OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: by Dimensions/Sunset (kit designed by Stephen Read)
• Materials: 18 count navy aida, threads as kitted
• Size: 12″ diameter, round
• Time to stitch: 7.5 years (mostly as UFO, of course!)

I am so excited to have finished my oldest WIP- I started this project in June 2007.  Seems like a lifetime ago.

 Stitching on dark fabrics presents a bit of a challenge for me, but I adore the dramatic effect.  This project is a good size, but the stitching isn’t too difficult, nothing complicated.  A lot of blended colors are employed; the shading is wonderful.  The detail in the unicorn, like his muscular chest, is fabulous.  I did make one small change- as charted his eye is red.  Red eyes are demonic!  The unicorn of myth and magic is a regal creature of innocense and purity; I thought purple a more appropriate color.  

One annoying aspect of this project is the copious amounts of half cross stitch in dark blue for the sky, practically invivisible on the navy aida, but it does add a subtle sheen, I suppose.  The other negative, for me at least, was a gazillion french knots for the stars in the sky.  I don’t hate french knots, but enough is enough!  I considered subbing beads, but I decided that sparkly beads would not fit with the project, which has a rather earthy aesthetic despite the fantastical figure of the uncicorn.

With this finish, my WIP count is back in the single digits again.  It’s my third stitching finish of 2014, which doesn’t compare with last year (when I finished 9!), but not bad for a new mom.  I think I’ll see if I can eke out another finish before the year ends…