Assisi embroidery - with a twist

In traditional Assisi embroidery the background of a design is stitched, in a form of cross stitch, leaving the subject matter blank or void. The following designs use blackwork embroidery instead! Frame them or make them up into needle cases/needlebooks.

If you would like to try a free assisi pattern check out the rose design worked in long-armed cross stitch.

Blackwork cats

There is a lot of counterchange going on in this blackwork assisi embroidery design. We have the back view of a black cat, the front of the white cat and the border changes halfway around too. A touch of gold metallic in the border helps to frame this blackwork pattern.

Instructions are included for making this design up into a needle case or you can frame it, as shown in the photograph. A great gift for cat loving stitching friends.

Approx. Design size: 8 x 5 inches on 14 count (use our handy calculator if you want to use a different fabric count)

Downloadable Chart £1.75 currency convertor

Blackwork dogs

Featuring a West Highland White Terier and a Scottish Terrier, this design makes a smaller needlecase again using a technique borrowed from Assisi embroidery. The cross stitched border again changes at the centre line.

Both dogs are outlined in gold metallic and the white dog sports a cross stitched golden collar.

Approx. Design size: 6 x 3 inches on 14 count (use our handy calculator if you want to use a different fabric count)

Downloadable Chart £1.50 currency convertor

Blackwork Swans

I remember my uncle who lives in Australia telling me about black swans and I loved them at first sight so I had to include one in my range of blackwork designs.

As well as imitating assisi embroidery this design also uses pattern darning, a simple but effective technique, in the border.

Approx. Design size: 9.3 x 5.4 inches on 14 count (use our handy calculator if you want to use a different fabric count)

Downloadable Chart £1.75 currency convertor

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