Duet in Needlepoint

Needlepoint pictures, both traditional in feeling, fit the same size frame. “Peace on Earth,” like all favorite Yuletide decorations, can make an appearance every year; the hoop skirted strollers might occupy the frame at other seasons. Both embroidered pieces are 10¼” square.

Peaceful holiday scene embroidered in warm, rich colors might hang from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. White frame harmonizes with fireplace, or frame to match your décor may be used.

Quaint needlepoint picture, “Taking a Walk,” done in sunny, spring-like pastels might replace the holiday scene for the rest of the year.

Materials: Ten-mesh-to-the-inch canvas, 14” square. (To enlarge or reduce size of picture, choose larger or smaller mesh canvas.) 12½ yd. skeins of tapestry wool in amounts given with color key. Tapestry needle. Bias tape or heavy paper to bind canvas. Picture frame, rabbet measure 10¼” square, ⅛” thick cardboard, ¼” smaller than rabbet of frame.

Directions: Bind edges of canvas with bias tape or heavy paper. Mark horizontal and vertical center lines on canvas as guides for centering designs. Charts include background area. Start design at upper right-hand corner of canvas. Following chart, work design, then background. Use either continental or diagonal stitch. Cut working strands of wool about 18” long – wool cut too long will wear thin in working.

Keep wool from twisting to avoid thin places in work. Fasten wool by going through stitches on back, then clipping ends close to canvas. To prevent work from getting crooked, be careful not to jerk wool tight – hold thumb on yarn until you have pulled it through canvas; then life thumb, pull wool gently into place.

Blocking: Cover an old table, bread board or drawing board with brown paper and mark on this the size of canvas, being sure that corners are square. Place needlepoint, right side down, over guide and fasten with thumbtacks ¾” apart along edge of canvas. Wet thoroughly with cold water; let dry. If work is badly warped, dry and restretch. Wet again, and dry.

Framing: Stretch canvas over cardboard backing, keeping lines of needlepoint straight. Hold in place with straight pins pushed into edge of cardboard. Begin pinning at centers of sides and at corners. Continue stretching and pinning until there is a border of pins about ¼” apart. Frame with or without glass.

Pattern List

There are many stories of 4th century Saint Nicolas, a Russian bishop and patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas's feast, is celebrated on Christmas, December 25th. This "Old World" Saint Nicholas is a favorite subject of needle workers around the world, and can be yours too, in Anchor's brilliant palette of floss colors.

Designed by Ursula Michael

Dimensions: 100 x 100 stitches
Approximate finished size: 7 1/8" x 7 1/8"
Size to cut fabric: 17" x 17"

Anchor Embroidery Ross as listed in color key.

Model stitched on Aida 14 white, over 2 threads, using 2 strands for cross-stitch and 1 strand for backstitch.

CLICK HERE to download Cross Stitch Chart

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Find center of fabric by folding it in half both ways; mark with thread or washable marker.

2. Using 18-inch (46 cm.) strands, separate plies. Place the required number of plies (2) side by side and thread needle.

3. Determine starting point by finding center of design (marked by side arrows on chart) and counting up and left from center to symbol at upper left corner. Begin stitching at this point.

4. Place fabric in hoop. Pull floss through fabric leaving 1" extending on wrong side. Hold in place so that end is overcast by first stitches taken. Never knot thread.

5. Work all the stitches in an area of the same color at one time.

6. Work each stitch according to Diagram A, crossing each "X" in the same direction.

7. To end thread, weave through several stitches on the wrong side. Cut end close to work.

8. Work all cross-stitch first, then do backstitching (Diagram B).

TIPS

If thread twists while stitching, let needle dangle so that thread unwinds.

Mark off sections of stitches on chart as you work.

Prevent threads shadowing through on the front of project by ending threads, rather than making long stitches on back of work.

Work from left to right, starting at the top. Avoid jumping from one area of design to another, as it is easy to miscount.

Pattern © by Coats & Clark Inc. Reproduced with permission from Coats & Clark Inc. PurpleKittyYarns.com is not endorsed by Coats & Clark Inc. It is not permissible to contract production of projects made from designs published by Coats & Clark to a third party for sale or distribution.

CLICK HERE to download Cross Stitch Chart

Pattern © by Coats & Clark Inc. Reproduced with permission from Coats & Clark Inc. PurpleKittyYarns.com is not endorsed by Coats & Clark Inc. It is not permissible to contract production of projects made from designs published by Coats & Clark to a third party for sale or distribution.

Color Key

Color 2 - Rust
Color 3 - Limestone
Color 4 - Amber
Color 5 - Medium Rust
Color 6 - Medium Green