Mabel's designs

[Mabel Figworthy]

Well I think I've got it sorted - no pics yet as I'm still working on it and also writing a FoF about it but only a little more work and I can start the cutting!

[Lulu22]

Oh my word I LOVE your snowman he is amazing you do such beautiful work Mabel

[kbaywolf]

Snowman is fab. You are clearly a skilled needleworker!

[rcperryls]

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Well, I'm getting on with Carousel and am changing around the problem stitch ( if you want the details of what I changed and why, it's in FoF) - so it looks a bit hybrid at the moment, but I hope to solve that tomorrow at the library craft group! And then it will also be time to start cutting.... The close-ups show some of the stitches I'm using, including some non-cut Hardanger filling.

[rcperryls]

It's so pretty now, I can't wait to see it after the cutting!

Carole

[Squirrel]

it. It is so rich and gorgeous.

[wendywombat]

I do like the way that you mix Hardanger with other stitching!! Fabulous crosses!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Final Maltese cross re-worked in light blue, the cutting done and the cut ends tucked in. Only Y-bars left to do now!

[Garnet]

Well, there you go. I knew you'd sort the problem out

It's so beautiful, so elegant and rich.

it.

yup, another Mabel Masterpiece

[rcperryls]

Beautiful and I agree that elegant is a wonderful description!!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Finished

and a close-up of the Y-bars. The intention is for them to give an impression of movement through their asymmetry - sort of chasing each other

[richardandtracy]

That is really special.

I love the two colours of blue. They go so well together.
The couched loops in the middle of each edge are fascinating. Would make a good engraved pattern on a pen barrel.
The Y bars are nice and the circular symmetry is probably the best way of adding the shape. And having them is better than not.
The piece de resistance is the lighter blue cross in the middle. So ornate and restrained at the same time.

Regards,

Richard.

[wendywombat]

I think that Richard has said it all!!
Well done Mabel for yet another perfect and very beautiful Hardanger Square!

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thank you Richard for that well-considered analysis - very helpful!

[karen4bells]

Absolute perfection!!!

[Squirrel]

That brings back a lot of lovely memories Mabel. I love the Y bars so useful for filling in.

Your finished square is amazing and, as always, beautifully stitched. .

[Serinde]

What an interesting design -- and that's the secret of your success, IMHO. All your designs are interesting to stitch as well as looking lovely. I also have a confession to make... I rather liked the two-tone Maltese cross because it provided an illusion of movement. However, I can see exactly why you changed it, and the analysis at FoF was really interesting.

[rcperryls]

Absolute perfection!!!

Love it!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

I also have a confession to make... I rather liked the two-tone Maltese cross because it provided an illusion of movement.

No need for a confession, we all like different looks and effects, and as a matter of fact I'm terribly ambivalent about this stitch all round. I like the two-tone (or even high-contrast) version when done in two thin threads, and I can even see the movement you mention in the plump version - but I knew that in the end it would niggle me more than it would please me, hence the change . And of course anyone who stitches it (rather to my astonishment I sold one last night, about an hour after I'd put it on the website ) can choose to use whatever colours they like for any of the stitches!