The second to last blue log uses a very unusual stitch, Point de Tresse. The name in French is literally translated as “hair embroidery” or “hair stitch.” That’s because this stitch looks like a fat braid of hair.
It’s one of those stitches that has lots of impact and is much easier than it looks. It seems as if the stitches on one side are woven under the stitches on the other side, but that isn’t true. Because you make sets of stitches, alternating sides, the woven look just appears. That makes Point de Tresse related to Herringbone Stitches of all kinds.
Point de Tresse makes an outstanding border, especially if you use corner blocks, and can be a high-impact accent stitch. It does not work well for backgrounds,
You can make this stitch with any number of stitches in each pass, this one has five.
Make this stitch in blocks of stitches, changing sides after each block. It can be tricky to start, see diagram below, but once it’s going, it isn’t hard at all.
One warning though, because of the length of the stitches and the lack of coverage on the back, this stitch does not wear well.
Follow the Series On-line!
- Introduction, materials and outlining
- Corner Block
- Genny’s Scotch
- Double Brick & Upright Milanese
- Scottish Checker
- Point de Tresse
- Giant Elongated Diagonal Cashmere
- Laidwork (Junipero)
- Montmartre Stitch
- Double Smnyrna Cross Block
- Ming Stitch
- Patterned Threes
- Diagonal Shingle
Come back next week for the next part of the sampler!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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