Book tour – Early-Style Hardanger

Some people go on a book tour when they release a new book. I’ve never done this, but I thought I could instead take you on a tour of some of my books. I know that some of you have been along for the ride since the beginning but some of you are newer to my books and may not be aware of particularly some of the earlier ones. You are all most welcome to join me on my book tour!

Our previous stop on the book tour was Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature. Today we will take a tour of Early-Style Hardanger by Yvette Stanton.

Ever since I wrote Elegant Hardanger Embroidery I had wanted to do another book on Hardanger, taking readers right back to the historical style which is so very different from contemporary Hardanger. Eventually, the right time came to do that, and I visited Norway to research it, timing my visit for 17th May, which is Norway’s national day. On this day, many Norwegians parade in their folk costume, making it a culturally spectacular day! I also visited museums, spoke with curators and studied many historical items.

The book opens with information about and examples of historical-style Hardanger. There are two pages which visually compare the differences between contemporary and old-style Hardanger. As well as the step-by-step instructions for both left-handers and right-handers, there are 10 beautiful projects, ranging from small and quick, to large and more of a commitment. They are worked in the traditional linen thread on fine evenweave linen fabric (not Hardanger fabric, which is not traditional!). This creates a very lacy effect. A couple of projects are also reinterpreted in colour for a bit of variation.

Here’s what some people have said about “Early-Style Hardanger”:

“I have been eagerly awaiting delivery of Yvette Stanton’s new book “Early Style Hardanger” since its publication was announced, and I have not been disappointed. This is a must have book for a needleworker’s library. Normally I dip into books but I have been totally enthralled from the 1st to the 160th page, all of which are packed with over 1500 colour photos and diagrams.” —Nicola, Hands Across the Sea Samplers, UK

“I LOVE it!!! I am going to show it to my mum (from Hardanger, learned hardanger-stitching from her mum who was taught by her mum…), she doesn’t like reading English, but she doesn’t really need to read with those illustrations! -I am just going to keep it for myself for a while first. 😀 Kudos! Excellent work! *Happy!*” – Iris, Norway

“I received my book today and WOW. It’s awesome!! The pages comparing old and new are eye-openers. Add the history, projects, and the stitches, WOW. I LOVE your new book! I’m glad I ordered it and have it to drool over before I decide what to make first. Maybe I’ll start with the biscornu and then go for the square mat…” — Jana, USA

This book is quite different to my earlier Hardanger book, Elegant Hardanger Embroidery which teaches contemporary Hardanger. Early-Style Hardanger focuses particularly on traditional, historial-style Hardanger. Some of the stitches are old stitches that have fallen out of regular usage in contemporary Hardanger. Because the two books are quite different, though there is some overlap in the stitches, they each have their place.

If you’d like to learn more about the history and cultural roots of Hardanger, this is the book for you. You can purchase Early-Style Hardanger by Yvette Stanton from Vetty Creations or from your favourite needlework retailer.