Grandma’s Leftover Yarn

I have transformed a large amount of yarn scraps of different quality into an embroidered work: four panels, and a small tablecloth.

The panels are called: “Flowers”, “Pharmacy”, “Wood” and “Serotonin”. The tablecloth is called “Fragments”.

Each of the four panels measures approx. 118 x 32 cm. They can be used separately as a table runner. The tablecloth measures approx. 66 x 47 cm.

It is all made on linen canvas (8 threads per cm.), and is embroidered with two threads in the needle. Contour stitches are used throughout.

First, I divided the yarn scraps into four equal piles, sorted by size. The colors were also sorted.

It was fun to come up with a theme for each panel, and to stick to the pile of yarn scraps that each panel had been assigned.

The tablecloth stands out more clearly in the colors. There is only one shade for each motif. The panels have had all possible shades mixed together, and of large and small scraps. Then the colors mix, almost like when you paint.

Spring 1999

Withered leaves, snow and spring flowers on the rise.

Small embroidery, 29 x 29 cm. Made on 12 threaded linen canvas. Contour stitches, cross stitches and petit point have been used.

Orchid

Small table runner, approx. 25 x 50 cm.

Embroidered on 8 thread/cm linen canvas with flora-cotton and golden thread from DMC. Whole and half cross stitches have been used.

The background stripes are based on 338 decimals of pi.

Remains Runner

This table runner can be made with any DMC remains you have lying around. It is embroidered on linen canvas (8 threads/cm) with contour stitches.

Dimensions approx. 22 x 130 cm.

First, the canvas is divided into 2 x 12 fields with 3 threads as spaces.

Then, the threads are divided into yellow-green and blue-green shades.

Begin by making a random “path” using a golden thread. The path is made using contour stitches.

After this, the DMC remains are distributed in the 24 fields. Start with the yellow-green fields.

Blue Stripes

The runner is embroidered with contour stitches on 8 threaded linen canvas.

Three DMC threads are used in the needle. Small pieces of silver string are sprinkled throughout, and stapled with flora-cotton 136.

Approx. 12 yarn colors are used to form the stripes.

Finished dimensions: 130 x 29 cm.

Use the idea to inspire your own work!

Foliage

One of the fallen leaves of autumn. DMC Pearl Cotton and remnants of flora-cotton thread. Embroidered on 8 threaded linen canvas, finished size 30 x 30 cm. Contour stitches are used, with a single thread in the needle. The outline of the leaf is embroidered with three rows of the coarse DMC Pearl Cotton. The background is embroidered with 5 remnants of flora-cotton. Use whatever colors you like.

Fantasy Flowers

Flowers picked from two bouquets have been the starting point for this tablecloth’s fantasy flowers. Finished size 65 x 40 cm. Embroidered on 8 threaded linen canvas.

The flowers are drawn directly on the fabric, and the outline is embroidered with 2 threads in the needle. It is embroidered with flora-cotton from fru zippe.

The structure of the flowers emerges when embroidering with 1 thread in the needle with whole and half cross stitches. That is, each flower is embroidered with just one color.

Flower

With somewhat impaired, gray and colorless vision, I still got an embroidery put together. Drew an outline using a template with ballpoint pen directly on linen canvas (8 threads per. cm). Next, I could make a frame with cross stitches in double thread. I filled the frames with single thread cross stitches. My son helped me choose the colors of the yarn. He was good at interpreting my ideas and we got the right yarn numbers put together (thanks for the help!). So it became a “winter of embroidery” anyway 🙂

Pleated Oak

Some years ago, our old oak tree was felled. I saved a few small pieces. They now form a pattern on this small tablecloth. The pattern is made with full and half cross stitches, back stitches and contour stitches on linen canvas. Finished size is approx. 27 x 27 cm. I am very happy about the result!