Blackwork Pikachu WIP

[Kareesh]

Okay, so I've never done/heard of blackwork before this, so forgive me for my ignorance, but are they like backstitching kind of sort of? If not, how are they different?

[faewren]

There are a couple different kinds of blackwork. The first, and possibly the oldest, is reversible blackwork. This involved really linear designs, some rather simplistic in nature. It also involved a sort of skip stitch technique that I have yet to master. Luckily for anyone who wants to make my designs - this is not that sort of blackwork.

This blackwork is non-reversible due to the cross stitch nature, and therefore can be made using back stitch and straight stitch techniques. So you can work on it however you like. The only tip I will give you though is to keep criss-crossing on the back to a minimum. There are a lot of empty spaces so any dark colors on light fabric or light colors on dark fabric will show through.

I hope that helps. I just did an article on it on my blog so all the stuff I have crammed into my head lately still sounds rather pompous when exiting my head. So I'm sorry if that is a long winded answer to your question.

The short answer is - Yes, you can use back stitch and straight stitch to do the pattern. Keep extra thread in the back to a minimum.

[Kareesh]

Cool. And after I asked, I read your blog, but it wasn't quite answer the question as to "How?", but it was very informative.

Perhaps I'll have to add these Pokemon to my ever-growing list of cross-stitches to do. Just wish there were more hours in the day for doing fun "work" like this.

[faewren]

Well I'm glad it's on the list anyway. Nice thing though - you can actually do the pattern in one day. I started at 10am this morning my time, and have worked on it off and on during the day and I'm almost done. I have kids so doing it constantly is not an option. But I've worked on it for oh - 3 hours or so. I'm guesstimating it is going to take 5 hours to finish.

^_^ Let me see it if you ever decide to make it. I'd love to see how it looks done by someone else.

[faewren]

[The extension bmp has been deactivated and can no longer be displayed.]

And done! All in all it took about 5 hours for me to complete it. Probably would have taken less if I hadn't been for me correcting a couple of stitches in the pattern as I went. But yeah - now off to get it pressed, matted and framed.

[corbin]

Pikachu looks great but I think Squirtle will be even better ^_^ totally adding squirtle to my to do list he should be a nice break from my bigger projects

[EveningEmma]

I like it!

Both Pikachu and Squirtle are definitely going into my folder of patterns I want to do someday!

[Huskyteer]

Oh, cool! Can't wait to see Pikachu all filled in!

[gatchacaz]

You're getting the hang of the blackwork hun, looks really cool! Can't wait to see these finished!!!

[LilliumRyn]

Perhaps I'll have to add these Pokemon to my ever-growing list of cross-stitches to do. Just wish there were more hours in the day for doing fun "work" like this.

haa haa, i completely agree with you there!! i may be a begginer but i'm learning fast and i wouldn't mind doing one of these too, if only there was enough time to do everything i wanna do at once! lol