Challenge No 11: Hardanger (plus Simnel Cake)

[smallhobbit]

My final craft challenge was also set by hardboiledbaby  .  This was to do some Hardanger.  Not a craft I'd ever heard of, but I read up a bit and got myself a kit:



And began quite enthusiastically:



But then the enthusiasm waned for a couple of weeks.  And I got quite concerned that I was going off sewing, which would be sad as I've bought another cross stitch kit.  But then I realised it wasn't sewing as such, but this particular form I wasn't so keen on.  As you can see from the kit, it's very precise, and although I can manage that for cross-stitch, it just doesn't appeal here.  There were mistakes, which I didn't want to go back and correct.  But I didn't want to give up, so I decided to do my own design.  A similar thing happened when I was working on my autumn sewing craft, where I deviated from the original pattern.  After which my enthusiasm returned:



For this to be proper hardanger, the material in the middle of the squares needs to be cut away, but I am not convinced, because of the mistakes I've made it would work.  So I won't try it.  But, as a piece of embroidery, it's quite pretty.



It should be finished in another week.
I have also made Easter (Simnel) cakes for the family - a long standing tradition:

Comments

[mafief]

First time I’ve heard of hardanger and Simnel cakes. Now I’ve learned two more things today.

The cakes look great. Those fluff chicks are adorable. Are you using a family recipe?

[smallhobbit]

As I said hardanger was new to me too.

Simnel cakes have marzipan in the middle as well as on top. Traditionally they are decorated with small balls of marzipan, but we prefer mini eggs and fluffy chicks. I took the recipe from a magazine very many years ago and have made it nearly every year since.

[nagi_schwarz]

That Hardanger looks amazing! And those cakes look delicious.

[smallhobbit]

Hardanger is an interesting craft - and probably even more rewarding when done correctly. And thank you for your compliment about the cakes.

[sanguinity]

So that's what that kind of cutwork is called! It always struck me as fascinating, even if dauntingly fiddly to execute.

Even without the cutting, it's very handsome!

[smallhobbit]

Definitely fiddly to get right. And thank you :)

[dariaw]

Cool things to learn about!

[smallhobbit]

Indeed. Thank you!

[castiron]

Yes, the inside edges of the blocks need to be over the same thread to really keep things stable when cut, so keeping it as an embroidery piece is a good idea; it looks fine.

It's been twenty years since I did any Hardanger; one of these years I'll have to take it up again.

[smallhobbit]

I think some of them would have worked, but I wasn't going to risk it. And thank you.

When you have the time I'm sure you'd enjoy doing Hardanger again - I'm enjoying taking up craft after so many years.

[alisanne]

The hardanger is lovely! *impressed* I've never heard of it either.

Mmm, cake. The fluffy chicks are adorable! <3

[smallhobbit]

Thank you!

I'm glad you like them :)

[solosundance]

Nope, never heard of 'hardanger' either! I rather like it though. It's sort of soothing to look at, although it sounds as if it might not always be soothing to do.

[smallhobbit]

It looks very effective - if done right. But I found it very easy to make mistakes, so not particularly relaxing for me.

[margaret_r]

I've never heard of hardanger, although now that I've seen your examples it's nice to know what it is!

The Simnel cake looks great, love the little chicks:)

[smallhobbit]

It's one of those things we've probably seen, but never known the name of.

Thank you - I do enjoy doing a non-traditional decoration.

[moth2fic]

My grandmother did some hardanger work but I was never very taken with it. Well done for trying!

The cakes look delicious!

Happy Easter!

[smallhobbit]

I won't be doing any more, but it was interesting to try.

Thank you - I am happy to report they taste good too ;)