Project Previews for Embroidery on Knits
Embroidery on Knits by Judit Gummlich is an in-depth guide to contemporary stitching with and on wool, explaining every step of the process. The book includes 18 nature-inspired templates, generously complimented by insightful tips and ideas on how to use them.
Tussie-Mussie
Nosegays (small posies of flowers) were sent and received at a time when burgeoning romances and other matches were made under the watchful eyes of family and community, so finding alternate ways to say “yes”, “no”, “never” or “right now” were a plus when you couldn’t swipe right (or left). Skip forward a couple of hundred years and your embroidered flowers communicate not only that you know how to wield a needle and thread, but many other meanings too.
Knitting pattern: Hippity Hoppity Hat by Isabell Kraemer.
Knitted in: Rosa Pomar Mondim in 302.
Embroidered in: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK in Olivia, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Mica and Sandnes Garn Sisu in 4012.
Trees
These four different, happy trees are made up of a playful collection of stitches and shapes. They grew from Judit’s imagination, inspired by slightly psychedelic children’s book illustrations of the 1970s and the joyous woodland embroidery of MiW Morita.
Knitting pattern: Sailor Pullover by Isabell Kraemer.
Knitted in (held together): G-uld New Zealandsk Lammeuld in Co1 g2 and
Holst Supersoft in Plum.
Embroidered in: Vintage tapestry wool.
Rye
Since Judit was a child she has spent a part of every summer amongst the golden rye fields of coastal North Jutland in Denmark where the wind creates waves through the ripe, heavy ears of grass as much as the ocean close by.
Knitting pattern: Elisabeth by Camilla Vad.
Knitted in (held together): G-uld New Zealandsk Lammeuld in NZlg1 and Isager Alpaca 1 in Forest.
Embroidered in: Ito Serishin in 103 Mustard.
Ode to Autumn
Judit’s own embroidery-on-knitting adventures would never have blossomed were it not for the “woolly tattoos” of Autumn Coe Song (the artist formerly known as dottie angel). This template is Judit’s ode to her; a reference to the stylized chrysanthemums that adorn so much of her work and have become one of her trademarks with small flowers nestled between. Judit would like to take a bow to her kindness, her talent and her style.
Knitting pattern for cardigan: Kuru by Jonna Hietala.
Knitted in (held together): Isager Jensen and Isager Alpaca 1 in Sky.
Embroidered in: John Arbon Textiles Viola in Unpredictable.
Knitting pattern for sweater: Lova by Rebekka Mauser.
Knitted in: Tukuwool Sock in H28 Ujo.
Embroidered in: Monahan hand-dyed ribbon in Bubblegum. Sock yarn (hand-dyed by myself). Silk ribbon 7mm and 10mm.
Knitting pattern for shawl: Improvised triangular shawl with tassel.
Yarn used and embroidered in: John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers 4ply in KBN119.
Moths and Beetles
The German-born Maria Sybilla Merian was a trailblazer of scientific illustration and entomological research, publishing her first book in 1675. She often painted directly from nature, cataloguing all manner of insects with a special interest in their habitat and metamorphoses. These embroidered insects are inspired by her work.
Knitting pattern: Marsa Alam by Isabell Kraemer.
Knitted in: Finkhof Merinowolle dünn in Dunkelbraun.
Embroidered in: Various single-ply fingering yarn, sock yarn, vintage tapestry wool, metallic thread, silk thread for antennae, 4–7mm beads for eyes and body, all from personal stash.
Mimosa
While spring is a growing murmur, the evergreen wattle, aka mimosa tree, explodes with bright yellow clusters of the softest little pompom blooms projecting up into the sky. You might smell their sweet scent before you see them.
Knitting pattern: Iben by Camilla Vad.
Knitted in (held together): Isager Highland Wool in Sky and Sandnes Garn Silk Mohair in 7572 Petroleum.
Embroidered in: G-uld Broderigarn in Støvet Mint, Lys Beige and Lys Kølig Gul.
Millepora
The Millepora alcicornis, also known as sea ginger, is a branching fire coral. As beautiful as it is tricky; it will sting the unwary diver who comes too close in a manner akin to its relative, the jellyfish. Celebrate it in the safety of its embroidered form, while perhaps channelling its self-protective qualities.
Knitting pattern: Kuru by Jonna Hietala.
Knitted in: Quince and Co. Owl Tweet in 369 Russet.
Embroidered in: John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers 4ply in KNB17.
Higuchi-san
These pleasingly simple flowers have a graphic, mid-century modern quality to them. They are an ode to Yumiko Higuchi, the queen of contemporary Japanese embroidery.
Knitting pattern: Iben Junior by Camilla Vad (pattern modified to include a sewn hem and remove neck ribbing).
Knitted in: Rosa Pomar Beiroa in 409.
Embroidered in: Rosa Pomar Beiroa in 673.
Floral Crest
While some embroidery lends itself to being applied as you would a brooch, this one takes the place of a necklace to ‘dangle’, centred, below your clavicles on a favourite sweater. Or maybe there’s an inherited jumper in your wardrobe that you were always a bit bored with but didn't want to give away?
