Monica Knits

This small needlepoint purse was embroidered by my mother-in-law and has different rose patterns on each side. This photograph was taken in front of the hydrangea they planted over 10 years ago. Some of the blooms are over a foot wide, and the plant is now tree sized. The purse is the perfect size for holding my sock knitting dpns.

You can almost smell the flowers while looking at this pair of embroidered birds, nestled on a branch of soft rose colored flowers. Designed by Michael Le Clair for Johnson Creative Arts, this kit worked up quickly in crewel embroidery. Read more .... for kit information.

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Three methods have now been demonstrated for creating a single row, horizontal braid or chain: knitted, crocheted and embroidered. The knitted and crocheted methods were used on the cotton hand towel. The knitted chain is contiguous with the work, whereas the crochet and embroidery methods are surface embellishment techniques applied after the knitted or crocheted fabric has been completed. Of the two add-on approaches, the crochet method is quicker than embroidery and has the advantage that it can be quickly "unzipped" by tugging on the end of the chain. Read more ... for related articles and instructions.

This method of creating surface embellishment is useful when you are going in directions off the true horizontal or vertical. For horizontal orientations both the crochet and knitted methods are faster. Like the crochet chain, the embroidered chain can be added after the knitting or crochet work is completed. It can also be used to embellish a purchased garment, accessory or other items like afghans, towels and cozies.

Read more ... for additional photos and instructions for the embroidered braid or chain stitch.