See this egg?
It’s the one on my face. And deservedly so.
A quick recap:
- I’m working a project on skew count linen – with a different number of threads in the warp and weft. – Confirmed, that’s a fact.
- If a design is worked on such a ground, it will be compressed – shorter in the direction that has the higher count, and stretched out in the direction that has the lower count. – Again confirmed. That’s also true.
- I counted my threads, and planned out a design that featured “padding” on to compensate for anticipated compression, so that the difference between the proportions of the strips going across the top of my work, and down the side of it would not be so evident. – Yup. I did that, and I like the extra wide knot strip that I doodled up to use there.
BUT
Major snafu. I did not properly record my count/measurements and reversed them, attributing the denser count to the wrong direction. Instead of the new strip ending up with squatter, flatter skeletons after I rounded the corner, close comparison shows the new bois to be leaner and lankier than the ones previously stitched. Even more embarrassing, I did not notice the problem until I had a fair bit worked up.
So it goes.
Obviously I have a good lesson-learned on this one to add to my roster of mistakes as teaching moments. And I’m not going to go back and rip anything out. (I may have a second lesson on finite stash supply vs. thread consumption rates to painfully experience, too.) So my piece stays as is, and I get to look like an idiot in front of everyone. While this isn’t going as planned, and I did make a giant mistake – it’s not totally fatal. I declare myself just a tiny bit sadder, but wiser, and will keep soldiering on.
You may point and laugh now.
String-Or-Nothing 
Still looks absolutely fabulous. I’m still ooooh-ing and ahhh-ing. Definitely not laughing! –Cindy
It is such a learning experience for not only you but us too..
You are experimental.. Small falls are part of a bigger rise..
I for one, have gained hope that uneven linens can be used for embroidery.
Ah yes. The finite stash. I am now waiting for an order of DMC to continue on my skeletons. This pattern has been great fun. Thank you.
I wouldn’t dare laugh at you.
Go right ahead. Being an object lesson for better planning is a noble cause for the greater good. 🙂
It looks like you did on purpose. Fat Skeles and Skinny Skeles, I love them.
Are you playing chicken with embroidery thread?
When playing chicken with embroidery thread or yarn:
Always play this game with your best string; preferably something hand dyed, or that is a one off, or you bought on vacation (somewhere remote is best). There’s no point playing it with stuff you can get more of on next day delivery, that’s just boring.
If you’ve done the calculations and it looks like you might run short, stitch faster. This is a guaranteed way to make sure you finish before the yarn runs out. (ha ha)
I thought I had another bunch of skeins of this particular thread stashed away. But when I went looking over the weekend I could not find them. I know I haven’t used them (and I have photographic proof that they existed.) So my fingers are crossed. If found – all is good. If not, I’ll have to improvise.
They look fabulous! And counted work on uneven fabric is very traditional. In my stash I have a Polish translation of a Czech book of counted work and I don’t think a single piece in it is on a truly square weave – and they still all look wonderful.
Working on my skeles and musing on the pattern this morning I realised that I was looking at the boats as well as the pomegranates and started wondering – where is the three headed dog?
This is really soothing to work on.
Seeding me with new ideas? Hmm… Cerberus. Has promise… 🙂