On Friday, I shared an idea I had for this year’s stitching and over the weekend I swatched a bit with less than stellar results.
So, I spun a bit more to see if I could improve the “thready-ness” of the yarn.
I stitched with more tightly plied yarn. I stitched with less tightly plied yarn. I stitched with singles. And, even though my results were not wonderful, I am sharing what I learned here.
- Dressmaker Linen is not suitable for yarn stitching. It is abrasive to the fibers and I had problems with breakage in the yarns. I also needed a needle that could pierce the fabric, but the needles I have on hand might not have had a big enough eye, which also caused more abrasion to the yarn.
- Plied wool yarn is very difficult to stitch with in linen fabric. I had issues with the plies wanted to be untwisted. I had issues with one of the plies breaking. I had issues with stitches laying how I wanted them to lay.
- Singles wool yarn is too fragile to withstand the stitching process in dressmaker linen with a needle.
- I did like some of the results I got with Pygora singles I tried, but it did not want to be stitched in satin stitch at all.
I admit that I am surprised by my results, but I am unbelievably happy that I am finding out these problems through swatching and not as I am beginning my new project. And, I am really happy that I have a bag filled with Pearle Cotton staring at me while I spend the next few days pondering how this changes my idea, if at all. But then, I texted with my friend Beth, and she gave me lots of advice but this made my head spin: “I would go to the internet and see if people use wool for the same stitches as cotton. By the end I would have tried 400 million fabrics and 200 million wools…”
Okay, so seriously? I don’t have that much testing drive in me! But, I did go to the internet and found some fun things on Pinterest, like this and this! Which led me to Judy’s Journal…I could be heading down the couching rabbit hole but, for today I am not going to think about this anymore. I have a bit of wrapping to finish up for things that need to be shipped out before Christmas and a quick trip to Costco.
Have a good Monday!
Thank you for sharing these details. I just love learning about the process! The things you’re finding out about what might abrade the thread make complete sense, but I don’t think I’d have thought of them ahead of time. The pieces on Judy’s Journal are insanely beautiful, aren’t they? Wow!
Oh goodness, such beauty and such inspiration in those links! My fingers are now itching to pick up needle and thread, but I fear starting another craft will take away time from my knitting and spinning.
You’re learning so much, more than if someone had told you anything ahead of time. Couching and darning stitches may be the best way to work with yarn. I’ve seen canvas embroidery stitched with yarn, but it’s still difficult to keep the yarn intact, plus it limits your possibilities. Perhaps a mixture of cotton and your handspun could be a solution. If I can help or answer any questions I’d be happy to!
It’s always good to learn new things. I’d listen to Margene on this one, she’s an expert.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be much of a stitcher, but if I ever start, I’ll be coming to you for your expertise! I think it’s great that you’re finding out what works and what doesn’t (success indeed, I don’t see any failure here, and just proof that you can find almost anything on the internet!
Proving once again . . . the incredible value of swatching! 🙂
Y’know. Art is all about the trial and the error. And the discovery. And the making it your own. You’re on the path to something great, Kat. Inspiration is (more than) half the battle.
Wow, that is some fabulous embroidery!
I tried some stitching when my hand was hurting in 2017. It was a small trial but I loved the results. For know I knit, but I LOVE seeing your stitching embroidery!
THe line at the post office was long today! I have one more package I must send out, maybe two. Hoping to get that done by Friday!
ok, this is ALL so very cool. I love that you swatched and shared your learnings, that you’re still energized and inspired about the project in spite of what some (me?!) might’ve viewed as setbacks … and the supportive (and from Margene, educational) comments. This is truly blogging at its best!
Grave you looked at Sue Spargo? She does a lot of stitching with wools and has two books with loads of stitching inspiration.
Your stitching is inspiring and even the swatch is beautiful. You are learning lots. I wrapped all afternoon and have boxes ready to mail. Tomorrow the post office and then back to knitting!
Oh YEAH!! Loving this process (and also couching!).
would stitching with a wool silk blend add strength? I admire all that swatching because I just jump in with both feet then find the problems as I go (and probably get discouraged along the way)
The learning from your experiments and practices can’t be beat – remember Edison. You might find the wool works better with wool and laid, couched or felted…as Margene suggests – and she is the expert, experimenting does help…
Know that we are all inspired! Keep playing and sharing…
Thanks and Cheers~