It’s a sunny day in the country! In this step we add a decorative sun in the sky using 2 basic hand embroidery stitches- the Blanket Stitch and the French Knot.

Our sunny thread colors also repeat the same colors used in other parts of the stitchery to lend balance to the design.

Please note that directions are added to the Home in the Country Stitch-Along page after they are first posted here on the Artfabrik blog.

Step #9- Stitch the Sun

• Stitch Blanket Stitches with the points facing out and following the running stitches that mark the sun shape.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Sunrise) and a size 3 hand embroidery needle.
• Stitch to within 1/4″ of the fabric edges
• Remove the running stitches.

• Stitch a row of Blanket Stitches following the curve of the first row of Blanket Stitches so the tines of the stitches touch the previous row. Use that same thread.
• Continue to add rows of Blanket Stitches with the tines of the Blanket Stitches touching the previous rows of Blanket Stitches to make rows of box shapes.

• Stitch a French Knot inside each box made by the Blanket Stitches on the sun.
• Alternate the threads colors used for each row. Use size 8 pearl cotton threads (like Aquamarine and Sunrise).

Now that you’ve conquered the troublesome French knot, we move on to the loopy Lazy Daisy stitch. And just like the French Knot, we’ll be making a plethora of these stitches. This time we are creating the leaves on our Home in the Country treetop.

Please note that directions are added to the Home in the Country Stitch-Along page after they are first posted here on the Artfabrik blog.

Step #8- Stitch the Treetop

• Stitch Lazy Daisy Stitches around the tree trunk to form an outline for the treetop. Make soft curves and dips to suggest the outer edge of leaves surrounding the tree trunk.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton variegated thread (like Lime Frappe) and a size 3 hand embroidery needle.

• Stitch the Lazy Daisy stitches across the interior of the treetop outline.
• Place the stitches closely together and at random angles.

• Fill in the entire treetop shape with Lazy Daisy stitches.

Ready to make a lot of French knots?

French knots elevate off the fabric like tiny beads. And when you stitch them closely together and use a variegated thread like Asters, you can make a carpet of color.

In this step, we’ll first define the furrow lines in the center field using a whip stitch and then fill in the field with French knots.

Please note that directions are added to the Home in the Country Stitch-Along page as we go. They are first posted here on the Artfabrik blog. You can join at any time.

Step #7- Fill in the Center Field

• Whip Stitch a thread around each line of chain stitches that make the furrow lines on the center field.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton (like Butter) and a size 3 hand embroidery needle.

• Stitch French Knots closely together inside each furrow on the field.
• Use a size 8 pearl cotton thread (like Asters).
• Stitch to within 1/4″ of the edges of the fabric.