Byzantine Options – Part 3 – Free Project

Today we finish up this stitch sampler. Part 1 was on TUesday, Part 2 was yesterday. Today we’ll stitch the last four blocks.

Block 5: Byzantine-Cashmere

This patch uses red Petite Very Velvet (Very Velvet) and Flair. Use single strands of all threads throughout.

This block is similar to Block 3 because the Byzantine rows are separated in order to fill in the open spaces with another stitch, Cashmere. In order to accommodate the rectangular shape of the filling there are different numbers of stitches in the vertical and horizontal legs of Byzantine. The vertical rows have five stitches, while the horizontal rows have four stitches. This is similar to Block 7, Uneven Step Byzantine.

Block 6: Tent Corner Byzantine

This patch uses Cinnabar Watercolours and metallic ribbon. Use one (two) strands of Watercolours throughout. The structure of this stitch has “corners of Tent Stitch” alternating with small areas, “corners” again, of Byzantine Stitch over three threads. It can be confusing at first because there are no continuous straight lines in the stitch.

Although this stitch’s relationship to Byzantine and Jacquard is not obvious, this is a Byzantine Stitch where in each row every few stitches become offset. In addition, the Tent Stitches fill in spaces created by the offset. This stitch variation was created by Jane Zimmerman.

Tent Corner Byzantine is stitched most easily with two needles. Begin by making the Tent Stitches, heavy lines, in metallic ribbon. Start somewhere along the left edge of the area. Follow these by making the five long stitches right below in Watercolours. Looking at the graph, stitch the next corner of Tent Stitches, followed by the long stitches.

Continue in this way until the first row is completed. Once the first row is done, the other rows fit into it.

Block 7: Uneven Step Byzantine

This patch uses Rainbow Tweed. Rainbow Tweed is a four-ply thread which is a blend of several fibers. It comes in both solid and variegated colors, and all the colors have a tweeded look, which is fantastic for adding texture. Use two ply on 18 mesh and three ply on 14 mesh.

The diagram is shown in two colors, making the rows easier to see, although the block is stitched in a single color.

While most variations on Byzantine have the same number of stitches in both steps, this version has four stitches in each vertical step and six stitches in each horizontal step. If you are creating your own version of Uneven Step Byzantine, the difference between the two steps should be at least two stitches, unless the zigzag rows are done to accommodate a rectangular filling as in Block 5..

When doing Uneven Step Byzantine, count each step carefully in the first row. Once the first row is established, follow it for the subsequent rows. The first row can be started anywhere along the left edge of the block.

Block 8: Irregular Byzantine

This patch uses Expressions and metallic ribbon. The lines of Byzantine go over 1, 2, 3 and 4 threads. All but the widest row are stitched using Expressions. The widest row is stitched using the metallic ribbon. Using the metallic ribbon will make this row look as if it is a solid piece of lame fabric and really shows off the shimmer of the thread. You can use the metallic for any row of this pattern, as long as it is used consistently. There are six stitches in each step.

When using metallic threads and longer stitches, you can create two distinct looks. Braids are round threads and will create a line of stitches where each stitch is distinct. Ribbon will lay flat against the canvas and will create a line where the stitches blend into each other, creating a look which is similar to a solid piece of metal. Because most colors of metallic braid are also available in ribbon, the two threads can be combined in the same piece to get different textures with the same color.

Use single strands of both the metallic ribbon and the Expressions in this block. Begin stitching this block in the upper left corner with the row over a single thread.

The project, along with next’s week’s stocking, is also available as a printed Project pack ($15.00 including US shipping) or as a PDF ($10.00). Contact me to order.