Fancy laced running stitch

Fancy laced running stitch is one of the popular borders in kantha embroidery.

I just thought y'all might like to learn it so here it is..

                                                  

Step 1 - Work 5 rows of non-aligned kantha stitches.

(click on the images for a better view)

Step 2 - Start lacing with a second color or shade thread by passing the needle and thread under the diagonal row of stitches as shown.

Step 3 - Continue lacing as shown.

Step 4 - Go back down and fasten the second color/shade thread as shown.

Step 5 - Repeat steps 2,3 and 4 with third color/shade thread and next set of diagonal stitches.

Step 6 - Repeat steps 2,3 and 4 with fourth color/shade thread and next set of diagonal stitches.

Step 7 - Repeat steps 2,3 and 4 with fifth color/shade thread and next set of diagonal stitches.

Step 8 - Repeat steps 2,3 and 4 with sixth color/shade thread and next set of diagonal stitches.

Step 9 - Repeat steps 2,3 and 4 with seventh color/shade thread and next set of diagonal stitches.

                                     

Have you stitched this border before? Please let me know if you know this stitch by any other name.

Happy stitching!

Anita.

Sal kantha - final stitches

I was not happy with my color choice for the birds at the bottom of the design. I wanted to change it because the green shade looked kind of washed out and before deciding on a different color I tried another green shade.

                                                    

I'm glad that I tried because am very pleased with result now. It looks a lot better in real than in photograph,thanks to my great photography skills.

First I had changed the paichano lines of the bird from green shade #239 to green shade #229.It's the same green that we've filled the calyx of the bud. I have filled the gaps between the bejod bands (red kantha stitch bands inside the bird) with diagonal kantha filling stitch lines using 2 strands of the same green.                                                    

The diagonal line is created by a slight forward movement of the kantha stitches.I also changed the angle of the lines I each space just to add a little interest.I also worked a row of kantha stitches between every two diagonal green filling stitches with shade # 926.The eyes are done with kantha filling stitch using black.

Today is the last day of our kantha SAL. I'd like to thank each one of you for participating in this SAL.

A special thanks to the girls who have really stitched along with me, gave suggestions, shared thoughts and ideas.

Did you pick up a new stitch/technique/tip in this SAL? Of all the stitch techniques we have covered in this SAL which one is your most favorite and least favorite stitch? Did you like the slow pace of this SAL or would you have preferred a faster pace? 

 I'd appreciate if you could spend a couple of minutes to leave a feedback.Please feel free to leave both positive and negative feedback.

Happy stitching!

Anita.

Sal Kantha - triangle border, dots and flower center

I have filled the triangle borders with kantha stitches using red shd # 047 and the dots are filled with kantha filling stitch using purple shd # 0112 .

                                                      

I have also filled the center of the crown flower and the kantha booti with a couple of kantha stitches using yellow and red. I've managed to fill the tiny gap at the bottom too and I think it looks okay now.

Thank you for leaving your opinion/suggestions about changing the bird color ..both here and via e-mail.A couple of you said that it looks good and I shouldn't change the green.But I think I'll go for a change..But remember that it's okay if you don't have to change the colors, it's after all your project and you are going to live with it so as long as you are happy please go ahead and leave it as it is.

See you all next week with a final update.

Happy stitching!

Anita.

Sal kantha - dhaneer sheesh border

I have filled the space between the two 'paichano' borders with an interesting filling stitch called 'dhaneer sheesh'. I don't know about others but for me this one is an interesting filling stitch which seems simple but it's quite difficult to get the movement correct.

Dhaneer sheesh is a filling stitch where equal length of kantha stitches are stitched in rows to form an arrowhead .The speciality of this particular filling is the stitches have either forward or backward movement in each row, interesting,huh?

                                                   

This filling can either be worked as an isolated group of stitches to form one arrowhead or rows of kantha stitches to form an arrowhead band.I prefer to work in continuous group if the border is straight but here since it's a curved one I chose to work individual arrowheads closely to form a band with 2 strands of black floss.

                                               

    

I wanted the arrowheads on both sides to face up so I started working this band from the lower part close to the wheel,completed the border on one side and then started again at the bottom to complete the second side.When I reached the tip I just arranged the stitches at an angle on both sides to get the pointed effect at the tip.Have you noticed a weird gap at the bottom of the band ? I'll have to think how to fill that gap,any suggestions?

                                                 

                                               dhaneer sheesh with 5 kantha stitches

To work an isolated dhaneer sheesh just work it like we did for kantha filling stitch but keep the stitches either forward or backward to the previous one.

                                         

                                                 dhaneer sheesh with 7 kantha stitches

                                  (click on the image to view the placement of the stitches)

To work a band work a row of kantha stitches from right to left ,continue working a second row of stitches from left to right by placing the stitches slightly forward or backward and continue these steps until you complete the pattern.

Now that the band is filled I have some concerns about my choice of the green shade for the birds..I tried this filling with other colors too but it didn't look as good as this..

But I'm not going to change it until I fill the triangles and the dots ,will see how it looks after that...what do you think? Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comment box.

See y'all next Wednesday with an update.

Happy stitching!

Anita.