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I've only done counted cross stitch before, but I've found some hardanger patterns I'd like to try.. unfortunately I haven't found any good directions for some of the stitches.. like The Dove's Eye stitches or any of the other stitches where you cut out threads of the fabrics. I've also noticed that many of the pictures with the cut outs have solid colors behind the empty spaces.
Does anybody know of any books or sites with good instructions for hardanger stitches and such?

I never found anything really good I'm afraid and I looked for quite a while, I'll be interested to see if anyone has any suggestions.

I ended up taking lessons and even then the lesson plans/descriptions were not terrific but once you get shown how to do it, it's simple enough to actually do 8}

Check out the topic here - one of our hardanger 'experts' has some suggestions

=Hardanger topic

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look.

http://www.stitchdirect.com/shopWebSite ... ?plu=HB01K" target="_blank
Easing into Hardanger is a popular one for this site... It has great instructions but I was still a bit confused at times..

When you order from Mabel on her site http://www.mabelfigworthy.co.uk/" target="_blank the chart pack comes with great instructions as well
Faith

Thanks for the plug Faith -- yes, Easing Into Hardanger by Mary Hickmott is really good, I would definitely recommend it.

Oh, about the solid colour behind cut areas, if you mean in the chart then that's just to indicate that it is a cut area, if you mean in a finished piece of stitching then it's probably just backing material which they've put behind it to make the cut areas and filling stitches show up better. I often photograph my projects against a background of coloured felt for that reason.

Anytime Mabel
Faith

I recently just ordered a few patterns from Mabel's site, and I thought the instructions were fantastic. I have never tried hardanger before; I have no books to teach me.

I have yet to try my hand at Mabel's patterns, but once I make it to my LNS to get some perle cottons, then I will have a go. I've read the instructions in detail and though a few parts scare me, the instructions are very clear and should be easy to follow.

If you can't find good instructions for your particular stitch - ask Mabel!