Knitting pattern: Trescao by Along avec Anna.
Knitted in: John Arbon Textiles Viola in Unpredictable.
Embroidered with: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Dubrovnik, Filcolana Arwetta Classic in 198 Tangerine and Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Pink Clay.
Flieder
In late spring the plump, waxy blooms of the Syringa vulgaris, common lilac, hang all too briefly amongst bright green, tear-shaped leaves, emitting an intoxicating smell. “Flieder” is German for common lilac.
Knitting pattern: Basic Top Down Raglan Adult from The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters by Ann Budd, Interweave, 2012.
Knitted in: Finkhof Merinowolle Dünn in Dunkelbraun.
Embroidered in: Teinture Sauvage embroidery wool thread in various unnamed colourways.
Fireworks
Beaded cardigans were a glorious, decadent staple of 1950s North American fashion when sweater girls rocked the boat of what was considered appropriate attire for respectable women. These explosions are Judit’s nod to those glittering gals who helped inspire later generations to celebrate their bodies on their own terms, but also to the infinitely skilled craftswomen who meticulously stitched on those beads, mainly in Hong Kong.
Knitting pattern: Don’t Ask by Isabell Kraemer.
Knitted in: De Rerum Natura Gilliatt in Granit.
Embroidered in: Knudegarn 2-trådet in Lysgrå.
Fern
In spring, ferns unfurl like the fresh green scrolls of violins. In autumn, their feathery leaves burnish as they dry. This is when they are at their most delightful to Judit. Those of us who live in places that turn golden and rust in autumn will know that the transition is bittersweet.2
Knitting pattern: Jih by Isabell Kraemer.
Knitted in (held together): Ito Shimo in 0850 Chestnut and Ito Sensai in 0334 Dark Brown.
Embroidered in: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Glazed Pecan.
Echinacea
Echinacea flowers have a structural beauty to them that remains, even when their colours fade. Judit is inclined to leave them, standing proud through the winter. This template catches them in the glory of their full-bloom to celebrate the downward angle of their smooth petals (so enticing to work in silk ribbon) and the conical-nature of their deeply textured heart (which lends itself perfectly to French Knots).
Knitting pattern: Nuuk by Jonna Hietala.
Knitted in: Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in Yellowstone.
Embroidered in: atelier.von, eco-printed 10mm silk ribbon, 7mm silk ribbon and Laines (Vi)laines Chaussettes in various colourways.
Dragonfly
Each summer, gossamer-winged dragonflies whirr through Judit’s garden, settling momentarily to show off iridescent colours before darting onwards. Their oval, veined wings, enormous in comparison to their elongated bodies, will forever be associated with Art Nouveau and Louis Comfort Tiffany who captured them so perfectly in stained glass.
Knitting pattern: Aveiro by Orlane Sucche.
Knitted in: Istex Lettlopi in 1707 Galaxy.
Embroidered in: DMC Light effects in E135 (2 strands of floss), The Uncommon Thread Everyday Singles in Envy and 4mm beads.
Daisy
What better use for Lazy Daisy Stitch than to stitch daisies? In this template it is used to form the leaves creeping up the stems. The flower petals themselves are worked in Straight Stitches with the thread held double. As an alternative to French Knots, buttons can be sewn to the heart of the flower.
Knitting pattern: Dimi by Orlane Sucche.
Knitted in: De Rerum Natura Gilliatt in Poivre et Sel.
Embroidered in: Vintage tapestry wool.
Blomma
Stylised flowers with a mid-20th century feel are made up of straight and curvy lines, interspersed with textural French Knots. The inspiration for this template came from the cover of the August 1954 journal of the British Society of Industrial Arts.
Knitting pattern: Don’t Ask by Isabell Kraemer.
Knitted in: The Fibre Co. Lore in Truth.
Embroidered in: CaMaRose Lamauld ½ in 6092 Mørk Sennep.
Birdie
Judit likes the idea that there’s one template with a face in this book; a character to keep you or yours company on whatever adventures you undertake in your knitwear. Judit couldn’t do away with flora completely, so as you see, Birdie has alighted on a flowering branch.
Knitting pattern: Fanel by Orlane Sucche.
Knitted in: Tulliver Yarn BFL/Masham DK Naturally Dyed in 41 Plum.
Embroidered in: Welthase Fingering Merino Light in Thunder, The Uncommon Thread BFL Light DK in Lust, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Glazed Pecan and De Rerum Natura Ulysse in Argile and Poivre Blanc.
Aster
The wilder forms of the aster family are simple, joyous flowers that bloom in clusters along tall stems as the first whiff of autumn hits the air. Equally at home in meadows, parklands, roadsides and cottage gardens, they are native to Europe.
Knitting pattern: Demoiselle Arc-en-ciel by Solenn Couix-Loarer.
Knitted in: De Rerum Natura Gilliatt in Cèdre.
Embroidered in: Malabrigo Rastita in 31 Mostaza, Malabrigo Lace in 72 Apricot and Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in 2246 Mediterranean.
Learn more:
Embroidery on Knits
Judit Gummlich – Celebrating Wool Embroidery