+of+scan.jpg)
Sharon B was right in us this is an easy stitch and an attractive border as is. However, I couldn't think of much else to do with it other than vary the stitch horizontally or vertically. Here's what I did left to right:
1. This looks like the traditional stitch and starts out that way, but if you look closely you'll see that after the first two stitches I lengthened the next two by one thread, then go back to the original and alternate from there. I like this effect, gives a texture of crackle and looks somehow lacier.
2. Started off normal, then a little zig-zag, then back to normal until I veer off to the left by changing the position of the first stitch. You can see where I began the righthand diversion; the first stitch begins to the left of the last stitch in the upper, single column and covers the gap left by the top of the left branch.
The right branch experiments with horizontal variations. I might have avoided the "nubs" if I had made the changes more gradual and by paying closer attention to the tension.
3. Exactly like #1
4. Upper portion of this column is worked evenly but more open. Below I worked two side by side rows.
5. Didn't want you to think the squiggles in Column 2 were mistakes. Here's an entire column done zigzag style with random stitch length variation.
6. The final column show a gradation in stitch length.
I don't particularly care for this stitch on its side, but I think vertically it doesn't make much difference upside down.
See what other TAST'ers are doing on our Flickr site.
