Temari Kai - Parasol element worked in color spirals

Parasol Elements done in a Spiral of Colors

A traditional pattern element in Temari, the "Parasol" or "Umbrella" element is seen repeatedly throughout the Japanese books and has been introduced in English texts with Diana Vandervoort. It can be done "ribs up" (working from under the marking lines and taking the stitch around them to create "ribs" that stand up against the surface of the mari) or "ribs down" (using a regular herringbone stitch over the marking lines). There is a super variation to either one of these where two or more colors can be set up to spiral through the design. Setting up the threads for this technique was shown by Joan Z. at the 2005 NY StitchIn; thanks to her for these photos and directions.

For the purpose of these direction I used a C8 but it can be done on any even number of threads. A heavy thread is best; the spiral will show up better. I used pearl 3.

Using 4 colors:
With your first color bring your thread up as close to the pole as possible and take 2 stitches (your "thread up" stitch and one regular stitch), stick your needle in the mari out of the way.
Repeat with your next two colors.
With your 4th color bring your thread up and take 3 stitches.
The last stitch will be beside the first stitch you made.

Go back to your 3rd color and take 3 stitches, stick your needle out of the way

Go back to your 2nd color and take 3 stitches, stick your needle out of the way

Go back to your 1st color and take 3 stitches, stick your needle out of the way

Go back to your 4th color and take 3 stitches, stick your needle out of the way.

Continue around in this way always stopping one stitch before the tail of your next color.

On your last round take only 2 stitches and end your thread.

Variation: For 2 colors on an eight pole, take 4 stitches with your first color and 7 stitches with your 2nd color.Continue around with 7 stitches of each color, always stopping one stitch before the tail of your next color.