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Honeycomb (pattern) icon
Honeycomb (pattern)

Honeycomb (pattern) main image

​This mid-scale blackwork pattern is made up of a series of hexagons with a square inside each one. Its honeycomb effect makes it good for natural designs.

add_circleMy Stitches
Flat Pattern Shading Open Filling Blackwork

Further Reading

RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Blackwork by Becky Hogg
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Honeycomb (pattern) is generously sponsored by Linda Hennessy

Method

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Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 1 illustration
Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 1 photograph
1

Start with a straight horizontal stitch over two threads of fabric.

Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 2 illustration
Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 2 photograph
2

Complete a column with clusters of three straight stitches with a space of two fabric threads between each cluster.

Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 3 illustration
Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 3 photograph
3

Work up and down to produce more columns to fill the space; each column should be two fabric threads apart and the clusters offset from the columns either side.

Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 4 illustration
Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 4 photograph
4

Work across the shape again using vertical stitches over two threads to bridge the gaps and make squares.

Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 5 illustration
Honeycomb (pattern) method stage 5 photograph
5

Finally complete the pattern by joining the single horizontal stitches with a diagonal stitch over two intersections of the fabric.

Honeycomb (pattern)

Structure of stitch

Flat Pattern

Common uses

Shading Open Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Blackwork

Related Stitches

Back stitch

Identifying Honeycomb (pattern)

​Rows of interconnected hexagons with an individual box in each hexagon.

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.147