Smøyg

Needle 'n Thread

Yvettes books are always excellent. Theyre intelligently and thoroughly written, beautifully illustrated, full of clear and easy-to-grasp instruction and wonderful finished projects.

Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway is no exception!

I think the book will appeal to surface and counted embroiderers alike. Theres something so mesmerising and satisfying about working darning patterns with the simple running stitch, and producing things that are striking and complex! And what stitch could possibly be more accessible than the humble running stitch?

The book will certainly also appeal to needleworkers who have a specific interest in costuming, in regional embroidery, in embroidery history, and in Norwegian and Scandinavian techniques.

Its definitely worth adding to your bookshelf!

 

Click here to read Mary Corbet's full review. 

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www.karenplatt.co.uk

When one of Yvette Stanton's books drops into my letter box, I know that I am in expert hands. She is my number one world embroidery lady. We are all in for a treat. Yvette's guides to traditional embroidery are superb. Discover the colourful world of Norwegian pattern darning - Smoyg. Find historical photos, learn the stitches and techniques and 13 original projects to hone your skills. In her third book on Norwegian embroidery, Yvette shines a light on the subject of folk embroidery. This educational book offers clear and concise step-by-step instructions, inviting you into the charming world of this traditional technique. Yvette simply gives the best charted designs I have ever seen in any book. See the variations of Smoyg, where it hails from, its history and forms. Learn the motifs and fabrics to use for authentic Smoyg. See how to use them in useful and practical projects - a jewellery bag, needlecase, table runner, pendants, band sampler, bookmarks, hanging ornament, table centre, cushion, shirt collar, framed square and scissor keep. An exciting array of projects to appeal to everyone. I think I will start by making the colourful band sampler - it is my favourite project. I am quite tempted by the thought of hanging ornaments too. There is also a guide to thread and fabric compatibility and a pattern sheet. Highly recommended - this year's must buy embroidery book.

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Postcard Reviews

Folk Art is a new passion of mine and I love embroidered pieces.

13 projects are beautifully worked and demonstrated in this wonderful craft book. 

Hailed from Norway, Smoyg is a darning technique that not only is used as decoration, but is a way of telling which region you are from. This is a unique form of expression and men and women's clothing are both 'Smoyg'ed' 

Belts, collars and hats are darned, using this method. Everyone can achieve this look, even if you have never picked up a sewing needle. 

Smoyg is a running stitch, small stitches form incredible designs and what I really loved are the colours chosen to showcase the designs.

The projects include a needlecase and bookmarks, which are small, but the larger project of the shirt is just amazing.  This is the perfect craft to upcycle any garment or to add pizzazz. It is truly beautiful and so eye catching. 

There is a pattern sheet included in this book, and there is a very good guide to stitches and techniques. It is a very educational book and there is no reason why you would need need any other help. 

I highly recommend this book for the complete beginner or the advanced Smoyg'er, it is well presented and the craft is photographed in stunning colour. 

The historical references are well worth a read, it is very interesting. This is a fun craft and one that is worth mastering.

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Amazon

I didnt know what to expect with this book as I had never heard of Smoyg. However, it turned out to be a fascinating and informative book.

A detailed history of pattern darning is explained and how it was developed and used over the centuries. The colour photography of the patterns is beautiful and got me engrossed immediately.
Clear instructions are given on the stitching techniques for both the left and right-handed sewer. It also gives tips on how to finish your work and hints on any problems you may face. I think that it would be a fantastic hobby for someone to get into. It made me want to pick my needle up immediately! As the stitches are simple running stitch most people would be able to approach this craft. The patterns only develop from carefully copying a grid.

Small projects to get you started, include a small jewellery bag and a bookmark. The book also contains a full-sized pattern for a ladies shirt with a smoyg collar for those who become more accomplished.

If there is one criticism I could make, the patterns are very small and would benefit from being enlarged so that each row was better defined. Obviously, this could be rectified by enlarging the grids on a computer or photocopier.

It was a lovely book, a pleasure to read and a new hobby to try out.

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Amazon

Loved this book, the stitch itself is simple and the patterns easy to follow. The results are both beautiful and useful. The book is well laid out, informative with plenty of photos.

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Amazon

Ok so to be honest I had never heard of Smoyg, but I am always looking for new ways of darning and embroidery, so I was thrilled to receive this book. I spent ages just reading about the history of Norwegian darning and looking at the various patterns and guides to stitches and techniques. There are 13 beautiful embroidered projects using bright colours and various designs. The step by step instructions make it so easy to follow and there are even informative parts telling you what problems you may have along the way. I am not experienced and did initially find it all a bit daunting, but I must say I have just completed my first project and it is perfect. I would highly recommend.

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Amazon

Smoyg - I'd never heard of it, and on first glance it looks madly complicated, but in fact with the clear, concise instructions and great illustrations.

This is a very detailed book, but is easy to follow, and very readable. It has a beautiful layout and some great suggestions for use of the patterns. My one critique is that some of the pattern charts are rather small, but I suppose you could easily photocopy them.

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Amazon

This book is a little gem! It has a bit of everything, from history to projects you can actually do (and some small ones for instant gratification or last-minute gifts, to very detailed tutorials. But those are elements that I would expect from a great craft book

Where I think this one goes one step further is the fabric and thread compatibility guide at the end of the book. With all crafts it takes time trial and error to discover those things and the guide saves you from a lot of frustration!

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Amazon

This is a fascinating book. It is an informative introduction to Norwegian sewing. It covers the history and uses of the creative process involved. Anyone interested in hand sewing will find new projects to make. The different patterns covered by the book can be added to the readers own sewing projects. I am looking forward to learning more about Smoyg and thank the author for such an informative book.

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Amazon

This is a gorgeous book, and I'm thrilled to have a copy.

The book opens with several pages describing the history and style of this stitching technique across several different regions of Norway. The differing styles and traditional colours are clearly described and are accompanied by lots of photos - a real treat for anyone who loves embroidery!

This is followed by 13 projects covering a range of items such as jewellery, clothing, sewing accessories, and home decor. The projects are well thought out and clearly described - as another reviewer noted the pattern charts are quite fine and you'll need to work in good light (maybe with a magnifier). However, many of the projects are worked on a fine even weave fabric, and so you'll need the light to work with :-)

I particularly liked the fact that the section describing how different stitches are worked is repeated - once for left-handed and once for right-handed stitchers. It's a nice thought, and good to see the author including this detail. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a series of images showing the same section of stitches worked with different brands/weights of thread on the various counts of fabric used for the projects (ranging from 28 to 50 count fabrics). We've all had the experience of trying to figure out the equivalent threads between brands, when the author's recommended choice isn't available, and this clear guide shows how well different threads will cover the fabric.

Overall a lovely book, and a great buy for any stitch enthusiast.

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Embroiderers Guild

This is another well written book by Yvette Stanton.

A traditional counted thread technique.
Full of background information on the history of Smoyg which is said to date back to Viking times ( late 700s 100s).
There are over 20 pages of detailed photographs tracking the history and pattern designs and their variations from region to Region. In some areas the designs are stitched using only black thread in others the designs are stitched mainly in green and red.

Yvettes attention to detail is evident throughout the book. Projects vary from a jewellery bag in Black and white suitable for a beginner in this technique to a beautiful smoyg collar for the more experienced stitcher.
The Stitches and techniques used are in excellent detail at the back of the book with detailed photographs.
If you like counted thread work then this book is a must for your bookshelf.