Both stitches for Take a Stitch Tuesday Week 26 Basic TAST will give you the ability to create wider lines in any of your designs. Lock Stitch has two versions, both are easy to learn. Both single and double versions of Lock stitch are quick and easy once you get in the rhythm. I’ve written a tutorial on both versions as both are worth exploring because they are versatile.
Lock stitch basically consists of a row of vertical straight stitches that are laced. So, varying the foundation row spacing or height can create all sorts of patterns. Also, you can easily lace with interesting novelty yarns. If you do this, my tip is to use a tapestry needle to avoid splitting the foundation stitches.
If you bead Lock stitch it really comes alive! In fact, I think that when beaded, it is a wonderful stitch. Anyway, that is the challenge this week here is the tutorial for Lock stitch and Double Lock stitch and here is the tutorial for Beaded lock stitch
Take a Stitch Tuesday Week 26 Beyond TAST
There are many varieties, versions, spin-offs, and riffs on common Chain stitch. In fact, well over 100, but for this week, I am going to point people in the direction of Linked Chain stitch. Like many of the varieties of chain stitch, Linked chain will follow a curve well, so it makes an interesting linear stitch.
The beaded version is fun too! In fact, I think I like the beaded version best of all the beaded chain stitches. There are instructions for this version further down the tutorial. Try it, have fun, and see how you go.
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.
There is lots of variety this week so enjoy Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST) Week 26!
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.
