Florentine Embroidery (also known as Bargello work) produces beautifully rich patterns and can be adapted to create sumptuous knitting and crochet designs.
History of Bargello Work
As with many other crafts, the exact origins of Bargello work have been lost through time. However, this style of embroidery is believed to come from the 15th century, when there was a marriage between Hungarian and Italian royal houses.
This led to the skills of traditional Hungarian embroidery being combined with the Italian knowledge of dyes, resulting in beautiful patterns being created in deep and bright colours.
Bargello Knitting Technique
Bargello work is often based on a line of pattern (for example a chevron) which is then repeated three or four times with other colours or shades and then the stripe sequence is repeated.
The initial pattern line is usually four stitches deep. The shape of the line is created by “steps” between one row and the next. These are usually in two stitch increments. By varying these steps, the chevron can be softened into a curve, or elongated into a pinnacle.
Colours for Bargello
Traditionally, these designs were worked in shades of the same colour, giving a graduated, almost three dimensional effect to the pattern. This is very striking, but not the only option. Bright, contrasting colours can also be used, to give a modern pattern.
Adapting Bargello Stripes
Besides the traditional striped pattern, it is possible to reverse the stripe pattern, changing your chevrons into diamonds and creating medallions from your curves.
For those crafters handy with graph paper or Microsoft Excel when creating knitting patterns it is also possible to divide the pattern four ways, giving a beautiful kaleidoscope effect to the work.
Bargello Knitting and Crochet
This technique can be used in knitting and crochet patterns, creating stunning designs. When knitting Bargello, it is possible to use stranded techniques, but intarsia is preferable, as small amounts of each colour (as the repeats dictate) can be wound onto bobbins and hang at the back of the work. Carrying four colours would make stranded work quite thick and heavy.
These patterns work very well in tapestry crochet as the colours can be carried through the stitches. This gives the fabric a firm, slightly ridged texture, which makes it very hardwearing.
Where to Use Bargello Patterns
These patterns work very well in household items, such as cushions.
The sumptuous colours also make an attractive feature as a panel in a larger item, such as a throw or an afghan.
Bargello offers an alternative way of using colour and pattern in your knitted and crocheted items. The only limit is the imagination of the crafter.
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