When you think of humbugs, what comes to mind? Sweets I should imagine!
Recently, I came across a different kind of humbug...a cross-stitch version!
I have become hooked on biscornus and whilst I was browsing one of my favourite stitchy sites, I came across humbugs. They're worked in exactly the same was as a biscornu, but if stitched up correctly, they look like humbug sweets!
Always keen to learn new stitchy skills, I was keen to have a go at making one, and I found guide that showed how to make them up.
In a month or so, I will need to start planning my festive stitching and I think biscornu's and humbugs would make nice festive ornaments and gifts, but thinking up patterns that work well was a little fiddly to start with. With the humbug, I tried to make a 3D model out of paper, but the design didn't work, so I made up a working model using some scrap aida and thread.
This is the end result:
I think I may have slightly overstuffed it, but you get the idea of what it will look like.
With that done, I could see how it was going to look, so I started experimenting with patterns from my exiting library, and this is what I settled for:
The design is only 40 stitches by 20 stitches and when it was stitched up, each side is no more than an inch and a half wide:
It's small size meant that it was quite fiddly to stitch up!
In terms of Christmas ornaments, this may be a bit on the small side, but it's a great working model for future projects. That said, the finished size of this design would make a great keyring or mobile charm!
If you want to have a go yourself, here is the pattern:
All the cross-stitch (*) is worked using 2 strands of DMC colour variations 4130. The backstitch border (-----) is worked in two strands of white thread. The humbug is put together using "whip-stitch" in the same way as a biscornu -- use the same colour as for the backstitching. Remember when whip-stitching that the needle must go under the backstitches only! DO NOT go through the fabric!!!
You can download the "how-to" guides for both biscornu's and humbugs from Creative Poppy -- just click on the "Stitcher Resources" tab!
Well that's all for today!
Till next time ... keep Kalm and cross-stitch!!
