Ginger Ale

Here is another Hardanger piece that was completed this afternoon. It was worked with Perle Cotton thread on a 25 count Lugana fabric called "Fairy Dust", which is the palest of yellows.

One of the imponderables of fiber arts is DMC's choice not to make this thread in both sizes needed to complete a Hardanger embroidery piece. Almost all Hardanger uses both a size 5 and a size 8 (or 8 and 12) and Perle Cotton is the thread of choice. This one only comes in size 5. And while I am aware that this occassionally happens, of course, I didn't check for such a contingency before I started this time. And of course, I didn't discover the problem until I already had all of my satin and buttonhole stitching complete. Consequently, all of the open work and solid motifs are done with a variegated Silk'n Colors called "Mint Floss" which runs from almost white to a very pale mint green, which is difficult to see in the photo. Hence, the name "Ginger Ale"...with just a hint of lime. Naming embroidery is not my strong suite and I lean heavily toward food or ladies' names.

Finished size is 6 1/2 x 8". Total time 13 hours (or 5 Star Wars and one LoTR movies).

I'd like to note that I really do enjoy the DMC fibers and usually don't run into this kind of trouble. Happily, this time I was able to compensate and end up with a piece that I still like. And I learned my lesson for next time too.
I'd also like to put in a plug for Thread Gatherer fibers, and especially their Silk'n Colors. While not a traditional Hardanger thread, they are a feast for the eyes and positively delicious to work with. Maybe that's where the food names come from? Yumminess.