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Dove's Eye in Hardanger
Marylee Klinkhammer
"Do you prefer your eyes wide open or slightly closed?" I overheard this at a stitching class I took a few weeks ago. An innocent question, it seemed to be about life in general, but it was actually referring to the popular filling stitch, Dove's Eyes, used in Hardanger. Dove's Eyes appear very delicate and are typically worked in a finer thread than that used for the blocks; in this case #12 perle coton was used. They are usually worked at the same time you are wrapping or weaving the bars, (after working the Klosters, and cutting and removing the threads), which offers a secure anchor for beginning and ending of the stitch.
The mechanics of the stitch are simple. You need either four Klosters to frame the cut-out hole or a combination of Klosters and woven bars. If working this stitch at the same time you are weaving bars, weave only half the final bar; then stop weaving in the middle of the bar, and bring the thread from under the middle of the bar to begin the Dove's Eye stitch. To form the first leg of the stitch, turn your ground fabric 90 degrees counter-clockwise and make the next stitch, from right to left, under the central thread of the next Kloster or woven bar. You will cross over the leg with your working thread. It is this weaving that creates the opening.
Be careful when pulling the thread; you want it to remain fairly loose, forming a soft loop.
Continue around the square, making the second and third legs of the stitch in the same way. To form the fourth leg of the stitch, pass your needle under the first leg and take it through the fabric to the back.
The amount of tension you apply throughout the process will decide whether your eyes are open slightly or wide. Each leg of the stitch should contribute to the balance of the whole. Continue weaving your bar until finished.
Voila! You have just opened your eyes to a new form of stitching!
Helpful Tips Check your stitch before continuing to weave the bar. Make sure each leg crosses or twists only once. It is easier to take them out and redo now, rather than later. Be careful when pulling your working thread to tighten the stitch; you don¹t want to pull the Klosters or bars out of proportion. |  |
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