Dalarna Stitch

I learned a new nalbinding stitch yesterday. I really like it:

Dalarna Stitch

It is quick to make - as quick as Oslo stitch, but it is denser than Oslo stitch, so I think it will be very warm. And I love how it looks almost woven. I will definitely make a hat with this stitch, and perhaps a pair of matching mittens.

The stitch is easy: start like Oslo, with one loop on the back of your thumb, and one loop on your thumb. Take the loop from the back of your thumb, then pick up the thumb loop. Turn and go under the working thread. Use the F2 connection. The twist gives it little loops on the inside, like Russian stitch has.

That's it - I'm off to stitch!

Playing with color

As anyone who reads this blog is sure to know, I usually have more than one project going at a time. So, while I was working on the laurel cloak, I was also having fun playing with nalbinding. It is the creative part of SCA that I enjoy most. Exploring medieval ideas and seeing what can be done within that context. With that in mind, I've been looking at extant medieval nalbinding and designing my own pieces, playing with the structure of stitches (how does the result differ if a different stitch is used, for example). Here are the things I've been making:

Stripes:

Two-color mitts, and the start of three-color socks.

Spots and rings:

First I played with what happens depending on the number of stitches used for the second color, and then I played with the stitches. The sample on the left is Mammen stitch; the one on the right is Finnish stitch.

Then I made some mittens. The brown mitten is Finnish stitch. The green mitten is Mammen stitch.

Then, if one can make horizontal stripes, it is also possible to make vertical stripes:

I have never seen any artifacts with vertical stripes, but they are no more difficult to make than spots, so why not? The mitten is Russian stitch; the hat is Oslo stitch.

And finally, using the Coptic stitch, I played with colorwork:

The red water bottle cover has my badge - a wool comb. The little bag is to hold my phone.

My secret embroidery project

 I've been quiet for the past month or so, because I was very busy making a laurel cloak for my friend, (now Mistress) Vibeke.

All of her friends embroidered a set of leaves and mailed them to me. It felt like Christmas every time I opened an envelope. Every leaf is a treasure. I spun the gold thread for the couching and stems and assembled it all together. These are my leaves:

They are based on the designs of Neolithic and Iron Age spindle whorls.

Vibeke was very surprised.