It’s three weeks since I last showed my Tall Year Square Etui, it’s a pattern by Betsy Morgan from issue 93 of Classic Inspirations. This is where I was three weeks ago…
I must admit over recent weeks I’ve been concentrating on my Sunshine quilt (as there is a dead line for that one, called a wedding!!) and also my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt as I’m on the final stretch now and I just want to get it finished.
OK, excuses over, I’ve stitched some very tiny, cute bunnies! These are stitched in cross-stitch over a SINGLE thread of linen, they are rather small stitches to say the least! I think if I was starting this again I would have used 28 count linen instead of 32, it would be a little easier on the eyes! I’m not finding the charts easy to follow yet, I’m sure it’s just getting my eye in but they are drawn with each line being a single thread of linen, rather than one square as two rows (or one standard cross-stitch. The bunny on the right is slightly plumper than he should be, but that’s just imitating nature!! To give you an idea of scale the embroidered area is just over 2.5″ across!
The flower in the middle is in satin stitch, I think it looks a bit like a forget-me-not flower. The leaves were meant to be satin stitch with a backstich vein,but I decided to use fly stitch instead, I’m pleased with the effect.
Last night I started the next section, this has a back-stitched flower border on either side of a floral motif, when I came to take the photo I realised I’d started one thread too high on the right and it’s very obvious, so it looks like I’ve a bit of unpicking to do!
All these threads bar one are DMC variegated flosses, I’ve got quite a collection now. The pattern uses Gloriana silk thread which I’m sure is beautiful to use but it way out of my budget. I was a bit concerned that using just variegated threads could be a bit too much but so far each time I’ve thought I’d use a plain colour it hasn’t looked right and I’ve reverted to variegated. I am trying to keep to a limited palette though, spring time colours of green, blue and yellow with a touch of pink/purple.
This Stitch-a-long is organised by Avis, we all choose are own projects and post about our progress every three weeks. If you would like to join us please contact Avis at the link below. There’s lots of amazing needlework so please follow the links to see what everyone else is stitching.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina,
Kathy, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Mary Margaret,
thecraftycreek 
Your colours are beautiful. I’m inspired to try the pattern. I have the Inpirations magazine. I would also use DMC as I can’t justify the expense of beautiful silks. Did you plan where the variegation colours would be. I haven’t very often used variegated threads. 🙂
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Thanks Jude, I haven’t really found a way of determining where a vertain colour will land, the most I do is to trim a bit off the end of the thread to start on a certain shade.
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stitching and colours are gorgeous. A shame about the miscount.
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Those bunnies and the flower are adorable. I’d be tempted to leave the miscounted stitching and do some creative infilling, but then I’m lazy!
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Trust me Kate, that was my first thought!!! I think it would show up too much though
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Never mind, you’re probably right and it will be so pretty when it’s fixed.
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Those rabbits are adorable! I am amazed that what you showed us is only 2.5” across. I’m sure my eyes could not handle such a small scale!
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You do like a challenge! So far it’s looking gorgeous, so dainty.
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The engineering on these etui boxes is really intriguing! I love their verse gated threads you are using. I had a mini portrait over one thread when I made Girl #2’s Christmas stocking way back when and it was a challenge on 25 count with young eyes, so I am happy to know you are still sane and your bunnies look great! I may have to hunt down something like this for my next project.😍
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Both of my pictorial projects are in over one territory. If it wasn’t for magnification, I would have to give up! 32 over one is tiny! Good luck on the part you have to take out.
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Very cute progress! So tiny, I can’t imagine, but I’m expanding into that territory with my latest stitchy stash. This is a beautiful project and looking forward to your next update!
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The palette of colors is perfect. It says spring even without the bunnies and flowers. Too bad about the one border being off, especially on such a fine canvas. Good luck with that ripping job. This whole project is amazing!
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I’m admiring those tiny stitches because I know I wouldn’t be able to see all that well to even do 14 count stitches anymore. What a cute piece.
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This is so pretty. I don’t like working on 32 count at all. I just can’t see it. Those bunnies are adorable.
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It’s looking fabulous, especially those cute bunnies. Like everyone else I am in awe of how you are able to stitch at such a small level. I agree that the variegated yarn works so well.
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Looks lovely so far!
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I love how delicate and how detailed your stitching is — those bunnies are adorable! I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of this project, including the construction for putting it together!
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This is exquisite! I love the thread you’ve used. Shame about the miscounted though….frustrating!
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How wonderful! Love your thread colours!
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This is looking so pretty. I love the little bunnies.
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Very pretty
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The variegated threads really make this design beautiful! I’m not sure how you ever did those bunnies over one thread!
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This is very minimal, I don´t know how you managed to stitch it. Well done!
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Love those little bunnies but I’m in awe of how you managed to stitch them so tiny.
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This is really lovely, I love your colours and your bunny!
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