Temari Pattern 92 instructions

Way back in the early years, I worked up this pattern at first thinking perhaps it was an original - at the time I did I had not seen it any where else. Hah! (grin). As access to Japanese books became more readily available, we can find several times over. In reality it is a simple application of Sakasa Uwagake Kagari, worked on 8 points. It still remains a favorite of mine, and gets a good number of requests to stitch. The first writeup of the pattern was in 2003 - this rewrite updates things to reflect our progressive learning about technique.

The design is very versatile in terms of the size of mari and thread that can be used. I have done this on 2 to 3 inch maris with many types of thread, and it also works well with variegated or overdyed threads. This pattern is also one that works for a "Rag Ball" or "Bits Ball". It also is readily applied to other divisions such as a 10 combination, using the smaller shapes created within the marking.

Prepare an 8 combination mari (this is a smaller one, about 2 1/4 inches in diameter). Use whatever colors and combinations of threads you like - this is worked in colors of Pearl Cotton #5. The embellishment zig zag is metallic pearl cotton though I'd recommend something like a Nordic Gold as well.

Note the stitching diagram at left. The design is worked in each of the 6 centers of the 8 Combination division, and it works in towards the center of the face. Whether you choose to do each pane in the same color sequence or vary them it up to you (or even stitch solid color stars).

Refer to the directions for Sakasa Uwagake in the TemariKai Tool Kit; Locate points 1 though 8 as you look at once face of the ball. Enter the thread at the left of the vertical marking line at Point 1. Turn the ball counterclockwise, take the thread to Point 2 and take a stitch around the marking line, rotate the mari to Point 3 and take a stitch, and continue in this manner until you are back to Point 1 (green lines on diagram).
Change thread color if desired, enter the thread for Round 2 just under the previous round and repeat the process around (blue lines).

Repeat these rounds working in toward the center of the face. You may choose to end at any time or work in totally to the center so the center is closed and solid. Maintain alignment as you go where the threads cross to obtain the most even final result. The star points will expand in width as you work inward - similar to the top of a standard kiku pattern. Work this design in each face of the C8. Finish the ball with embellishing between the stars with a metallic zigzag or other filler of your choice.