Walls for the wind and a roof for the rain and drinks beside the fire ~
laughter to cheer you and those you love near you and all that your heart desires.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Marken bands...


A few years ago I read in Piecework magazine (Nov/Dec 1996...wow, time flies!) an article about the hair bands of Marken. Wonderful cross stitched bands worked in black thread on snowy white linen. Each family had their own band, the pattern a carefully guarded secret handed down through the generations and worn by the women on what was known as a Big Cap...a cap made up of 12 pieces pinned together while on the head and worn even while sleeping! The stitched band was horizontal across the top of the forehead, and covered with a piece of gauzy fabric, making it difficult to distinguish the design by the casual observer. The design of the band was such a closely guarded secret, they were washed and hung to dry inside...just in case someone saw them hanging on the line and copied the pattern!

Where am I going with this, you ask? Right back to the Needleprint site! Jacqueline offers a sampler made up of wonderful Marken bands, and I just could not resist it! The pattern is lovely, printed on high quality card stock, and includes information about the Marken Bands. I love it done in the black, but there is a whisper in my ear that says "do it in blue"...beautiful indigo blue on white linen...but it would be equally as beautiful in red...or green...

Keep stitching ladies!

2 comments:

Stitch By Stitch said...

Don't feel bad! I have that issue of Piecework as well as many others in my stash too! Hope things are well with you and your pending plans.

Anonymous said...

i just picked up a skein of CC belle soie indigo...i bet it would be goregous on the white linen.... :)

joann in tx