Found in New Mexico since the early 1700s, colcha embroidery is a traditional form of embroidery that can appeal to everyone from the absolute novice to those who have been embroidering for years. Although it's been on HGTV and mentioned in a few books, it really hasn't reached the wider audience that I think it deserves. That means you could be the first person on your block -- heck, in your entire city -- doing colcha embroidery. Way to start a trend!

Because the form originated among New Mexico's colonists, who were embroidering at twilight or by the fireside, whenever they had a few minutes and a length of yarn to spare, it can be an incredibly imprecise art that tolerates and indeed benefits from unpredictability. Hence, even children can produce glorious creations, especially as they'll appreciate working with large needles and thicker yarn! Older people and those with impaired eyesight will also be grateful for the darkly outlined designs which make the projects much easier to complete. Embroidery virtuosos won't be bored, though, as they'll find it easy to create very complex, challenging projects that will stimulate every iota of embroidery zeal they possess.

This 30-page, black-and-white self-published booklet is published by the Sandia Mountain Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America. It includes historical information about colcha embroidery, stitch information and diagrams, design motifs, and a bibliography. The booklet's made of 8.5" by 11" paper that's folded in half and stapled, with a cover made of heavier cardstock, but this is a classic situation in which you shouldn't judge the book by its cover.

(See an example of a traditional colcha embroidery in progress here, at the bottom of the page.)

Traditional colcha embroidery is performed with handspun or vegetable-dyed wool yarn on wool or a handwoven cotton fabric. Our 2-ply Heirloom Churro Yarn in Santa Fe and Taos colors, which you can see to the right, is absolutely perfect for colcha work.