Huck Embroidery, is also known as darning, is a type of needle work which the surface of what is known as huckaback fabric is decorated.
Huckaback is a towel like fabric most readily available in 17 inch width and a limited amount of colors, and commonly is recognized by its raised threads that occur at the same intervals on both sides.
On one side there are single floats that run across, this is called the right side of the fabric.
The other side has double floats that run up and down and this is the side that should be embroidered on.
Most huck designs are embroidered on the double floats, going across the fabric, but some are embroidered on the single floats, going across the fabric length wise.
Which floats are used is determined by the project you are making.
For example, a design for a hand towel would be marked on the double floats.
Hand towels are a common huck project because they are 17 inches in width which is suited for a huck project.
Another favorite huck project is a curtain, you would turn the fabric to the other side and use the length crosswise.
When huck fabric is used this way, the single floats should run up and down, and the width of the fabric becomes the height of the curtain.
Yarns commonly used for a huck project are pearl cotton and 6- strand embroidery floss, sometimes a Persian yarn and cotton tapestry can also be used.
Because the needle is inserted through the floats rather than through the fabric, a tapestry needle in a size that is best suited for your yarn is recommended.
An embroidery hoop is not required for these projects.
Most huck designs are worked in rows of stitches that start at the bottom and continue upward.
The first row of a design, is worked from the center out to make certain that the design is balanced on both sides.
After the line is laid, rows can be made from left to right.
Many huck projects consist of large patterns that are repeated.
In order to fit as many patterns as possible within the width of the fabric.
The first pattern must be carefully placed.
To determine placement of the first pattern in relation to the center of the fabric, count the number of floats that are in one pattern, then the number that is across the fabric.
Divide the number of floats per pattern into the number available in the fabric.
Drop all fractions from the final number.
If the answer is an even number, place the edge of the pattern at the center line and make a complete design on the center line.
If the answer is an odd number of floats, center the first design and make half a design on either side.