Bind the edges of the fabric to prevent them from fraying (see page).
Find the vertical center of the fabric and mark it with a line of running stitches in a brightly colored sewing thread (see page).
There is no need to mount the fabric in a hoop or frame.
GETTING STARTED
Most huck weaving patterns have quite obvious repeats and are worked in rows of stitches that start at the bottom and progress upwards. Center the design on the fabric using the marked center line. Always make sure that your thread will be long enough to work the whole pattern row, as it cannot be joined in the middle of a row.
Start the pattern in the center of the fabric, leaving a long length of thread, and work to the left-hand edge. Darn in the loose end. Return to the center point, repeat the design to the right-hand edge and darn in the end. Any stitches at the edges that do not fit into the pattern can simply be worked in running stitch.
How to make Huck Weaving stitches
Running Stitch
This is the most basic huck weaving stitch. It can be used to bridge the gaps between repeating motifs along a row or on the diagonal to create simple zigzag patterns. Simply pass the needle in a straight line under the vertical floats of the fabric threads.
Offset Loops
These can be used to create stepped geometric patterns. Pass the needle in a straight horizontal line under two floats. Make the next stitch in the same way, starting with the float directly above the previous one. Continue in the same way to work up and down a stepped zigzag pattern.
Open Loops
Open loops can be worked over any number of vertical and horizontal floats depending on the desired effect. For example, pass the needle in a straight horizontal line under two floats. Make the next stitch in the same way, starting four floats directly above the previous one. Make the next stitch on the same level as the first. Continue in the same way.
Honeycomb
Work open loops through just one float in a diagonal pattern to produce the small zigzags. Offset the stitches on subsequent rows to produce a simple honeycomb pattern.
Closed Loops
Closed loops, with one running stitch between each loop, make a very interesting simple border. Working from right to left, pass the needle through the float on the baseline. Then pass it through the desired float directly above from left to right. Finish the stitch by passing back through the base float from right to left and make a running stitch before starting the next loop.
Figure-Eight Stitch
As its name implies this stitch forms a tight figure-eight on the surface of the fabric. Work it in the same way as for closed loops, but pass the needle through the top float from right to left to create the cross.
Repeat motifs
Create simple repeat motifs by using a combination of closed loops or figure-eight stitch. Join the motifs with running stitch.
Individual motifs
For individual motifs, bring the thread to the right side in the center of the square adjacent to the first float. Work the motif and then take the thread back to the wrong side at the end. Darn the loose ends into the wrong side of the fabric.
Huck weaving sampler chart: enlarge on a photocopier for ease of working.
How to Stitch the Huck Weaving Sampler
Sweet and simple hearts in a variety of shapes and sizes give a Shaker-style charm to this little sampler. It is worked in four shades of blue, perfect for hanging in a country kitchen.
You will need
10 x 13 in (25 x 33 cm) white 14-count Aida fabric
DMC stranded embroidery floss, 1 skein of each of the following colors:
Dark blue (820)
Pale blue (809)
Sky blue (798)
Royal blue (797)
Tapestry needle
White sewing thread
Two pieces of ¼ in (5 mm) diameter dowel, 11 in (28 cm) long
½ yd (50 cm) length of ½ in (13 mm) blue gingham ribbon for hanging
Preparing the fabric
1 Bind the edges of the fabric and mark the vertical center line (page). There is no need to put the fabric in a frame or hoop.
Working the sampler
1 Use three strands of embroidery floss for the whole
