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Honeycomb darning icon
Honeycomb darning

  • Honeycomb filling stitch

Honeycomb darning is a simple pulled thread stitch formed of alternating angled stitches which in combination form a honeycomb pattern.

N.B. Thérèse de Dillmont calls this ‘Thirteenth pattern’ in her Encyclopedia of Needlework.

It was evidently in use during the 19th century as it is referenced in an English Victorian pamphlet Needlework for ladies for pleasure and profit dating from 1886.

add_circleMy Stitches
Pulled Embellishment Open Filling Pulled Thread Whitework

Honeycomb darning is generously sponsored by Jessica Fanego

Method

To make sure the pattern is correct, turn the embroidery over. On the back you will see that the horizontal stitches are doubled up.
Try this with thicker thread for a raised effect.
In the example below, outline of the design (usually worked with double running stitch before starting pulled thread work) is not shown so that you can see the honeycomb darning more clearly.

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Honeycomb darning method stage 1 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 1 photograph
1

Work from right to left. Bring the needle up just inside the outline of your design. Make a vertical stitch up over four threads.

Honeycomb darning method stage 2 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 2 photograph
2

Make a horizontal stitch under four threads, to the left.

Honeycomb darning method stage 3 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 3 photograph
3

Pull the thread tight.

Honeycomb darning method stage 4 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 4 photograph
4

Make a vertical stitch down over four threads.

Honeycomb darning method stage 5 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 5 photograph
5

Pull the thread tight again.

Honeycomb darning method stage 6 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 6 photograph
6

Make a horizontal stitch under four threads to the left.

Honeycomb darning method stage 7 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 7 photograph
7

Continue to the left in the same way until you complete the first row.

Honeycomb darning method stage 8 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 8 photograph
8

Make a holding stitch on the outline or in the border where this holding stitch will be covered later on, and then bring the needle up four threads down from the hole of the previous row.

Honeycomb darning method stage 9 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 9 photograph
9

Make a vertical stitch over four threads, taking the needle down through the hole of the previous row. Work the new row from left to right.

Honeycomb darning method stage 10 illustration
Honeycomb darning method stage 10 photograph
10

Bring the needle up four threads to the right, through the next hole along, and pull again. Repeat to complete the row. Continue until you fill your design area.

Honeycomb darning

Structure of stitch

Pulled

Common uses

Embellishment Open Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Pulled Thread Whitework

Related Stitches

Wave stitch filling (pulled thread)

References

  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.320
  • Thérèse De Dillmont, Encyclopedia of Needlework (1886)