Editing Hardanger embroidery

{{Short description|Type of whitework embroidery from Norway}}
[[Image:Hardanger embroidery.png|thumb|right|269px|Example of modern Hardanger embroidery work]]
[[File:Hardangerembroidery1907.png|thumb|Hardanger embroidery sample, from a 1907 needlework magazine.]]

'''Hardanger embroidery''' or "Hardangersøm" is a form of [[embroidery]] traditionally worked with white thread on white [[even-weave]] linen or cloth, using [[counted-thread embroidery|counted thread]] and [[drawn thread work]] techniques. It is sometimes called [[whitework embroidery]].


Hardanger embroidery gets its name from the district of Hardanger in western Norway, where it was known simply as ''hvitsøm'' (whitework). Traditionally, this geometric embroidery and cutwork technique was worked in white linen thread on handwoven white linen fabric and used only as trim on garments.

==History==
In the period between 1650-1850 Hardangersom (meaning: ''work from Hardanger area'') flourished in Norway. [[Flax]] was grown, carded, spun and woven into white fabric and thread which was used to make and decorate traditional Norwegian costume items called [[bunad]]s (national costumes) as well as other items of clothing and household linens such as mats, curtains and bedspreads.

Hardanger is used on the bunad from the Hardanger region of Norway. It is usually found on the cuffs, collar and front yoke of the shirt, on the apron, and sometimes on a band around the pleated headdress.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stanton |first=Yvette |title=Early-Style Hardanger |publisher=Vetty Creations |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-9757677-7-1}}</ref>

==Materials and technique==

===Fabric===
Historically, Hardanger employed [[linen]] evenweave fabric of 36 count or higher. Modern Hardanger fabric is an evenweave cotton material woven with pairs of threads, typically 22 pairs per linear inch in both directions, referred to as '22-count'. The weave gives a squared appearance to the fabric (similar to [[Aida cloth]]), with distinct holes, making it easy to count and work on. There is no requirement to stitch on so-called Hardanger fabric: any evenweave linen, cotton or synthetic fabric of any count can be used.

===Threads===
Traditional Hardanger embroidery is worked with linen thread colour that matches the fabric, usually white or cream. Using self-coloured thread enhances both the sculptural nature of the stitches and the details in the intricate filling stitches.

Modern Hardanger can employ a large variety of threads. Two weights of Pearl (perlé) cotton are generally used. On 22-count Hardanger fabric this is usually Pearl cotton #5, a heavier weight used for satin stitch Kloster blocks and motifs, and Pearl cotton #8, a thinner thread used for more delicate filling stitches and other surface details. On finer, higher count fabrics the combination of #8 and #12 threads is often more suitable. Many contemporary designs, however, do make use of coloured, variegated and overdyed threads to great effect.

===Stitches and techniques===
Hardanger embroidery uses [[satin stitch]] blocks known as Kloster blocks, consisting of 5 parallel satin stitches, worked over a group of 4 x 4 ground threads. These blocks enclose areas of fabric where a number of [[Warp (weaving)|warp]] and [[weft]] threads are cut and withdrawn, leaving a network of loose threads and large holes within the shape defined by the Kloster blocks. Various decorative filling stitches are then worked over the remaining loose threads and holes to create a lacy effect.

Some of the stitches and special techniques used are:
* Simple satin stitch surface motifs, often resembling stars, ships, crescents and crosses.
* Other decorative surface stitches such as [[Featherstitch|fly stitch]], [[running stitch]], [[cable stitch]] and [[French knot]]s.
* Woven bars: weaving the needle over and under four threads until they are completely covered, and wrapped bars (overcast bars) where the thread is wound around groups of four threads.
* Filling stitches resembling wheels, spider's webs and dove's eyes.
* [[Picot]]: twisting the thread once round the needle before inserting the needle to produce a decorative loop.
* Edging stitches such as [[four-sided stitch]], [[buttonhole stitch]] and fancy [[hemstitch]]ing techniques for finishing items.

===Designs===
The traditional style of Hardanger work is very geometrical in form and based on several basic shapes such as squares, rectangles, triangles, diamonds, hearts, zig-zags and crosses. The combination and placement of these elements allow an unlimited number of beautiful patterns of all sizes to be created.

A wide range of patterns are available today for the modern needleworker to try, in both traditional and contemporary styles. Hardanger is still used to decorate cushions, table linen and other household items as well as items for display on a wall. Several modern [[needlework]] designers have incorporated elements of Hardanger cut work into their embroidery designs and [[Sampler (needlework)|samplers]], often combining them with other needlework techniques, stitches, speciality threads and other embellishments to great effect.

===New uses===

Some Lutheran pastors of Norwegian descent in the United States have had [[stole (vestment)|stole]]s embroidered with Hardanger work made for their use.  While altar paraments in Hardanger work have been traditional in Norwegian churches for a long time, their use in American Lutheran churches is becoming more common as an alternative to the more traditional machine-embroidered [[damask]] paraments.  Even the traditional alternating cross and chalice motif of Norwegian Hardanger work is now found in American Lutheran churches.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{No footnotes|date=October 2024}}
* ''The Anchor Book of Hardanger Embroidery'', compiled by Sue Whiting. David & Charles 1997. {{ISBN|0-7153-0633-2}}
* Hickmott, Mary, ''Easing Into Hardanger''. Creative Crafts Publishing 1996. {{ISBN|1-900758-01-6}}
* Stanton, Yvette, ''Elegant Hardanger Embroidery'', Vetty Creations 2005, {{ISBN|0-9757677-0-4}}
* Stanton, Yvette, ''Early Style Hardanger'', Vetty Creations 2016, {{ISBN|978-0-9757677-7-1}}
* Stanton, Yvette, ''Hardanger Filling Stitches'', Vetty Creations 2023, {{ISBN|978-0-6457610-0-9}}

==External links==
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* [http://www.caron-net.com/apr99files/apr99fea.html The History of Hardangersom] - more detail on the history of Hardanger work with photographic examples.
* [http://www.hardanger-stoll.com?page=home&language=us Vera Stoll Hardanger Design] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206040051/http://www.hardanger-stoll.com/?page=home&language=us |date=2010-12-06 }} - more information about Hardanger work and history with downloadable pdf-files.
* [http://www.nordicneedle.net/guides/stitching-techniques/hardanger-embroidery/ NordicNeedle.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312071328/http://www.nordicneedle.net/guides/stitching-techniques/hardanger-embroidery/ |date=2013-03-12 }} - In-depth Hardanger guides, stitch diagrams, and instructions for all skill levels.
* [http://www.mabelfigworthy.co.uk/hardanger.php Mabel Figworthy's Fancies] - Original Hardanger designs for all levels of skill, and kits especially for beginners.

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[[Category:Embroidery]]
[[Category:Textile arts of Norway]]