Hardanger Embroidery, Lesson 1, Introduction

I am a self taught hardanger stitcher. These videos will show how I stitch hardanger. The methods I use are not necessarily the “right” way to stitch, and could very well be the wrong way, but they work for me and I wanted to share this.
I am an amateur video maker with an older Sony camera and no editing software. I can not pause, re-start, edit out or make any other changes to the video. Please feel free to fast forward or back track.
An excellent book of instruction for Hardanger Embroidery is "Basics and Beyond" by Janice Love. The continuation to this is "Fundamentals Made Fancy", also by Janice Love.
Some stores I’ve purchased instructions, patterns and materials are:
Nordic Needle in Fargo North Dakota (USA)
Traditional Stitches in Calgary Alberta (Canada)
Gitta’s in Mississauga Ontario (Canada)
If you would like a good basic starter kit for Hardanger Embroidery I would recommend looking at the Nordic Needle website, they have quite a few. Here’s one very basic one -
www.nordicneedl...
Good luck and, most importantly, have fun!

[@solarwinds-]

This is the best hardanger course on all of KZbin bar none. Thanks Nina!

[@solarwinds-]

Hi Nina, hope you are well. I found your channel in 2016, you taught me how to hardanger and I have been doing it ever sense. Hope to hear from you soon. Your fan, SolarWinds.

[@dufocar566]

Thanks, have a great day!

[@sachdevkaurbala9705]

You did a Great job.

[@coloradozmom]

You are the BEST! I love the sincerity! Thank you for your honesty and great tutorial! If you have time, read Anna, the Norse woman who settled in Montana. A great Hardanger story. 'gona learn, gona learn, gona learn' :)

[@febbymarsh2231]

Nina, thanks so much for doing these hardanger instructional videos. I have created a watch list of them and intend to sit down and study and "practice" while enjoying them all.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Febby Marsh I'm so glad I am able to help. Please feel free to ask questions. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much 😊 you are a brilliant teacher 👨‍🏫 best I've seen so far!!!!!!! I am going to follow all your great tutorials.

[@ldrstitcher]

I'm teaching myself Hardanger this year & your videos are terrific!

[@PamsCraftyCorner]

Awesome! Will be watching the remaining videos for sure. Hardanger is just beautiful.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Pam Reid Thanks Pam!

[@Khristine4558]

Your a great teacher! If I ever work up the nerve to try hardanger I am definitely coming back to watch this again :)

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Thanks Khristine!

[@jaline9091]

You are a very good teacher, thank you so much. 2015 wow.

[@Marny5580]

My hazel eyes are greener than green! I took a class before moving from NY to CA and never even finished that first project. I sure do love the technique, however. Thank you SO much!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Have I inspired you to pick up that piece again?! Thanks so much!

[@sweetpeasouthernhome]

Yay I'm so glad you're doing these videos! I've had a Hardanger pattern for a while that I really want to do but I didn't want to mess it up. Can't wait to see the rest of your videos😊

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Crenee One step at a time and you can do it! Thanks for watching!

[@suelowe2244]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THESE PATTERNS BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO START.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Sue Lowe You're very welcome!

[@bhavishah164]

Stitching with a biauth

[@paramesramanathan4664]

My dear, your reply certainly 'put a big smile' as I was reading. Thank you so much for your prompt response! ❤️👏

[@tamrahunt]

Thank you for sharing your skills. I have a few small projects that have hardanger in them. I am a visual learner and your videos are great! I would also like tomsay I like your personality and you have a great laugh. Keep them coming on any subject. I like your videos!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+tamrahunt Thank you so much!

[@msiffyspiffy]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+msiffyspiffy You're very welcome!

[@CherylTheWaysideStitcher]

Just found your videos. Well done! Love your teaching style. Am learning hardanger; I did a bit of it about 25 years ago and bought Janice Love's book at that time, but I'm ready to get back into it. Thanks so much for doing this.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Cheryl TheWaysideStitcher I'm so glad you found this helpful. Thanks!

[@MyneedleEmbroidery]

I love your videos!Thank you !Learned many new things from your videos, thank you!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I'm so glad you found them helpful!

[@nittanyknits]

I'm so excited that you're doing this!! Thank you for sharing :))

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+j00licious Thank you!

[@felicitystitches3143]

Love it! Can't wait to follow along with you videos to learn this beautiful form of embroidery!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Jennifer Harvat I'm so glad you like them! Thanks!

