What’s in my three Hardanger books?

Now that I have written three Hardanger books, questions I have already had and probably will get asked more and more are, “Which one is best to start with?” and “Which one is best for a beginner?”

Elegant Hardanger Embroidery

Elegant Hardanger Embroidery is less comprehensive than the others, but focuses more on contemporary style Hardanger. It only has right-handed step-by-step instructions. Notable inclusions in this book are buttonhole edging (not in either of the others), lacy buttonhole edging (in this and Hardanger Filling Stitches), and 15 projects. A beginner could use this book.

Flip-through on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xk1qhDSqg6U?si=u9scmouWNelPLObG

Early-Style Hardanger

Early-Style Hardanger has both left- and right-handed step-by-step instructions and focuses on traditional style Hardanger. Notable inclusions in this book are old-style stitches that have fallen out of regular usage, and 10 projects. A beginner could use this book.

Flip through on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iB518snBf7g?si=q77iE0lVO-w_MIZh

Hardanger Filling Stitches

Hardanger Filling Stitches has both left- and right-handed step-by-step instructions, but focuses mainly on the cutwork aspect of Hardanger. It does have some of the basics, such as klosters, cable stitch, eyelets etc, but that is not its main focus. Notable inclusions in this book are over 100 filling stitches and variations, and a large Hardangerband sampler project. A beginner could use this book.

Flip through on YouTube: https://youtu.be/G5tmV91mabI

So which one?

Personally, I feel that Early-Style Hardanger would be a good one for a beginner to learn the basics really well, and also move further into harder stitches and techniques. If you’re one of the many people who have come to me through my friend hardangerrebel on Instagram, that book is how she learned Hardanger.