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Hardanger designs

Originally Hardanger was almost always white on white, or at least using thread the same colour (usually light) as the fabric. However, with so many colourful threads available nowadays, from everyday DMC perle cottons to speciality threads like Caron's Watercolours or hand-dyed silk perles, it seems almost ungrateful not to make use of them. Colours can also be very evocative, and this is why most of our designs are stitched using at least some coloured threads; however, most of the coloured designs would work equally well in traditional white on white – the choice (as with so many things in needlework) is yours!

If you have never done any Hardanger before you might want to start with one of Mabel's kits for beginners. They contain all the materials you will need, cover the basic Hardanger stitches and come with extra detailed instructions.

Shopping for a stitching friend or family member? Make sure their present is exactly what they want by giving them one of the many vouchers available – anything from a single small project to a Pick & Mix of large designs!

Please note that our chart packs are digital and will be emailed to you in PDF format. Click here for some practical points about chart packs, materials etc. before you dip into our range of designs.

• Chart packs include a colour photograph of the finished design, a chart, a list of the materials needed to complete it (often with suggestions for alternative versions), instructions and custom-made stitch diagrams.
• Because the choice of fabric is left to you, the size of the design is given as its stitch count, that is to say how many stitches high and wide it is. To work out how large the design will be on your chosen fabric, divide the stitch count by the "count" of your fabric (i.e. the number of threads it has per inch). For example, a design 80 stitches square stitched on 25ct fabric will be 80/25 = 3 ¹/₅".
• Although the catalogue doesn't give a full list of the materials needed, it will mention any speciality threads or other non-standard materials used. If you have trouble locating a supplier for any of them, do let us know and we'll do our best to help you find one.
• Some of the designs include speciality stitches, e.g. lazy daisy, Rhodes stitch, eyelets and Queen's stitch. These are explained in the instructions, with stitch diagrams if necessary.

Cards & Coasters Designs of no more than 76 x 76 stitches which are particularly suitable for cards or small decorative items

Small designs Designs between 76 x 76 and 100 x 100 stitches

Medium designs Square designs under 150 x 150 stitches, or rectangular designs whose short side is no more than 125 stitches

Large designs Square designs from 150 x 150 stitches, or rectangular designs whose short side is over 125 stitches

Sets & Series Designs that share a theme, style or technique, available at special set prices

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