I’ve been vacationing in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California! While I was strolling around, I happened to wander right by Lu Lu’s Silk Art Gallery. It has dozens and dozens of gorgeous Chinese silk embroideries! These are Suzhou style embroidery. And they let me take pictures! See this beautiful vase? It’s entirely worked in Chinese knots. Really! Take a look:
These are all very very tiny knots in silk. Given my recent exasperation with doing far fewer french knots in yarn for my Hilltop Farm project, I have a good idea of just how much effort this must have taken. It’s incredible.
I have a bunch of photos, but I’m only going to show one more piece today 🙂 It’s a beautiful piece worked mostly in straight stitches. This one is impressive because the entire background as well as the figure is embroidered, and it’s 2ft by 2ft (60cm x 60cm). That’s not a printed fabric background – it’s embroidered.
Despite the large scale of the work, small details like earrings, curls in her hair, and eyelashes are included.
Even her fingernails are drawn in. Her dress has designs on it too. Of course, the entire thing is silk so in person it shines in the light. Walking through three rooms covered in works like this is really an experience.
I’ll show you more another time 🙂
embroidery for ducks 
Exquisite work, thanks for sharing.
Yes, it was an amazing visit.
How lucky you happened to find such lovely work. Looking forward to part 2!
Wait til you see random stitch – that’s really impressive
How utterly spectacular – what a sight to stumble across!
I was pretty excited.
Lucky you! I have embroidered many kinds of knots, but never heard of Chinese knots! Looking forward to posting more pics of this beautiful work, Going to Youtube to find Chinese knots!! Pat/San Antonio, tx
They are slightly different from French knots and seem to have more of a loop left above the fabric.
Wow for both pieces. Thanks for showing.
Thank you for showing this. We were just up north in Pacific Grove, but didn’t stop in Carmel BTS. These are absolutely exquisite.
Magnifique bravo Marie-Claire