OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: By Joanne Aston for Cross Stitch Gold Magazine October 2016
• Materials: 34 count ecru linen, DMC cotton & Etoile
• Size: 7.6 x 8.7 inches
• Time to stitch: 33 days over 1.75 years

Presenting a full coverage finish!  

Oh this project is so much more than simply full coverage.  The backstitch is kind of insane, much of it over one thread.  There are french knots galore.  There’s a hefty list of colors, and I added to the stitch count by filling in the negative space at the bottom with white Etoile.  It was meant to be stitched on white, but the ecru I used did not serve as snowy ground.  

I wanted to finish it last year and worked on it quite a bit in late December, but I burned out on the backstitch and punted.  Thankfully, I started doing the Daily 30 weekly challenges in January, part of that is 30 minutes per day for 5 days out of 7.  It was perfect for this piece.  I could handle the fiddly bits in 30 minute increments.  

As for materials, my choice of the 34 count ecru was ill advised.  First, the color issue as mentioned above.  Then, with all the fractional stitches, 28 count would have been better.  At least it’s nice and petite on the 34 count.  And the french knots (1 strand, wrapped twice) provided great coverage for the empty stitches.  I really did not fancy making french knots in the middle of a cross stitch.  A lot of them are made between the cross stitches, which isn’t too bad.  Really only basic materials are required for this chart, but it’s highly detailed, intricate, lovely regardless.    

My favorite part is certainly the people.  3 children and their parents, persumably.  l love their clothes, and the hats & bonnets are cute.  The tree in the window is gorgeous with the popcorn strands crafted of light yellow french knots.  I suppose I would say this would not be the project for you, if you are averse to french knots.  And now my rotation is devoid of full coverage.  It feels strange.  I might start another of those full coverage stained glass Christmas ornmaments (I stitched one a few years ago, there are several in the book).