Every stitcher has a “threshold project,” that one piece of work that completely changes their creative direction. For me, that moment was discovering the architectural beauty of Lorene Salt’s geometric canvas work patterns. Lorene is a Canadian designer whose work transcends traditional needlepoint, turning the canvas into a playground of mathematical symmetry and textural depth.
At a Glance: How Lorene Salt Influences Needlepoint
- Design Heritage: A Canadian designer and educator
- Technical Variety: Features a wide array of stitches, including Bargello, crescent petals, and flower clusters.
- The “Shockwave” Spark: The specific project that transitioned my own journey from crazy quilting to the world of counted canvas.
- Beginner-Friendly: Despite their complex look, these designs are a masterclass in learning new decorative stitches.
A Journey of Transformation
As many of you likely know, I did not take up needlepoint (specifically counted canvas) until I was introduced to it by a customer back in 2014. My needlework journey actually began in the eclectic, free-form world of crazy quilting.
Everything changed when I was introduced to counted canvas designs and further inspired discovering Lorene Salt’s designs. She initially offered Shockwave as a beginner canvas work correspondence course through the Embroidery Association of Canada, and I was fortunate enough to take the class at that time.
Have you ever picked up a project that felt like it was finally speaking your creative language?
For me, that was Shockwave. It was only my second project in this style, but the logic and beauty of the stitches had me hooked immediately.
Architecture for the Canvas
Lorene’s geometric canvas work patterns are like architecture for the canvas. This particular pattern is designed on 18-count mono canvas, sized at 9×9.
In these project, you’ll find a fascinating mix of techniques:
- Bargello and Crescent Petals: Creating sweeping, rhythmic movement.
- Flower Clusters: Adding 3D “pops” of interest.
- Corner Detail: Each of the four corners utilizes a different selection of stitches—straight, diagonal, cross, tied, looped, and decorative.
This diversity makes her patterns an excellent choice for a beginner. They provide an ideal learning opportunity to add to your personal library of new stitches within a single, structured design.
The Synergy of Design and Palette
While I used a different palette for my original Shockwave project, a new addition like Colour #193 (our aqua, blue, and purple blend) would make an excellent focal colour for this project. By using it to anchor a broader palette of varying blue and purple values, you can create a piece that feels both tranquil and sophisticated.
I am so pleased to support a fellow Canadian designer. Whether you are looking for your first “threshold project” or your fiftieth, Lorene’s work highlights elegance in needle arts and hand-dyed threads. Her geometric patterns allow variegated colours to shine without losing the integrity of the design.
