We'd like to share with you our signature needlework, Hardanger embroidery. Now that you have taken the first step and decided to learn Hardanger embroidery, let us reassure you that it is not as difficult as it appears. For your first project, choose a contrasting thread and fabric since this will make it easier to see your mistakes or any split threads. Avoid dark colors of fabric while you are learning for they are somewhat harder to work with than the lighter shades.
Before you begin your first piece, read the instructions carefully. Notice that each Hardanger fabric thread consists of two strands which must never be split. Since knots are never used in Hardanger embroidery, begin each piece by leaving a three-inch tail of thread which will be drawn under the completed satin stitch blocks on the wrong side of the piece.
Origin: Hardanger embroidery is a delicate form of open needlework which originated in the Hardanger region of Norway hundreds of years ago. It gradually spread to other parts of Europe and then to the United States with the Scandinavian immigrants.
Fabric: Hardanger embroidery is a form of counted-thread embroidery which must be worked on an even-weave fabric. Traditionally, the work was done on white linen with white thread; however, the fabric most commonly used today is an even-weave cotton with 22 threads per inch. This fabric, known appropriately as Hardanger fabric, is imported mostly from Europe, and comes in a variety of colors. Many other even-weave fabrics have recently become available and are also suitable for Hardanger embroidery.
Thread: The thread used in Hardanger embroidery, pearl cotton, is available in many shades. Two sizes of thread are needed to complete the embroidery. The heavier work, including satin stitches, solid motifs and the buttonhole edge, is embroidered with pearl cotton, #5. The finer work, completed after the cutting and removal of some threads of the fabric, uses a single thread of size #8 pearl cotton.
Other Supplies: The only supplies needed, in addition to even-weave fabric and pearl cotton thread, are tapestry needles and a good quality embroidery scissors. The scissors must have fine, sharp points to make the cutwork easy to accomplish and neat in appearance. Tapestry needles are important because they have blunt points and will not split the threads of the fabric as easily as sharp needles; size 22 and 24 needles work well for the two sizes of thread used.
These instruction have been taken from the Beginner's Charted Hardanger Embroidery book. Copyright 1980 by Susan L. Meier and Rosalyn K. Watnemo.
Nordic Needle, Inc., 1314 Gateway Drive, Fargo, North Dakota 58103
This page is for personal use only and may not be reproduced for sale.
We would like to give credit to Jessica Watnemo for the original rosemaling (1997).
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