Designed and Stitched by Lou Kilgore

Materials:

Pulled Thread Heart by Lou Kilgore

• 8” X 8” 18 count mono canvas
• 2 sets of 8” stretcher bars/tacks or staples to mount canvas
• Pearl Cotton #8
• #22 Tapestry needles

Tape the edges of the canvas. Mount the canvas on stretchers bars with tacks or staples.

Find the center of your canvas and count up 19 threads. This is the top indention of the heart. Backstitch the heart.

Work the 2 rows of backstitch that divide the sections of the heart. Secure the threads in the backstitching.

Work the Faggot stitch beginning at the lowest tip of the heart. Pull the canvas as you work. If you find your canvas is hard to pull, use water on a cotton swab and dampen the canvas on the line of stitching. The holes may not show up well until the second row is stitched. At the end of each row secure the thread at the end and wrap it around a backstitch on the back to start the next row.

First Row:

Second Row:

Work the Honeycomb stitch over 3 threads. Start at the top center point. The second row may be worked up either side of the first row. The pull is on the vertical wrap. The rows share the pulled stitch.

First Row:

Second Row:

Work the Upright Cross stitch over 4 threads. This will appear as a diagonal stitch when finished.

First Row:

Second Row:

After you have completed the Pulled Thread patterns, use your pearl cotton to wrap the backstitching around the outer edge of the heart and the dividing lines of the heart.

Left-side detail:

Right-side detail:

Lou Kilgore is a needlework instructor, lecturer, designer, and judge. She has completed Judges’ Certification through NAN, Teachers’ Certification in Canvas through NAN, and is a Senior Master Teacher through ANG. She has taught for over 35 years for chapters and national and regional seminars. Her judging experience includes guild and chapter exhibits, Stitchery Showcase, The Exemplary (NAN), and state and county fairs.  She has served in a number of volunteer roles for both EGA and NAN.