How to Stitch a Kloster Block

Hardanger Embroidery is a counted thread embroidery style. Kloster blocks, a basic element of Hardanger designs, are formed by stitching a series of long satin stitches. Five satin stitches are completed over four threads.

1. Begin this stitch with a waste knot. To stitch a kloster block, bring the threaded needle up at 1 and back down at 2.
   
   
2. Complete the second satin stitch by bringing the needle up at 3 and down at 4.
   
   
3. The third stitch is formed by bringing the needle up at 5 and down at 6.
   
   
4. Stitch the fourth satin stitch by coming up at 7 and down at 8.
   
   
5. Complete the kloster block by stitching up at 9 and down at 10.

Tip: When stitching adjacent kloster blocks, alternate between vertical and horizontal blocks as shown in the second image.

Note: Adjacent kloster blocks should touch. The third image shows a stitched model of kloster blocks.

Use these free patterns to practice stitching the kloster block:
Hardanger Practice Square
Simple Hardanger Heart
Hardanger Steps and Stars