Hardanger embroidery is a simple form of needle work. It was named after the area from where it originated. It involves counting the threads, pulling stitches and clipping threads. Hardanger embroidery has sometimes been called Whitework embroidery. It is traditionally done using white thread on white cloth.
It is believed that the Hardanger embroidery began in Persia. After it spread to Italy in the Renaissance period it became known as Reticella and Venetian lacework. By 1700 it had spread to northern Europe and developed into Dutch Hedebo, Scottish Ayrshire work and Ruskin lacework or Norwegian Drawn Work as it was called. Sometime between 1650 and 1850 the technique flourished in Norway. Flax was grown and spun into white thread and cloth for costumes called bunads. There has also been found in India embroidery work to be in the Hardanger style.
In the 1900s, the emigration of the Scandinavian people brought the Hardanger embroidery to America. In 1904 and 1906, books were published with detailed instructions for the Hardanger embroidery. The modern fabric used is an even weave with 22 threads going in each direction typically called 22 count, similar to Aida cloth. Usually the work is done with the same color thread as the cloth, white on white or cream on cream. However, in more modern times contrasting colors have been used for different effects.
There are magazines with instructions and patterns. Equipment needed for this Hardanger embroidery is minimal. You will need two needles, sharp embroidery scissors, an embroidery hoop and a small pointed pair of tweezers. During the World War I and World War II the practice of Hardanger fell off. However, it has been revived and there is now a yearly contest for the work and the winning pattern is published.
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