This is Iona, named after the island on which the famous Celtic work the book of Kells was created, as that work contains some of the most fabulous examples of Celtic knots and artwork that I have seen. It uses 2 thicknesses of the same colour and co-ordinating beads.
This one I am still having trouble naming. I'm quite excited about this design as it is bringing in some new ideas to add to the Hardanger technique. Last summer, whilst on holiday in the Lake District, I was introduced to Ruskin Lace by a lady who had taken classes in it and who, when she saw my Hardanger work, brought hers out to show me. I loved the intricacies of the patterns and was struck by its similarities to Hardanger. I have been experimenting with adapting these ideas to work with Hardanger and have a large piece that I have been working on since that summer which I hope to finish soon. This piece is my first release incorporating these ideas and I hope to use more in the future.
Ruskin Lace is a needlecraft that originated in the Lake District in the 1800s. To find out more about it please visit http://www.ruskinlace.org.uk/ I thoroughly recommend buying the book or DVD as it is a fascinating art and these needlework traditions should always be passed on.
These two designs will hopefully be released via my website soon.