[@felicitystitches3143]

+Stitching with a Smile I went to my local fabric store to find some Hardanger linen and could only find Evenweave (which looked to be single thread) and Aida. Are there any other fabric options or do I have to order from an online source?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Jennifer Harvat Aida would not work, however any other even weave would. My suggestion would be 25 count Lugana, it's one of my favorites to stitch Hardanger on. With this use a #5 Perle Cotton (size 22 tapestry needle) for the satin stitches, etc. And use a #8 Perle cotton for the needle weaving in the cutwork areas (use a size 24 tapestry needle here). If you can't find a #8 Perle Cotton in the colour you want, use DMC Thread instead (using only 1 or 2 threads from the 6 strand piece). Good luck and have fun! Nina

[@BasaciRaouf]

thank you very much for sharing this video.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Basaci Raouf You're very welcome!

[@laurayang7980]

love your video. i was finding some kind of videos like this. very helpful for me :^)

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Laura Yang I'm so glad you've found this helpful. Thanks so much for watching!

[@laurasharp7955]

Love the amateur lighting & great tips. I am rather keen to try a small piece of hardanger and ask whether one has to use hardanger material and no. 3 & 5 perle cotton?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Thanks so much Laura. You can use any evenweave fabric but not aida. So Lugana, linen, etc can be used. However 22 count hardanger is easy to see and sturdy enough when you're just starting out. As well, if you use another count of fabric like say 30 count or 36 count you will have to adjust the size of your thread. If you have a different fabric you want to try, I suggest you do some experimental stitching just to see how you like the look of the thread you have with the fabric (try stitching a free kloster blocks). Hope that helps!

[@user-bn5rx1gt3z]

انا بحب كل فيديوهاتك متشكره جدا لحضرتك فيدير جميل جدا

[@paramesramanathan4664]

When I make a block - what would each block measure in cm please? I did one block and it looks tiny! Please help. Thank you so much

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

This is totally dependent on your fabric count. On a fabric that has a count of 22 threads per 1 inch, the kloster block will be larger than if you used a higher fabric count such as a 30 count linen (30 threads per inch). I'm sorry I'm unable to convert to cm as this is how the fabric is sold here.

[@paramesramanathan4664]

I wish to make table napkins, what is the best measurement for each napkin please?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Do you have napkins that you like? If so use that as your starting measurement. If I were making napkins I would probably make them square, with a finished size around 20 inches (50 cm). But the size is totally up to you!

[@StitchingJoanne]

Cool camera set up :)

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

+Stitching Joanne Stitching stand....for more than just stitching!

[@GeminiDolly52951]

Thank you for posting these videos. For this particular design, what size piece of 22ct fabric will I need to have for doing the stitching? Do you have any videos explaining how to figure how much fabric for the designs?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi, sorry to take so long in responding. The size of fabric is about 8 inches square. I have not done any tutorials on figuring out fabric size, however will give it some thought. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@munirah16]

Hi there!! Thanks for this video! It helps a lot. I have bought all the items, just getting started. Question though.. how do we know which needle to use on which fabric. In my country it is hard to find any hardanger fabric. If the normal cross stitch cotton is it possible?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi! I'm so glad you find this video helpful. When you say normal cross stitch fabric I assume you are talking about Aida fabric. This won't work for hardanger. You won't be able to do the cut areas (the Aida weave does not allow for the needle weaving once the fabric is cut). The fabric that works best is a plain weave. Here are two links that explain this better than I can: cloudsfactory.net/blog/aida-linen-or-evenweave-differences-and-count/ www.funkandweber.com/counted-thread-embroidery-fabrics-101/ Sometimes Hardanger fabric is mislabeled as Aida 22 count - look at it super closely and check the weave. Any evenweave (same # of threads horizontally as vertically) can be used for hardanger as long as it is a plain weave (Aida is not a plain weave). 25 count Lugana is a nice alternative for a beginner. The higher counts of Lugana, linen, etc are also nice but might be a bit difficult for a beginner to work with. As for needles I suggest using a size 22 tapestry needle on 22 count (or 25 count) fabric for work done with the size 5 pearl cotton and a size 24 tapestry needle when using the size 8 pearl cotton for the needleweaving. If you decide to use a higher count fabric (like a 28 or 30 count for example), the thread size will need to be finer and the needle size finer as well. Let me know if you need help with this. Thanks so much for watching!

[@paramesramanathan4664]

The pattern I am thinking of is a 'diamond shape ' of Klosters in the Centre and pulled thread with spider web at the border corners! B(very ambitious!!!). Now the question on my mind the whole night was : which do I do first? 1. Hem the edges 2. Do the pulled thread and complete the web and finally 3. The Klosters? Please help. Thank you for your support.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

That sounds beautiful! My recommendation would be to do the klosters first. When that is done iron the napkin, then work the hem (easier to work with a well ironed napkin). Then lastly work the pulled (or drawn thread) and the web. I just remembered an excellent source for embroidery tutorials, Mary Corbet with Needle 'n Thread. Here's a link to her drawn thread instructions, hope this helps! www.needlenthread.com/2010/04/drawn-thread-embroidery-tutorials.html

[@paramesramanathan4664]

Thank you for your reply. You don't know how happy I am!

