A Quiz for the Needleworkers

Answer: Purplework

Whitework is white fibers worked on white fabric. Finished pieces are quite elegant. Blackwork is a very old craft, usually worked in black threads, but often worked in colors now. Redwork often has a country look and feel.

Purple lovers shouldn't feel slighted. I've seen blackwork done in royal purple and it was a stunning piece.

Answer: Hardanger

Hardanger, a Scandinavian needlework form, is anything but fragile. Despite its lace-like appearance, Hardanger is quite robust and some pieces have been in use for many generations.

Hardanger is a multiple step process. After selecting a pattern, Kloster blocks are formed by stitching the perimeter of geometric shapes roughly based on squares or triangles. When this step is completed, it will look like satin stitch done in odd numbered groups. The second step creates open areas inside the Kloster blocks. This step gives first time stitchers concern and worries. Selected threads are carefully snipped and removed from the inside of the shape. Finally, the remaining threads are the ground for creating more lace like effects such as Dove's Eyes, Spider Webs, Crosses.

And yes, cruelwork is a deliberate misspelling I wanted to make the pun and make the correct answer as clear as possible. I might have a crewel work question or two in my next quiz.

Answer: True

Goldwork is a form of needlework that uses gold and silver impregnated threads and wires. This is a stunning form of stitching. You might have seen it on church vestments.

Answer: All of these

Cutwork, drawn thread and stumpwork all involve cutting strands of fabric or actually cutting fabric away before or after stitching the fabric. For cutwork, you cut shapes in the fabric and then embroider around the resulting hole. Drawn thread involves cutting weft or warp threads and very carefully unweaving them to create an open framework for weaving like stitches.

In stumpwork, the completed stitching is carefully cut from the body of the base fabric. It is then added to other pieces to create a three dimensional finished piece.

Answer: All of these

Needlepoint is done with a wide variety of stitches on a open space canvas. Nearly any thing with regularly spaced holes will work. Some purists insist on Penelope canvas, but I have seen needlepoint creations on window screens.

Answer: Because of the time and effort involved.

Some hand painted needle point canvases retail in excess of a $100. While some might consider them a luxury item, they are works of art in their own right. It takes many hours and special paints to create each one.

Answer: Waste fabric

While waste fabric looks like a needlepoint canvas, it is not. It is loosely woven and you can easily pull each warp and weft thread right out, leaving your lovely work. Waste Fabric is used mostly with counted stitch work.

To use waste fabric, first, you tack it to your sweatshirt or blanket. Then follow your design or chart including back stitching. Make sure all your ends are very secure and start pulling threads from the waste fabric. The maker might have suggestions for you, so read the label. Most people I know that use waste fabric regularly have locking tweezers to help pull the threads. Also snipping waste thread that show in the pattern is helpful.

Answer: Local Needlework Shop

Of course the answer will involve needlework even if we all seem to like pasta. Acronyms and other short hand makes life easier for those of us who stitch and spend time at our computers in a virtual stitch and bitch! Another useful abbreviation is ONS or Online Needlework Store.

Answer: All of these

Actually, if you can put it through the eye of a needle, chances are someone has stitched with it. Cotton is the most common, silk threads are elegant and wool has a look all of its own. There are also rayon flosses, bamboo based fibers as well as chenille, metallic and things that look like Santa's Beard. Some people will use a loved ones hair in memorial samplers. Pet lovers consider their pet's hair an embellishment.

Answer: Rosey Grier

Grier did both needlepoint and macrame. He wrote "Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men" in 1973. I fondly remember him on Match Game and The Dick Cavett Show. BTW, the other choices are from his line, the Fearsome Foursome (Rams).