My eye has always been attracted to classic blackwork embroidery pieces for their seemingly simplistic shapes, repetition and use of a single colour. Once I started to delve deeper, I became interested in their complexity, and what you could do with a simple line. I soon learned how you could build not only complex shapes, but textures and a feeling of movement. As I explored crewel work, needlepoint, paper embroidery and string art, I wondered how I could incorporate elements from these crafts into cross stitch. Traditional blackwork is made in black thread on white fabric, and cross stitch often uses white as the background, as well. I wanted to inject some modern elements into my piece by playing with colour. I like the play of the bright pink and copper shapes on the black ground, as well as the shapes the voids create. The use of metallic thread in the copper piece adds another layer to the pattern, with the shine on the thread creating highlights throughout. A striking motif is guaranteed, whatever colour you choose.
Materials
- 14 Count Aida cloth (shown in black)
- 13 cm/5-inch bamboo embroidery hoop
- Embroidery floss (shown in DMC Dark Cranberry #601 [pink] or DMC Light Effect Floss Copper #E301 [copper])
- Size 26 tapestry needle
- Scissors
Finished Size
12 cm/4.5 inches diameter on 14-count Aida cloth.
![[Book Excerpt] Gathering Colour, by Caitlin ffrench: Stitching Walking Ritual](https://www.digitsandthreads.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Gathering-Colour-cover-400x250.png)
