Progress on the Nefertiti Shawl – the frame
Golden Border
The internal borders of the Nefertiti Shawl, outlining the various coloured blocks, turned out to be fairly easy, as they were part of the inspiration that struck me when I was laying out the pashmina to transfer a design to it. The threads are all silk, with a soft perle used for the chain stitch. The vertical internal borders ended up as two rows of chain stitch, which should define the coloured blocks nicely.
The horizontal border consisted of two rows of chain stitch, in the same variegated silk thread, bordering a single row of cable chain stitch in a much shinier silk thread, which turned out to have a mind of its own. It kept trying to tie itself in knots, it twisted into snarls, and it unwrapped itself when I tried to finish off ends. But it looks lovely!
Wavy Chain Row
My design ideas put two lines of gold on either side of the coloured blocks that I’ve taken from Nefertiti’s crown. I didn’t want to do them the same, so I decided to make the rows nearest to the coloured blocks slightly wider. Then I had a wonderful rummage in my books of stitches and chose to take the opportunity, since the rows are straight, to use the Wavy Chain Stitch I found when I was doing the Circle Skirt and couldn’t get to curve. It works beautifully on the straight!
Shell Chain Row
The outer lines, I decided should be narrower. Shell Chain Stitch seemed to fit the bill perfectly. It belongs to the same family – chain stitch – but produces a light, almost textured effect.
Having made all my decisions, it became a matter of sitting quietly, doing miles of chain stitch variations. The coloured panels will follow later…
The threads you’ve chosen are lovely on the blue! Stitch faster. I want to see how it all turns out.
I love that wavy chain row!
Love the wavy chain stitch. I will have to save that one.
I like the look of wavy chain. Is it one chain two blanket stitches each way? Like the threads too. Are these from Stef Francis?
Beautiful!! I love it that you vary the stitches — giving such a textured look and also introducing us to some we might never had heard of before. You’re a jewel!!
I love the wavy chain with the variegated thread, just lovely. Where did you find the stitch instructions?
Such lovely details!
Such pretty stitching and threads. Did you try Thread Heaven with your unruly perle? xx
Yes, me too, I love the wavy chain!!
Your stitching is beautiful!
Chain stitch and it’s many variations, are great to stitch. It looks great.
Some great stitch selections – I particularly like the wavy chain and also the effect of the combined chain and cable.
miles of chain stitch variations….that sounds like a wonderful way to spend time.
I love that thread in those colors. The wavy chain stitch also intrigues me. I will have to try that one, too!