The Stitch with the Odd Name

Hawk Mask with Fagoting

Fagoting (or faggoting), fagoting stitch, or fagot stitch...it's a beautiful decorative stitch with a rather odd name. Fagoting joins two pieces of fabric together, but leaves a small gap to highlight the decorative crisscrossed or parallel threads of the stitch. Examples of fagoting can be found on Victorian garments, laces, knitted pieces, and on women's garments from the turn of the last century.  Perhaps a less than traditional use, above it is used to piece together a hawk mask!

There are a variety of different fagoting stitches, here this is how to create the one used on the hawk mask....

1.  Knot one end of thread.
2.  From back to front, push the needle through the fabric at point "A".
3.  From back to front, push the needle through the fabric at point "B".

4.  Run the needle behind the thread and up through the fabric, from back to front, at point "C".

5.  Run the needle behind the thread and up through the fabric, from back to front, at point "D".

6.  Continue in this manner, running the needle behind the thread and pushing the needle up through the fabric from back to front.

Despite the odd name, fagoting a fun and easy stitch that can add lovely detail and visual interest to a variety of projects.

The Hawk Mask is available from OxeyeDaisey Patterns and Design on Etsy.