Winter Threadventure Week 5: Snowy Narvik

Well hello again! Our 2019 Winter Threadventure is speeding right along. We’re making our way into Norway this week where we’ll have fun playing in the snow! Hop aboard the Serendipity Express with me and let’s take our magical virtual vacation train to our fifth stop…

snowy Narvik. And here we are!!!

Narvik is one of the northernmost towns in the world. It lies on the shores of the Ofotfjord, an inlet of the Norwegian Sea. And even though it’s 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Narvik’s port is ice-free year-round, thanks to the North Atlantic Current.

Ironically, that same North Atlantic Current provides Narvik with a milder climate than you might expect for a place that sits on such a northerly latitude. But still, there’s a lot of snow!

The Scandinavian Mountains – the ones you see in that picture up there – are a country-long chain of peaks that is geologically continuous with the mountains of Scotland and Ireland in Europe. That same chain crosses the Atlantic Ocean and re-emerges in North America as the Appalachian Mountains. And Tuscaloosa is right at the base of the foothills of the Appalachians. Pretty cool, huh?

Those snow-covered mountains offer some of the finest skiing in the world.

Did you know that nearly one-third of Norway’s land mass is above the tree line? That means trees can’t grow there, so the landscape is pretty stark. Mostly, you’ll see snow-covered mountains and glaciers.

Today’s stitch, the Nobuko stitch, is a terrific option for snow.

It’s particularly effective for stitching smooth snow. Think new-fallen snow as you see in this canvas by Maggie and Co., “Night Snow Reflection”.

Freshly fallen snow doesn’t have much texture and the Nobuko stitch implies just enough movement to create subtle depth and dimension for gently rolling hills. You may also reverse the slant of your stitches to alter directionality.

Let’s take a look at the stitch diagram. You can see that the Nobuko stitch is a true diagonal stitch.

What does that mean? Great question!

A true diagonal stitch lies across the same number of vertical and horizontal canvas threads. The short tent stitch lies across one vertical and one horizontal canvas thread (i.e., intersection) and the longer diagonal stitch lies across three vertical and three horizontal canvas threads.

For example, when you bring your needle to the front of the canvas at number 3, you then count over to the right three vertical canvas threads and up 3 horizontal threads to arrive at number 4, which is where you take your needle to the back of the canvas to complete the stitch.

Make sense? Terrific! And remember, as long as you use the stitch diagram as your roadmap for where to place your needle, you’ll be golden!

The Nobuko stitch is a smallish stitch so it’ll work on a variety of canvases – from ornaments to pillows. It’s also a terrific background stitch.

I’m using two threads to work this stitch.

First, I’m using Neon Rays to work the long stitch in the Nobuko stitch. Neon Rays is making an encore appearance and you can click here to learn more about it.

And the other thread I’m using for the Nobuko stitch is Kreinik Tapestry Braid #12. It’s made of synthetic fiber that is tightly braided together by a machine to become a single strand of thread.

Kreinik Braids are metallic threads that you can use “as is” – straight off the spool. (Don’t separate them.) They add the beautiful shimmer of a real metal thread, but in a material that’s easier to use, less expensive, washable, and more readily available.

Kreinik Tapestry Braid #12 comes in 243 stunning colors. Each spool holds 10 meters/11 yards. (The 10M on the end of the spool indicates the quantity of thread on the spool.)

It’s not particularly prone to fraying, but you can certainly use a Thread Zap or Fray Check on the ends if you want. I’ve found that it helps to “tame” Kreinik braid by running it between my fingers about 10 times before I thread it into my needle. Oh – and be sure to use shorter pieces (no longer than 15″).

I’m using Kreinik Tapestry Braid #12 to work the short tent stitches in the Nobuko stitch.

Use one strand of Neon Rays (N102) in a #22 tapestry needle to execute the long stitch in the Nobuko pattern. And use one strand of Kreinik Tapestry Braid #12 (032) in a #22 tapestry needle for the short tent stitch to complete the Nobuko stitch pattern. Work your stitch sample on a piece of 18 mesh needlepoint canvas.

Use a laying tool to lay your thread smoothly on the surface of your canvas for the best effect.

Where will you use the Nobuko stitch?

Do you have a snowy canvas? Or will you use the Nobuko stitch for a background? It’s also a good option for sand, in case you’re working on a design with a summery theme – and dreaming of warmer weather.

Before you go, please tell me how you plan to use the Nobuko stitch on one of your canvases down there in the comments box.

Don’t be shy – I ❤️ hearing from you and I read every single note.

And since Valentine’s Day is next week, I think I’ll do a fun giveaway.

When you share your thoughts with me below, I’ll enter your name into the drawing for a Bella Lusso thread bouquet. (squeeee!!!)

Alrighty, that’s all for now.

Thanks ever so much for joining me here and…

until next time, happy stitching!

XOXO!!! ❤️

Ellen Johnson