Four weeks in to this SAL and I’m up to date, though I still haven’t started my borders, mainly because I still haven’t quite decided on colours. This is the free stitch-a-long by Claire of Peppermint Purple, there’s two layouts, an oblong one and a square one and a new block pattern is released every Wednesday for the rest of the year. There’s a friendly facebook group too where you can see lots of colour options.
Having been inspired last year by someone who created an image of a candle on their blackstitch, I’m hopefully stitching a picture of my special place, Catbells.
Last time I shared this I’d just done the two blocks…
The fabric is a lovely dyed one in shades of blue, I’m hoping it will help with sky and the reflection of Catbells in the lake.
The third block took a lot of concentration, it took quite a while and a bit of frogging before I got the hang of the pattern. I’ve also discovered that unpicking (or frogging) is not that easy with blackwork!! I did hear on facebook (so it must be true!!) that in French the phrase used instead of frogging is ‘a visit from Penelope’. In Greek mythology Penelope agrees to choose a suitor once she has finished her weaving, but every night she unpicks some of her work so it is never finished. I think that’s a much nicer phrase! I had several visits from Penelope stitching this block!!
The fourth block was much simpler – and smaller! The hardest bit is working out the outline of Catbells, once I get below the outline it will be much easier.
The top of Catbells in starting to take shape. It’s interesting how the colours change with the background, the skeins I’ve used for Catbells are soft purples, but they look quite brown stitched. Not sure what the brown ones will look like!
I’ll probably decide on the background once I’ve stitched most of Catbells, so at the half way point. The background I’m thinking of is like a basketweave pattern. The options I’ve thought of so far are to use one colour throughout, possible a soft blue grey, or to continue the shape of the fells across to the outer border, maybe using a variegated thread. Any thoughts or suggestions welcome!
thecraftycreek 
Looking great, Margaret! 🙂
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This is a cool concept, will it be a silhouette of the Catbells, or will there be more shading?
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A mixture in that I’m using ambers, purples and browny-greens for the main mountain squares, fresh green where the woods are…and I haven’t quite worked out how to do the reflection in Derwentwater, lighter shades or variegated!
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The work is clever and I look forward to seeing how Catbells emerges in the iteration. We’ve been privy to such wonderful interpretations in the past. Actually, you should make a little book with different stitched interpretations of the area – I’d love to see it.
I’m keen to learn blackwork this year but the fact that you of all people, with your skill, are finding it a challenge, scares me… Best wishes
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Hi Prue, blackwork isn’t technically difficult (from my limited experience!!) after all it’s just back stitch, I just find I need to concentrate on some patterns more than others. I’d recommend the SAL as it is just a little square each week.
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I love the idea of using the blocks to paint a picture of Catbells. Can’t wait to see more 🙂
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That third one is hard to see at first too. Once you do though it’s lovely.
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Hello Margaret, this blackwork is beautiful, I’m enjoying following you. I would also like to learn but I have whitework to master first and am enjoying that. Love Mandy xx
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Ooh, not tried white work but it always looks beautiful
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Looks beautiful, the stitches are amazing
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