Yes, I did go back and tease out ALL of the stitching seen in my last post. I was not happy with the discontinued DMC linen I was using. Single strand it was (mostly) too thin for this 26.6 tpi linen ground. Doubled, the slubby nature of the thread – especially where two thick sections ended up side by side – made what should be smooth lines very haphazard in appearance.
Not being near home base with my stash to hand, nor near any useful retail outfits or access to reliable one-day delivery where I am, I had to rely on what was already in my stitching box. Back to the black Sulky 30. In this case, on the very coarse ground, two strands work nicely. I teamed the black up with a strong golden yellow (DMC 3820), also worked as two strands.
The yellow is not dark enough to be distinctive on its own for the linear elements, but as fill and voiding, it is effective. So I’m playing with it as accent rather than as a full-fledged “partner color” as done with the two colors on Stone by Stone and Ferthan, Fuur, Fustovv.
The sharp eyed will note a major error on my part, that I will go back and fix the hard way. Look at the right side of the piece. The chain elements end there two units further along in the repeat than they do along the left edge of the stitching. Because the squirrels are not a symmetrical repeat, I did not notice that my centerline was off until I did the second strip. I will go back later and fudge those two left side units in the shorted strips so that everything is nice and even.
And if I hadn’t confessed this sin here, I bet you would never have noticed.
The squirrels and the double chain are both slated for inclusion in Ensamplario Atlantio Volume III. Both are my own designs. The chain will include variants like corners, a centered yoke treatment, so that it can be easily stitched up as embellishment on cuffs and collars for shirts and chemises.
I haven’t decided yet to include the current strip in EnsAtl III, or to hold it in reserve for The Third Carolingian Modelbook (also in production, but not as far along). The reason is that it is a redaction rather than an original. I have a clean point source for it, although it’s late (1697). More on the design as the stitching develops and I figure out how to bling it up with yellow accents.
As to the size of this piece, it’s narrow, but long. You can see how much real estate I have to cover:
I do have a few very tall strips to include on this one. And another Enigmatic Saying in an Unearthly Language. Stay tuned!
String-Or-Nothing 
I love the acorns with the varmints. Really looks special with the yellow. I’m stuck as well. Amazon takes a week to deliver here. On a lark we went by the local thrift store, they had a few skeins of thread.
It’s a shame that you had to remove your stitches. I haven’t used the DMC linen, but I have noticed a change in the DMC embroidery floss. It is now very skinny. I don’t know why DMC felt the need to change their reliable product. If it is a matter of cost, leave the product as it was and charge a tiny bit more. Also, the Splendor 100% silk has also become very thin. Your project is great so far. I am looking forward to the finished piece. How many hours do you stitch per day?
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That golden yellow looks wonderful! And the linen thread sounds awful. What else could it be used for? Is it strong enough to sew on buttons?
I don’t think so. It’s too softly spun. It also frays when forced through a too-small hole. That would limit its utility in surface embroidery on a closely woven ground. And the soft twist would play havoc with needle lace. I don’t have experience with other laces, but I think that the styles in my skill set that this thread would work with would be pattern darning on a coarser ground, and possibly braiding or lucet work.