Still joggling with Week 1

I knew that this would be the problem - I don't know when to stop!

Here is my latest effort. I've gone a little over the top with the embellishment! This is mostly herringbone stitch.


(Click on photo for bigger image)

The first two rows are laced running stitch. The first row, stitches in perle cotton and lacing in tapestry wool, with added sequins and beads. The second row: the threads reversed to see the different effect, embellished with cross stitch in perle cotton.

The third row is a herringbone variation, but I got so carried away with the embellishment that the herringbone stitches are difficult to pick out. It is two lines of herringbone in tapestry wool, then two smaller lines worked across in perle cotton. I tied the stitches of the top line with a contrasting colour to see the effect. Then I got excited and filled in all the gaps with beads, bullions and French knots.

The fourth row is a line of laced double herringbone. The first line was worked in perle cotton and laced in fancy yarn. Then the second line was worked on top and laced, all in perle cotton. Then, inevitably, I added some beads.

The fifth row is a line of herringbone worked through a line of evenly spaced vertical straight stitches. I thought it looked a bit plain so I added some french knots. The straight stitch foundation is in soft cotton, the herringbone lacing and the knots are tapestry wool.

At the bottom is a double row of stem stitch with beads.

I prefer this to the previous sampler. I like the vibrant colour scheme and I do like to fill 'em up, hence the lines of stem stitch between the rows! I really like the effect of the raised stitches they add a thicker, richer texture.