Crathorne Bug - antenna and head

antenna worked in DMC Col.3031 stem stitch,
and split stitch around the head using DMC Col.3782

I worked the left antenna holding the loop of thread to the left, and the right antenna holding the loop of thread to the right, so that the twist of the stem stitch mirrors from left to right.  I also extended the last top stitch out, so that the antenna thins out.

satin stitch the head using DMC Col.3782, starting from the middle and working outwards on both sides

so far!

Crathorne Bug - body, satin stitch, and trellis work split

split stitch using one strand of DMC Col. 644

satin stitch starting from the middle, and working over the split stitch

completed satin stitch

laid work, worked in DMC Col.3782, set the first central cross

then, work parallel lines of stitch, either side of the central cross

at every crossover of the laid work, work a small stitch to hold in place, again with DMC Col.3782

laid work, and body complete

Crathorne Bug - dots

Split stitch around the dot

Traditionally the needle is brought up through the previous stitch as it creates less bulk on the back of the work, but this scale is so small, it is possible to bring the needle up in front of the previous stitch and then take down through the stitch - up to you!

Keep the split stitch small as it is such a small area

Begin the satin stitch from the middle bringing the needle up outside of the split stitch, and down over the other side of the split stitch.  The direction of the satin stitch is parallel to that of the oversewing of the trailing on all four sides. 

Satin stitch is worked out from the middle on both sides 

Difficult shape to satin stitch as it is so small - so keep stitches compact and very close together.  
Keep the tension firm

All worked with DMC Col.3782 stranded cotton

seeding and block shading

seeding with needle action - part 1

seeding with needle action - part 2

seeding complete with Bayeux stitch

block shading over split stitch - stage 1

block shading over split stitch - stage 2

block shading complete!

Seeding - I had worked the seeding previously all over the leaves - then, when I read Nikki's instructions - I realised it only needed to be around the edge of the leaves, which I preferred - so I started again!

Block shading - This stitch is worked similar to long and short shading, except, on the second row, each stitch is worked in line next to one another, so that bands or blocks of shading are created!

P.S. - I have now actually finished this whole project, but I have decided to spread my posts over the coming weeks so you will still be able to follow my progress and watch this crewel work design for Nicola Jarvis's exhibition grow!

blanket stitch vs blanket stitch vs satin stitch

close blanket stitching - my preferred!

open blanket stitch - too open!

satin stitching with split stitch - too heavy!

My dilemma this week was - how to make the area around the outside of the big leaves work for me!  I started with Nikki's suggestion of blanket stitch.  I worked the stitch quite open - then I decided it was too open.  I then tried satin stitch as I was not keen on blanket stitch - too heavy!  So I looked at how Kathy from the unbrokenthread blog approached it.  I liked Kathy's approach -  close blanket stitch plus it is quicker than satin stitch and stronger than the open approach I started with.  Decision made - what do you think?

Berries

Berries in satin stitch, stems in stem stitch

Background Bayeux stitch

Berries now complete along with the Bayeux stitch which lays behind.  The berries are satin stitched over split stitch to give them a little lift!  On to the next bit . . . 

More detail and trellis work . . .

detail and trellis work

the working needle

Worked hard to almost finish the top half of the design yesterday.  The top two circles are straight forward satin stitch worked over split stitch, and were really quick to work.  The next pale green was satin stitch but I decided to trellis over it as the stitches were quite long.  Then there is the big circle which brought slight frustrations.  Nikki originally suggested velvet stitch - not being a big fan of velvet stitch although it has its place - I decided to go for the French knot option.  The French knots looked too textured when everything around it looked fairly sleek, so I decided to just trellis over it, which I am fairly happy with.  The French knots however, are so solid - that my fingers and the working needle (which has been amazing after what I have put it through) are at breaking point.  Still -  the joys of decision making!

Satin stitch and detail . . .

satin stitch and some detail
left hand side show a little of the split stitch which the satin stitch is worked over

satin stitch and close detail

satin stitch and closer detail

Further work on Nicola Jarvis's crewel work design with the deadline now looming!  This time I have included more detail on the small red leaves with stem stitch and a blue vein. Satin stitch worked over split stitch, almost completing that section of the design using another autumnal colour.