…I’ve thought about us for a long, long time” (sing along with Todd Rundgren)
Yup. I’ve thought about us for a long, long time. Through two computers, in fact. I have killed two computers in one year! And frankly dealing with anything computer-ish has been sickening for me!
Actually, I have been loving being computer-free! I’ve had a lot more time for stitching and reading. I’ve participated in a few stitch-alongs (SALs). A couple have been blackwork!
One of three blackwork finishes in the past year.
This is the beginning of a SEBA SAL around Xmas 2013
Currently…
I’m working on three SALs and in the last two weeks of a design class with Sharon Boggon. The first project in the class was a monotone piece. I used a kaleidoscope image of one of the patterns in the chess board that I made for Jeff. Here’s the finished class piece:
Some old blackwork fill patterns mixed with some modern threads, a few canvas stitches, some embroidery stitches, and some beading!
Would you like to join me in the two blackwork SALs I’m doing?
Both are year-long projects. One is a quick to stitch canvas take on Sashiko, very much like blackwork. You could be caught up in less than a week. The pattern is updated on the first of every month and is FREE. You can find it (and a lot of other cool patterns) at Blue Dogwood Designs. I am using my own colorway.
My own rainbow colorway.
The other SAL is more time-consuming but a true joy for the blackwork freak (a non-derogatory 1970s term for someone loves something almost to the exclusion of all else!) You will learn oodles and oodles about “journeys.” You don’t have to do this as a reversible piece; in fact, I don’t think you can. But you can practice tracking journeys so your backs will be very neat so when you want to do a reversible piece, you will feel more than ready.
In fact, for the first blocks I will be posting pics and notes about how I tackled each block so you have as few dark threads crossing as possible on the back side. So if you’re anxious about how to tackle the more complex pattern, we can talk about it here. We can help one another!
The best news is that the piece is designed by Elizabeth Almond, one of my blackwork heroines! The design is called “Saving the Stitches.” Here’s a bit of my work. I’ve gotten quite a bit further on, but don’t have it photographed yet. But, I think this will entice you to try your hand at this free pattern, too.
This the first 3 blocks. Not all metallics have been added yet.
Shows work a bit more clearly. I am loving stitching this. You will, too!
Are you convinced yet? Get the pattern at Elizabeth Almond’s website with new installments on the first of the month every month for a year or so! When you are ready to share your progress send me a note so I can link to your blog or website!
Blackwork Lessons 