Melissa Shirley is stitching Hagatha, one of her witch canvases, and has posted a fascinating tutorial on how she created the witch's hair on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaShirley.Needlepoint/photos/pcb.10156084956404252/10156084940904252/?type=3
For those who can't see the above because you don't have a Facebook account, Melissa took four strands of a warm medium gray Silk and Ivory and laid them close together, one bunch of 4 strands at a time, then couching a bundle into position with one strand of the same thread and color with the couching stitches 1/4 inch to 3/8 inches apart. After couching a bunch, use a large needle or sharp laying tool to pull up on the thread bunch between the couching stitches so it looks curly. Melissa says she had to use straight stitches around the witch's earrings and at her hairline with a single strand.
I think this would work with any wool or wool-silk blend. It might not be quite as successful with other thread types but this does depend on the look you are going for.
Thanks, Melissa! You are as inventive a stitcher as you are a designer!
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
