TAST 2012 - CAUGHT UP!

No excuses here.  I've been lazy all spring.  When we got back from the beach in April I immediately dyed more Aida cloth with the genuine intention of stitching right along.  I think that was a respite week, so instead of stitching I knit and read.  That evenweave I'd left in the laundryroom to dry overnight remained there until about two weeks ago when I determined to get my embroidery act together.  Since I had 8 weeks of catch-up, it seemed prudent to keep the stitching short and simple.
Here it is and taking up about 2/3's of the third Aida piece.

TAST 2012 - BARRED CHAINS

Barred and alterrnating barred chains are worked with a regular chain stitch between twisted chains.
I found myself wanted to skip the plain chain stitch but realized I'd just be working twisted chain.  It was slightly awkward for me to make the transition between the two stitches, but after awhile I was able to establish a rhythym, although the twists required a bit of manipulation to match the regular chain loops. 

I know these stitches are open to lots of possibilities like length & placement of the bars.  The bars themselves are perfect for couching and lacing.  If you look at my double row with buttons, you'll see I took good advantage of the regular chain stitch and wove the yarn through it as well as the bar.  That's a #5 perle foundation.

To the right of the "Barred Chains" I worked two parallel lines of barred chain.  It's delicate and hard to see because I used only one strand of floss.  I like the potential here to create further design between the lines.

As to the vertical chains -- well, I  was experimenting with irregular placed chains, a zig-zaggy effect.  Once again I felt limited by the Aida cloth.  I know I might have had more fun with spirals and circles and freeform on plain fabric.

With these stitches I completed my second piece of sampler fabric, which includes Weeks 7-12 of  the Take a Stitch Tuesday challenge.   You can see it below.

TAST 2012 - WHIPPED WHEEL

When in doubt, read the directions!  I know, I know, you're seeing some woven wheels there.  They are the ones I worked first, but sensed the spokes weren't ribbing.  I decided to leave them in the sampler as as a comparative reference and humbling reminder not to be so cocky.  I worked both 5 and 6 spoke wheels (they impress me more as stars), but they are awkward looking.  I think even tension with the wraps is essential.  I think I might have had better luck if I weren't using the aida cloth and if I were working a hooped fabric.  I personally prefer whipped wheels when they are densely worked with other stitches and embellishments as in Sharon's second example.  You can also see and learn if you check out Sharon B's Sumptuous Surfaces Class.

I was blown away when I viewed Sharon's spotlight on whipped wheels.  Well worth your time to take a peek at these incredible examples.  Wow!