If you are a beginner, do not despair!
Do one step at a time, following the instructions carefully . If you can
do cross stitch and half cross stitch, you will find this pattern is much
easier to execute than it looks.
MATERIALS
7x7" #18 mono canvas
#22, 24 & 26 tapestry needles
2 pairs 7" stretcher bars plus tacks
Threads: one skein each in colors that blend well together
Impressions (50% wool, 50% silk) -- purple lines on chart
Wildflowers (fine cotton about the weight of flower thread) -- black lines
on chart
Rachel (a tubular nylon thread) -- yellow lines on chart
Soie Cristale (12-ply silk) -- green lines on chart
DESIGN SIZE
2 3/8 x 2 3/8", 42 x 42 threads
GETTING STARTED
Mark center of canvas and mount on stretcher bars with tacks.
Starting point will be at the upper 1eft corner -- 1 1/4" up and to
the left of center
NOTE: One thread of the chart is one thread of the canvas. The squares
are the holes in the canvas.
WORKING THE STITCHES
With one strand of Impressions work a square 13 x 13 threads in continental
stitch (half-cross over one thread).
On top of the continental stitches place four cross stitches over two threads
and a Smyrna cross (Diagram 1) over five threads as diagrammed using one
strand of Wildflowers.
Work slanted satin stitches around the square you have just created. Use
Rachel, being careful not to "catch" it as you stitch. To prevent
raveling rice paste the tips of the thread. It is safe and will not hurt
the thread or fabric.
With two plies of Soie Cristale, place a cross stitch over the Rachel at
the corner.
Then complete three Smyrna cross variations (Diagram 2) along each of two
sides of the square with one strand of Wildflowers in the needle.
The adjacent stitches are done in two stages using 2 plies of Soie Cristale.
The dotted lines are the bottom layer; the solid lines are the top layer.
Surround the motif on two sides with Rice Stitch (Diagram 3) over 4 threads.
Use 2 plies of Soie Cristale. Notice when you complete these two rows that
one corner "block" will be empty.
Square off the design again by working slanted satin stitches around two
sides, filling in the empty block with longer stitches.
Then complete a giant Rice Stitch on top of the Rachel. Go over 8 threads
using Wildflowers to make the bottom as well as the top stitches.
The next row is long-armed cross (Diagram 4) with one strand of Wildflowers.
Double
cross (Diagram 5) with 2 plies of Waterlilies makes the next row, followed
by another border of long-armed cross in Wildflowers.
In the lower right corner, you will again fill in with continental stitch
using two strands of Soie Cristale.
Decorate this base with one strand of Rachel. Twist the thread in your
needle into a tight cord, but let it relax as you lay the diagonal stitches.With
Wildflowers, tie the bundle of Rachel by coming up at "A" and
scooping around the Rachel threads only -- do not disturb the silk stitches.
Draw the Rachel threads gently together and go down at "B". Notice
that this tie-down is not centered, so you will create an attractive assymetrical
motif.
Finish off your piece with a narrow satin stitch border worked with one
strand of Rachel. Follow the chart carefully as stitch direction changes
on each side.
If you enjoyed this pattern, there is more to it! It is currently under
construction and will soon be published as one of Diane's charted designs.
Watch for it at your favorite needlework shop or contact Diane directly
for details.
