Our talented New England stitchers at the Connecticut River Valley Chapter have been creating stunning “Water Spiral” ornaments – the beautiful companion to last year’s popular “Earth Spiral” project! While both are spiral ornaments, the Water Spiral brings its own unique character and challenges.
About the Project
Ground Fabric: 28-count Cashel White linen
Thread: Cottage Garden Thread Dark Yew in sizes 8 and 12
These elegant 6.5″ Hardanger spiral ornaments start as 12″ long by 1.25″ wide strips worked in various traditional Hardanger stitches. The design alternates between intricate ship stitch motifs and delicate filling stitches.
The magic happens in the finishing – the completed strip is carefully wound into a spiral and joined using Ukrainian Insertion Stitches, specifically the two-step Boikian Joining technique. The result is a sophisticated ornament that showcases both precision stitching and expert finishing skills.
Techniques Featured
This intermediate-level project incorporates classic Hardanger techniques including:
- Wrapped bars and woven bars
- Satin stitch and ship stitch
- Dove’s eye and eyelets
- Greek Cross filling
- Ukrainian Insertion (Boikian Joining)
The Learning Experience
Taught over two sessions (February 8 and March 8, 2025), this Zoom class allowed students to master thread cutting and needle weaving techniques while working with the precision required for 28-count linen. The instructor guided participants through each step, from the initial stitching through the complex spiral joining process.
Each finished ornament is a testament to the stitcher’s patience and skill – a beautiful keepsake that demonstrates the timeless elegance of Hardanger embroidery.
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