An embroidery book

by Anne Knox Arthur

Fig. 45.

Fig. 45 is commenced at the top or foot, where the X is marked. The braid is joined there under the curve; it is formed of one piece of braid, and can make a very good centre for a cushion, applied in a coloured braid, if sufficiently enlarged. It could have a decoration within the curves of conventional flowers, or, on the other hand, it might be enclosed by a narrow geometrical border. It could also be worked in chain, couching, or oriental stitches instead of braid.

Fig. 46.

Weaver’s Knot (Fig. 46).—The weaver’s knot, used by all weavers for the joining of warp threads—weft threads are worked with the weaving—is a well-known knot. It is illustrated in Fig. 46 and consists of two loops interlaced; when finished, one loop has the ends crossed while the other has the two lines lying parallel. It can be easily followed from the figure. A simple method of tying it is to take the end of the new joining thread and form it into a loop with the threads crossed; note that the short end is under and pointing to the left, and the long upper end is pointing to the right. Place this loop between the finger and the thumb of the left hand and hold it upright; take the end of the working thread in the right hand, and putting it from behind up through the loop, pass it round between the thumb and the first finger, under the short end of the new thread and over the long one, down into the upright loop again. Tighten the ends of both threads.

Fig. 47.

The Carrick Bend (Fig. 47).—This knot is simple and ornamental. It could be used quite successfully for embroidery and braiding. It is used by sailors for tying hawsers. To arrange the knot take one piece of narrow braid or cord and form it into a loop on the table; cross the ends—the under and shorter one points towards the worker; take the second cord in the right hand and pass it under the complete curve of the loop in a diagonal direction (see Fig. 47); passing then over the long and under the short end, enter into the loop and pass it under the diagonal line and out over the loop. This knot looks well—tighter or looser according to the width—when placed at intervals on a border and connected by lines of stitches.