[@dufocar566]

I wonder what scissors I should use?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Carole. Scissors are a trial and error item. You will need finely pointed sharp, but not too sharp, scissors. I say 'not too sharp' because I use the blade to pull up the thread I want to cut, and before cutting make sure it's the right thread and away from others. If the blade is very sharp I find that it will slice the thread before I'm ready (and may make a mistake). But they do need to be sharp so that your not trying to 'saw' through the thread. The scissor I use for cutting I can no longer find. But I also use Gingher scissors which are very good. Another place to look, if you have access to it, is a medical supply outlet. They may have good quality sharp pointed scissors for surgery.

[@anaylagomesdeoliveiracodog590]

Que maravilha.... adorei...💞❣💕❤

[@paramesramanathan4664]

Mine is a 22 count fabric. Very sorry, I forgot to state that in my query. My apologies

[@hudasamad902]

hello,is this possible to do hardenger embroidery on normal cloth like cotton etc?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Technically no you can't do hardanger on normal cloth because of the nature of counting the threads and especially for the cutting and needle weaving. However you probably could embroider something similar on regular cloth using satin stitches (without the cutting and needle weaving). It won't look quite like hardanger but would still look very nice. Give it a try, you might quite like the outcome!

[@hudasamad902]

@@stitchingwithasmile677 thanx for reply mam

[@VJFavourites]

Hi. Lov your vidos. How many rows to the second row of kloster blocks ?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi - the inner square of kloster blocks has 20 in all, or 6 for each side (count the ending kloster block as the start of the next side). The outer square has 44 total, with 12 for each side. Hope this answers your question, thanks for watching!

[@dufocar566]

Do I need to buy the pattern in order to follow you, and if so, where can I get it? I will be following you very closely since it will be my first time.

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Carole. This is my own pattern and I will be glad to email it to you if you can provide me with your email address. Just a note - it is hand drawn, so it is not very professional, but you should be able to use it for the lesson. Nina

[@dufocar566]

@@stitchingwithasmile677 where should I enter my info. It is personal

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

@@dufocar566 This may work better for you. Send me an email at [e-mail]

[@carolinarkasas26]

OK, Nina. I would like to start a large, longer rectangular piece after your lovely square one. (nearly completed.) :) How do you do the diagonal guidelines? Also, is there something else to add to check your counting on the longer, large pieces? I can find all sorts of "beginner" how to videos on stitches, but nothing on how or where to begin on larger pieces. :( I'm assuming it's wise to again begin in the middle? Thanks. Have a Merry Christmas too. btw. :D

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Hi Carol. That's great that you've nearly done the square one, congratulations! As for the larger piece and guidelines - for a rectangular piece I've only ever done the horizontal and vertical guidelines. I have done diagonal guidelines but only on square pieces. Not sure how they would work on a rectangular piece. For beginning a larger piece, I still start anywhere that counting is easiest and usually that means something closer to the centre, whether that's a motif or kloster blocks and work out from there. Have a very Merry Christmas as well!

[@carolinarkasas26]

Thanks much Nina. Scared to start, but need to get going on it... Dad gets a biopsy on Dec.27th and could be a very long day so hoping I can find time to get things ready. :)

[@diannalynnYT]

Is there a difference between 22ct Hardanger and 22ct aida?

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

I don't think there is a 22 count aida (but I could be wrong). I think if it's labeled 22 count aida, you should very carefully look at the weave. In Aida each 'thread' is actually made up of 4 threads intertwined. On hardanger, each 'thread' is actually two threads. (When I say 'thread' I mean the thread or threads between each hole). So if you have really good eyes or take a magnifying glass to 22 count fabric, check the number of threads between each hole. Here's a link to a site that has an excellent drawing of how aida is woven: how-to-cross-stitch-on-any-fabric Here's a link to a site that shows a picture of hardanger fabric embroidery-fabrics-1177597 Hope this helps!

[@diannalynnYT]

@@stitchingwithasmile677 all the packaging says 22ct aida. I do have 22ct hardanger , which is what I’m stitching on. I did end up getting the magnifying glasses that clip on my normal glasses for a bit more magnification. I’ll check that site out. Thank you. The 22ct aida I get from Michaels.

[@paramesramanathan4664]

Mine is a 22 count fabric. Very sorry, I forgot to state that in my query. My apologies