more coral knotting

I devoted a bit of time yesterday morning to doing some more on Luzine’s left-handed Schwalm. When I had started, I had automatically mounted the fabric into my embroidery hoop. But I was finding the coral knot stitch hard going with the fabric provided, in the hoop.

When I do coral knot stitch in Mountmellick embroidery, I often actually stab it, rather than scoop. But for Luzine’s project I am trying very hard to follow HER instructions, and do it HER way, not mine. I figure that I’m going to learn more that way. I’m sure she’s got her reasons for doing things, and while they may not be obvious to me from my current uninformed state, with practice and actual experience with the technique, her reasons might become clear.

So I emailed her to ask her whether I should have it within the hoop for working the coral knot stitch. I had carefully read and re-read the instructions she had supplied, and while it said I needed a hoop for the project, at no point yet had it actually said to use the hoop. I wanted to clarify with her, what I should be doing at that point.

Luzine replied:
“There are a lot of teachers telling, that all stitches have to be worked with embroidery mounted into the hoop. I myself do not like to work some stitches – also the coral knot – mounted. I tested the appearance of my stitches – mounted and not mounted. And I could not find a difference.
So I did not say to absolutely have to use a hoop for all stitches, I also did not say to use no hoop – I left it open. Every embroideress can do it as it is best for her, I think. I only mentioned to use a hoop while working the filling patterns. There it is absolutely necessary.”

Yesterday I took it out of the hoop, and started working coral knot again. And OH how much easier it was and how much more happy was I! It went so much quicker. The thread didn’t turn blue as it had previously. And I think my stitching looks nicer.

Happy day. 🙂 (Thanks Luzine!)