Couching is a simple, but wonderfully versatile, stitch and technique. With this stitch, you can use many novelty yarns that cannot fit through the eye of a needle. Follow the link for instructions and eye candy.
Couching is a quick way to add a textured line to your design. You can use it to couch metallic threads, novelty fibres, and thicker threads to an embroidered piece. And in the process, you can build up rich, complex, decorative surfaces. You can use it in a freeform manner as I have done above. Or you can build up more regular grid-like patterns, as with laid work.
In the sample above, I couched a blue chenille yarn and novelty knitting yarn to a foundation fabric that is hand-painted. I then covered it with textured embroidery and beads.
The sample below is a pattern built up by couching a grid of thicker navy blue thread to a background of hand-painted fabric, before adding a pattern of cross stitches, detached chain stitches, and bugle beads.
Take a Stitch Tuesday 2023 Week 12 Beyond TAST
The Beyond TAST challenge for week 5 is Ghiordes Knot. This stitch is also known as Turkey Knot. It is heaps of fun as it creates a fuzzy furry texture. Anywhere you need a bit of fluffy texture, this stitch works. Common ways to use this stitch are for things like the middle of flowers, thistle tops, dandelion puffs, grass, moss, and animal fur, but I like using it in abstract pieces as it is such a contrast in texture. If you want to see the piece this sample in the photograph above is from, you can see it here.
I hope you enjoy Take a Stitch Tuesday 2023 Week 12!
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 challengers 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 a 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.
I love to look at medieval embroidery. Especially the Bayeaux Tapestry. There’s quite a bit of couching in it.
Hi Susan yes the Bayeaux Tapestry is nearly all couching!