This week I am going to introduce a stitch I discovered in the A-Z of Embroidery Stitches: v. 2. I am sure crazy quilters will love this stitch as it is so decorative and pretty. I know that it is likely to become one of my favourites. I have only worked it in a line but plan to experiment with it in zig-zag formation, in squares, along the edge of paisley patterns. Apart from being used as an edging stitch, this stitch has loads of creative potential. 

It is called Beaded Hedebo Edge and consists of a foundation row of cross stitches which are then worked over in beads and scalloped with a form of buttonhole.  

For purposes of this sample I used 3m beads, tapestry needle size 26 and perle 8 thread.

A note for those who did not do TAST 1. You may want to take a look at up and down buttonhole stitch because the the second part of working up and down buttonhole is the same hand action as the knotted buttonhole stitch on Beaded Hedebo Edge. 

How to work Beaded Hedebo Edge

First make a line of half cross stitches almost as if you were working alternating cross stitch but make every second stitch longer. 

Make the return run to complete the cross stitches. 

Bring the needle to the front at 'A' and thread a seed bead on your needle.

Take it back into the fabric at 'B'

Your bead will sit at an angle as illustrated.

Bring your needle out of the fabric at 'C'

Pass your needle upwards under both bars of the cross stitch but NOT through the fabric.

Wrap the thread behind the needle as illustrated. (Don't worry about the fact that I have already worked a stitch I just mucked up the first photo) 

Pull the needle through in an upwards motion. Half way along the length of the thread change direction and move your hand downwards. This means you are stitching in an up and over motion.

As you tighten the thread slightly a loop is made at the bottom of the bar.

Pull until snug. 

NOTE: Your are not stitching through the fabric

Continue along the cross bars until the bars are snug, packed with stitches.

Take your needle to the back at the base of the bar 

Bring your needle out at the base of the small cross stitch, take up a bead thread it on your needle. Take your needle to the back at the top of the stitch. 

Bring your needle out at the base of the long cross stitch ready to repeat the process again.

Continue in this manner until you have worked all the bars.

How to join in. 

Work an example of the stitch. Experiment a bit , photograph it, and put it on your flickr site or write about it on your blog. Please remember to link back to here so others can find the challenge too

Come here to this post and leave a comment to tell everyone where your site is. (Click on the title and it will take you to this post on an individual page if you bookmark it you can find it again) 

Visit a few sites of people who have already left a comment. See what they have done. I am sure everyone will enjoy  following the links left in the comments. If you have time, let other people know on their site that you have seen their work.

Other groups and networks

You can also share your explorations with other members on  stitchin fingers group and the flickr TAST site 

All posts relating to this challenge are in the Take a Stitch Tuesday category and the guidelines and list of participants is here.