This month's challenge on Needlequest is blackwork, so I knew exactly what project I was going to tackle. I have done some blackwork before, if you're so inclined,you can see my attempts here, here, here and here. For this month I wanted to pick up Elizabeth Almond of Blackwork Journey's Save The Stitches.
You may remember I started this and discovered I was stitching over 1, rather than over 2, you can see my previous attempt if you fancy a laugh!.
Anyway, I was hmmming and haaaing over unpicking all those little fussy stitches, I didn't have enough fabric to start again and it was bloody expensive. So I did what any sane stitcher would do, I turned the fabric upside down and started from the other end. If necessary, I'll unpick the first attempt later, but I'm hoping not. I know this is just putting it off, but if I have to unpick before I start to stitch again, I fear it'll never happen.
The pattern in done in blocks. This is block 1. I think Elizabeth has released about 11 so far, so a long way to go. I started by putting in all the cross stitches. I'm using the recommended thread, so cross stitches were in Perle 12, and the back stitch is done in one stand of stranded cotton.
I haven't got very far, but I love stitching this. I have to put it aside to bind a quilt, but I'll be back to it. If you like a bit of needlework, even if you've only done a bit of cross stitch, I really recommend giving blackwork a go.
Related posts
Needlequest January - Needlepainting
Needlequest February - Japan (Sashiko)
Needlequest March - Goldwork, starting the decoration
Needlequest April - Spring applique
You may remember that I've done a bit of blackwork embroidery. It's a technique I really love. It's done on evenweave linen (or Aida if you prefer) and consists of straight stitches in a variety of combinations to make filling designs. It doesn't have to be black either.
I came across a wonderful blackwork blog, Blackwork Journey. Elizabeth Almond is writer of the blog and a pattern designer. She has designed a huge blackwork project where sections are released one at a time.
I've had in mind to do a larger sampler-style piece of blackwork for a while, so I bought the recommended materials and got to work. Above is one of the blocks. Each of the squares has a different filling design and metallic threads and beads will come into it later.
Stitching this is a little fiddly as it's 28 count linen, that means 28 threads per inch. It's small. Very small.
See what I mean? And that could be a problem... it was pointed out to me that it should be stitched over 2, whereas I've been stitching over 1. I'm just awaiting confirmation from Elizabeth but I might have to rip out this 4-5 hours work....
Update: Yep, I did it wrong. Cue lots of cursing...
