Free Hardanger Tutorial
Written and Designed by Janet M. Davies 

Hardanger embroidery is also know as Hardanger or Whitework. It was traditionally stitched on white fabric with white thread. An even weave fabric is need as the design is stitched from a geometric graph. Groups of Satin stitch make what is known as Kloster Block. Certain edges of the Kloster blocks can be trimmed along and fabric threads removed and the remaining woven or whipped; to give an open look to the design. Buttonhole stitched edging is a common way of finishing mats and table cloths.

Hardanger is a wonderful style of embroidery which can be done in so many ways with the exploration of fabric, thread, beads etc. You can do the more traditional look or include as much colour or techniques you like…. After all you are in charge of the needle.

I have enjoyed adding the turned under edge with the addition of beads. Also adding a Counted Thread stitching known as Blackwork. I have added more colours to the usually single coloured Blackwork design. 

Rainbow Galaxy
Finished size on 25 count even weave fabric: 42cms (17 inches) Anchor Variegated Pearl cottons along with strand cotton have been used in the combination of Hardanger and Blackwork counted thread stitching. Beads are sewn in the intersections of Kloster blocks to bring the Rainbow Galaxy alive. The edges of the design are hand sewn underneath the outer border of Kloster blocks to give a straight finish. Click here to purchase this individual design

Peaches in Pink
Here you can learn the step by step of the lacy edge sometimes done on Hardanger mats. Blackwork stitching is done to make lovely pink daises and tendrils. Beads are sewn in the intersections of kloster blocks to bring the design alive. Click here to purchase this individual design with step by step instructions for the lacy edging

Snowy Owl
I am told that Snowy Owl birds have light brown patches for the first two years. I have used Anchor Multi Pearl thread with marble shades to reflect that. This little guy with pure white snow-flakes fluttering around him as he sits on a branch with leaves.  The design size of the above design shown in the photo on 25 count fabric is 13cm (5 inches) square. Click here to purchase this individual design

Rainbow Garden
This Hardanger design has glass beads sewn inside the border of the kloster blocks. Also beads are sewn at the intersection of the open woven centre. Delicate flowers dance around the kloster blocks. All background stitching is counted thread. Design size for design in the photograph on #25 even weave fabric is 16.5 cm (6 1/2 inches) square. Click here to purchase this individual design

Celtic Summer
In this Hardanger Celtic entwined design I have used Anchor Variegated Multi Pearl thread with green and yellow shades to reflect summer. It is stitched on a pale yellow even weave linen fabric. There are stitched suspended beads in open areas. Green Eyelets are stitched in the intersections of Kloster blocks to bring the design alive. The size of the above design shown in the photo on 28 count fabric is 27cm (10 1/2 inches) square. Click here to purchase this individual design

Ocean Lace
Above shows the Hardanger Lacy edge sometimes done on Hardanger mats; also shown is the suspended beads in open areas. Beads are also sewn in the intersections of Kloster blocks to bring the design alive. Click here to purchase this individual design with step by step instructions for the lacy edging

This was made for my cousin Robyn. This Hardanger mat measures 12 cms when finished, when stitched on 25 count even weave fabric. I used Anchor Pearl 5 multi coloured cotton for the kloster blocks. Pearl 12 for the lacy edging. I used stranded cotton for inside Blackwork stitching. The beads were small bugle sized.

 

Finished size on 32count even weave linen fabric: 15cms (6 inches).
There are nine different filling stitches.

This hardanger mat measures 12 x14 cms when finished, when stitched on 25 count even weave fabric. I used Anchor Pearl 5 multi coloured cotton, colour # 1345. I used one strand of stranded cotton for sewing on the beads. Use a stranded cotton colour to complement the colour of your beads. The beads were seed sized. I used a pale blue fabric.

Finished size on 25 count even weave fabric 8cms (3 inches)

Finished size on 25 count even weave fabric: 20cms (8 inches) long. 

Finished size on 28 count even weave fabric 8cms (3 inches)

Finished size on 25 count even weave fabric 10cms (4 inches). Blackwork counted thread stitching has also been used.

Finished size on 25 count even weave fabric 8cms (3 inches). Blackwork counted thread stitching has also been used.

 

 Blackwork counted thread stitching have been used among beads.

Beads and metallic thread have been used in this hardanger design.

 The beads were seed sized. The edges of the design are hand sewn underneath the outer border of Kloster blocks to give a straight finish.

This Hardanger mat has lime green glass beads sewn inside the kloster blocks and woven in the cut open areas. All bars were wrapped not woven. I used a simple Blackwork motif also. The edge of the fabric has been turned under the outer rows of kloster blocks and stitched down.The design size on 25 count cotton fabric and is 23 cm ( 9 inches)

Hardanger, where I let my muse run wild with the stitches. Finished size on 32count even weave linen fabric was 30 x 18 cm (12 x 7 inches)

A variation of 'Peaches in Pink' shown above.

Cross Stitched has been used around the edges of the inner Hardanger design.