HARDANGER EMBROIDERY
BY DR. C. D. JAYAWEERA BANDARA
Hardanger Embroidery is a beautiful Norwegian embroidery that has counted thread and cutwork. That means that the stitches are made by counting the threads and making them in regular, even sizes on the fabric, and some of the background fabric is cut away.
Hardanger is a traditional district in the western part of Norway.
Hardanger embroidery is a form of embroidery traditionally worked with white thread on white even-weave linen or cloth.
Techniques include satin stitches and woven bars, leading to cutwork.
Two primary methods are used: drawn-thread work and counted-thread work.
Drawn- thread work removes threads to form patterns, while counted- thread work stitches over specific threads.
The Kloster stitch, made of satin stitches is essential for creating safe cutwork designs.
Tapestry needle is used. (Tip is slightly blunt)
Hardanger fabrics :-
These fabrics can be treated like Aida as they have two threads horizontally and vertically, giving a blocked appearance.
Modern Hardanger fabric is an evenweave cotton
material woven with pairs of threads, typically 22pairs of threads, typically
22pairs per linear inch in both directions, referred to as 22-count.
HARDANGER EMBROIDERY OF A TABLE MAT
Hardanger Fabric (seen below )
12-inch diameter circular frame
Tapestry needle ( Tip slightly blunt )
Fine scissors
Threads.
                                  PHOTO 1                                                PHOTO 2
Above PHOTO 2 shows the Margin sewn with thicker white thread (1st stage)
   
               
PHOTO 3 2nd stage PHOTO 4 3rd stage
 
The 
2nd stage and the 3rd stages were done with
thinner white thread.
PHOTO 5
Inside each coloured block seen in the above PHOTO 5.
‘EYELETS’ were done with lighter shades of green and pink threads as shown in this PHOTO 6 below.
PHOTO 6
                                              
PHOTO 7
3rd motif shows weaving done.
4th motif shows green, dark pink and white threads used in a particular design.
PHOTO 8
This shows the completed design in the 4 motifs above with green, dark pink and white threads.
PHOTO 9
The 2nd motif shows the diamond-shaped area was cut in certain areas and threads removed. Note that the remaining threads are always 4 in number.
The 3rd,4th and 5th motifs show ‘LOOPING PICOTS’ done.
PHOTO 10
This shows ‘LOOPING PICOTS’ done in all 5 motifs.
PHOTO 11
Completed table mat seen above.
PHOTO 12
This enlarged view is shown to appreciate the way the stitches were done and also to view the areas where the fabric was cut
Hardanger Embroidery is difficult to do. It needs a lot of concentration, patience, and it is time-consuming. It is very important to count the sewing threads always 5 and fabric threads always 4. If it is not done correctly, the fabric cannot be cut properly, and the threads cannot be removed. It is important to check the above regularly and unpick if there is a mistake, like doing cross stitching.
I have completed 2 tablemats and I hope to
do 6 more. 
 


