Have you ever tried huck embroidery? Also referred to as Swedish weaving and huck towel embroidery, this technique is incredibly simple, fast, and pleasing in the effects that can be achieved. Traditionally done on huck toweling (a thin cotton fabric with raised threads--if you ever used one of the old-fashioned cloth towel machines in a bathroom, you've seen huck toweling), huck embroidery is frequently done in a larger format on Monk's cloth to create afghans and throws.

Huck embroidery basically consists of following a simple charted pattern to guide fiber through raised threads to create geometric designs and borders. Some can be simple, some can involve many rows of threads overlapping for a complex result that's further enhanced by creative choice of colors.

I've done a lot of huck embroidery over the years, making everything from dish towels to placemats to table runners. Although there's no knotting of the thread, the woven fibers stay in place on the surface of the huck fabric very well, and the end products are quite durable.

If you're interested in trying this embroidery technique, go to this week's website: Avery Hill Designs. Here you'll find history and instructions, FAQ, design books and supplies available for order, a free pattern, and color examples of huck embroidery.

Do try this technique. It's so simple and effective, and offers many opportunities for creativity!

--Nancy