TAST Week 15 is here. I hope you all enjoyed the break or used the time to catch up a little.
The TAST Week 15 stitch is to learn and experiment with Cretan Stitch. Cretan stitch is another of those key stitches people learn when they are new to hand embroidery. As I have said before, the first 15- 20 weeks or so of TAST is effectively an embroidery course suitable for beginners, so if you are attempting this stitch for the first time, I hope you enjoy it and discover its versatility. Click through to the instructions for more eye candy, and to give you ideas on how to use the stitch. The sample above is Cretan stitch worked in layers using different threads.
Take a Stitch Tuesday Week 15 Beyond TAST
Beyond TAST this week is a favourite quirky variety of Cretan stitch. Looped Cretan Stitch is unusual and a doozie of a stitch if you add a bead! I like stitches that look a bit different. Not only does it make for an interesting border, but if you work it row upon row, it also makes a really interesting pattern fill.
Crazy quilters will love this stitch as it makes a great seam embellishment. But it is also a wonderful border stitch too. I am really interested to see how you use this stitch.
If you are new to hand embroidery the challenge is to learn the stitch and share what you have learned. If you are an experienced embroiderer, enjoy Beyond TAST and give your work a modern twist. And of course, share it online so beginners can see what can be done with a little imagination.
If you are looking for past TAST stitch challenges the archives are in the Take a Stitch Tuesday category
Where to Share
If you are doing the design challenge you have a month to work on your design and stitch it up.
So the idea is to stitch a sample, photograph it, share it in the Take a Stitch Tuesday facebook group, or use the hashtags #TASTembroidery and #PintangleTAST on Instagram.
If you need more information the challenge guidelines are on the TAST FAQ page.
Thread Twisties!
Experimenting with different threads can be expensive. You would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. My thread twisties are a combination of different threads to use in creative hand embroidery. These enable you to try out stitching with something other than stranded cotton. For the price of just a few skeins, you can experiment with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.
These are creative embroiders threads. With them, I hope to encourage you to experiment. Each Twistie is a thread bundle containing silk, cotton, rayon and wool. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as 1 strand of embroidery floss) to chunky couchable textured yarns. All threads have a soft and manageable drape. Twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery an interesting journey rather than a battle. Many are hand dyed by me. All are threads I use. You may find a similar thread twist but no two are identical.
You will find my thread twisties in the Pintangle shop here.
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