karen4bells first hardanger attempts--first cutwork added

[karen4bells]

After drooling over some of Mabel's projects, I finally decided to give this a try--not the best but better than I expected it would be. The red is using # 8 perle and the blue is #5 stitched on 25 count even weave--I definitely like the coverage of the #5 but I think I can use the #8 too--anyway, here's my first attempt

[Rose]

very pretty!!!!!

[Jamielea]

Very nice!

[pamelam]

It's so nice and neat! I wouldn't have thought these were new for you!

[shjordon]

It's pretty! I wouldn't have thought it was your first attempt.

[corby_stitcher]

That looks nice Karen. Cant wait to see it finished.
Keep up the great work.

[karen4bells]

Thanks--having fun trying different ideas--this is just all testing, will try doing up something soon, maybe borrow some ideas from Mabel's needle case

[Squirrel]

Wonderfully neat and colourful. well done Karen
Sally

[K1nS]

Looking good, well done

[Nachstenliebe]

Amazing work! Your stitches look like a pro did them
Faith

[maggs]

Very pretty

[Serinde]

A good start. You might find that pearl 5 is bulky for this count, but 8 doesn't quite do it. This is where you have to invest in Caron Watercolours and Wildflowers...!

[Corey.G]

Such neat stitches. Very nice. What is the difference between a #5 or #8 versus dmc floss? Any idea? I only have dmc and have no access to a craft store. My first hardanger attempt is in my gallery.

[Mabel Figworthy]

A good start. You might find that pearl 5 is bulky for this count, but 8 doesn't quite do it. This is where you have to invest in Caron Watercolours and Wildflowers...!

My thoughts exactly! Actually I like #5 on 25ct, but then I like nice full coverage; I've even used #5 on 28ct. Nevertheless, it is ALWAYS a good idea to invest in Caron threads !

[meerkat]

Very pretty Karen and as others have commented... very neat.

[Fljotsdale]

Oh, well done! Hardanger terrifies me! All that cutting...

Are you stitching a design, or are you doing isolated motifs for practice?

[Mabel Figworthy]

Hardanger terrifies me! All that cutting...

There are lovely motifs out there which don't involve any cutting -- great to get started with! The Caron site has a few, courtesy of Mary Hickmott and stitched in their lovely Watercolour threads.

*scurries off to find link*

Found them!

One with no cutting at all here

And one with only a little cutting here

They come from MH's Easing Into Hardanger

[karen4bells]

Thanks so much for the links Mabel--am going to have a proper look at them!!
May have to consider the Caron threads soon--just want to make sure I get more practice first--hate to waste the more expensive threads

[Mabel Figworthy]

I could send you a few threads of each to try, perhaps enough for one of those MH motifs? Send me a PM if you'd like to try them.

[karen4bells]

I could send you a few threads of each to try, perhaps enough for one of those MH motifs? Send me a PM if you'd like to try them.

What a very nice offer Mabel--may just be sending you a pm soon--want to practice a bit more first--and oh yea, I know you had looked for good, yet affordable, scissors for the hardanger cutting, but can't remember where you ended up getting them--do you have that info?? Thank you so much!!