a good twist, like Perle Cotton.

A milliner or sharp needle with an even width.

I also recommend a pincushion with a firm filling, like this Chinese one. Inside is polystyrene (you know the blocks of white packing material). Or use an eraser. Something the needle can stand firmly upright in.

So let's get started:

Begin by threading the needle with two strands of thread. Make a knot and come out to the front.

Remove the thread from the needle. Stab the pincushion so the needle stands straight up near where the threads came out.

Start with the thread on the right. Place it on the pad of your right index finger. Hold the thread with the other hand.

Now flip your finger away from you so your nail is pointing upwards.

You now have a nice loop.

Slip the loop over the needle.

Tighten the loop around the needle.

Repeat the procedure with the thread on the left. Use your left index finger, 

flip away from you,

slip the loop over the needle

tighten the thread.

Alternate the two threads in the same way until you reach the height you want.

Re-thread the needle with both threads.

Tip:

Use either a needle threader or stiffen the thread ends with a tiny bit of glue that you press into the fibres.

Try to get the ends as sharp and pointed as possible.

Pull the needle and thread through to the back,

and there you have this charming Double Drizzle Stitch.

Anchor the stitch, or

make more!

Have fun!

Homework:

Let's cultivate some Double Drizzle Stitches on these samplers.