Analysing A Kasuti Pattern

Working a complex Kasuti pattern need not be a daunting prospect. Just remember a few basic points and you are equipped to work any pattern.

A little time spent analysing a design and deciding how you plan to proceed will save you a lot of time, energy and frustration in the long run.

Side-trips- are design elements, branching off from the main pattern only to return, to exactly the same point, where they deviated.

Complex patterns can be broken down into side-trips, or side trips off side-trips for easy management.

First sketch the design on a graph paper.Use maybe red for the main journey, green for all the side trips and blue for side trips off side trips, brown for the return journey etc., when sketching the design.

The sketching is a necessary part of the analysing process, and will be a blessing especially when working complex designs multiple times; like on a saree.

As I've already mentioned in previous posts, the only stitch used in most patterns is the Double Running stitch or the Holbein stitch. This means that all patterns are worked in two journeys.

• an onward journey and
• a return journey

These are the steps you must follow when working any kasuti pattern.

1. First trace out a continuous line (or maybe I should say, pave the path for your onward journey?)
2. Follow that line on the first trip.
3. Complete all the side trips on the return journey.

Determine beforehand the path you want to follow when you work the design. Mark the path with arrows for future reference or for use when you teach someone else the nuances of Kasuti.

In more complex patterns, you may have to make more than one side trip.  Each of these trips should be treated as complete trips in themselves (comprising of onward-return journeys).

The next post will be a simple exercise to illustrate the process.