Another purple bag…

I thought I rather fancied tackling plaited braid stitch again, using the same variegated thread as for the chain stitch fernery. However, when I gave it a go, it turned out to be a poor thread for the stitch – too floppy, and too easily pierced. It’s not obvious, but there’s a glitter thread running through it, which interferes with the cohesion of the strands. Oh well, I’ll find somewhere else for the plaited braid stitch!

After some thought, I had a go at Mountmellick Thorn stitch.

That’s better. And this one isn’t going to be an all-over pattern like the fernery. Instead,I’ve done two vaguely treelike shapes, back to back, with Hungarian Braided Chain (I’ll get a braid in there somewhere!) providing the ground level.

Then I felt that maybe it would be useful to work the same Mountmellick Thorn stitch but at different proportions, so that I have a comparison. That’s in progress.

I’m also trying to work out how to line and assemble them neatly. I’m intending to use my little hand cranked Jones sewing machine, but as I’ve managed to bruise a couple of ribs and interfere with picking up that sort of awkward and heavy weight, I’m a bit unwilling to promise a prompt finish here!