Close-ups on the Elephant Doorstop

Close Up - Spiral Trellis Stitch

Close Up - Spiral Trellis Stitch

I’ve been asked to provide a few close ups from the Elephant Doorstop, so here goes.

This close-up shows the spiral trellis stitch medallion on the Elephant’s ear. I love this stitch – it creates a lovely nubbly texture! It’s about three quarters of an inch across.

The silk perlé I am using was in ready cut lengths, shading from orange to brown, and when I brought a new thread in, I started with the colour I’d just finished, so that the colour sections would be slightly longer and denser.

Close Up - Two Sizes of Four Sided Stitch

Close Up - Two Sizes of Four Sided Stitch

When I thought about working four-sided stitch on the Elephant’s headcloth, I was originally intending to work some other pattern over the top, so the background grid would modify the fabric and the pattern on the top would be the most visible thing. However, I couldn’t decide what size would be best and worked one section in each size, and now I’ve decided I like it just as it is. It recalls the Trellis Couching on the saddlecloth, but at a different orientation.

11 Comments

  1. Janice says:

    The close-up photos are beautiful. The spiral trellis stitch is magnificent! Your mum (Excuse me – will just translate to Northern: Yer mam!) was right – the smaller scale photos have not been doing your work justice.

  2. Penny says:

    This is lovely — I really enjoyed seeing the close-up photo’s as they truly show the love and work you’re putting into this piece.

  3. I love these little details. I am very impressed with the spiral trellis!

  4. Elmsley Rose says:

    So lovely!

  5. Rachel–I often look at your blog and just swoon over the intricacy and deliberation of your
    oh-so-labor-intensive work. This particular post is really wonderful!!! How do you do it?!?!? Your intensity really impresses me. (I would be crying in a corner…(or looking for a tall bridge?) if I had to do this kind of teeny-tiny, perfect work!!) XXO-

  6. You will have to include close-ups all the time now these are just beautiful. I’m off to try that spiral trellis stitch.

  7. karen says:

    thanks so much for these close up pictures, they are so beautiful. I really, really love the spiral trellis stitch.

  8. Lady Fi says:

    OH, fabulous details! So lovely.

  9. Mats says:

    Nice closeups, thanks for sharing!

  10. coral-seas says:

    Your spiral trellis is so neat!

  11. Alex says:

    That spiral trellis is fabulous! Any chance of a tutorial or link to instructions?