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Looking for blackwork designs?

Check out my downloadable blackwork patterns.


Want to learn more about blackwork?

Find out the answers to the following questions...

Do I start with the outlines?

How do I work fill patterns?

What stitch should I use?

Do you have an ebook I can download?

If you have other questions why not ask on the forum lower down this page.


Free patterns to try out

Want to have a go? Try out the following freebies...

free beginner's blackwork chart

harvest time coaster

blackwork bookmark with celtic embroidery

shaded pears design


Downloadable Blackwork Designs

Click on the pictures below to go to each page and view the designs.

Blackwork Rocking Horse Thumbnail Clarice Cliffe Blackwork Thumbnail Blackwork Windmill Thumbnail
Blackwork Rose Thumbnail Blackwork Garden Sampler Thumbnail Blackwork Figures Polaroid
Mischief Thumbnail Blackwork Knight Thumbnail Blackwork Geisha Girl Thumbnail
Blackwork Mermaid Thumbnail Blackwork Lacemaker Thumbnail Blackwork Angel Thumbnail
Blackwork Elephant Thumbnail Wisdom Thumbnail Blackwork Cats Thumbnail


Show and tell

Whichever you choose, enjoy stitching the design and then perhaps come back and tell others about the experience and share a photo or two of your work.

After all, half the pleasure in stitching something, is in getting the compliments from family and friends once it is completed and on show.


Ask a question about blackwork embroidery

If you are new to a type of needlework such as blackwork then you may have questions you want to ask. Take this opportunity to get the answers you need, or to help other visitors by answering their questions.

Give your question a title

What Other Visitors Have Asked

Click below to see questions (and answers) from other visitors to this page...

A Beginner's Question  starstarstarstarstar
I'm a beginner at embroidery. Is it practical to begin with blackwork, which is what I'd love to learn to do?

Thank you for any advice you can give ...

Blackwork book  starstarstarstarstar
Is there a good instructional book on 'Blackwork' that shows you how to pick-out the 'pathways' or 'journeys'? Also, is it necessary to create a pattern ...

chart interface with aida fabric  starstarstarstarstar
As a beginner in Blackwork I am confused by the chart showing squares of 10 x 10 small squares within a 'frame' while the Aida fabric shows 14 x 14 small ...

Quick question about blackwork  starstarstarstarstar
Hello thank you in advance for taking the time to help answer my question. I'm a cross stitcher and am trying to do blackwork now,

I have a wonderful ...

Stole on Pearl  starstarstarstarstar
Could I use the same technique on a cross stitch I am doing I wonder? I'm stitching Lavender and Lace 'The Wedding' and I was looking at the photograph ...

Blackwork Fill Patterns  starstarstarstarstar
Hi Carol,

Do you make up all your fill patterns for blackwork out of your head? Also, are there any places one can go to get blackwork fill patterns ...

printed blackwork book  starstarstarstarstar
I would like to send a money order for a hard copy for the Beginners for Blackwork? Is this possible? Thank you.

blackwork cuff on an italian renaissance gown  starstarstarstarstar
I'm about to start a copy of a renaissance gown of Eleonora of toledo. I Found this very small painting in Berlin and at once decided to make this costume....

First Blackwork Project
- and I need your help!
  Not rated yet
I have just received your "Blackwork Dogs Needlecase" kit for my birthday, and it's my first blackwork project. I'm afraid I don't quite understand the ...

What stitch do I use for the dragon  Not rated yet
Hi, I'm new to blackwork and I'm about to start the Blackwotk Oriental Dragan pattern of your sister site X-Calibre but I can't figure out what stch is ...

Blackwork count  Not rated yet
I am using Zweigart Belfast linen 32 count how many threads to the stitch. Thank you Margaret.

Carol answers...

I am not totally sure that I understand ...

Half stitches  Not rated yet
I have get confused with half stitches. I have 28 count linen
cross stitch up two over two.

With half stitches how do I now which way they should ...

Fill pattern in Pearl's Dress  Not rated yet
I bought your kit for "Pearl" and have completed all the outlines in double running stitch , however no matter how many methods I have tried for the ...

Celtic (Welsh) Blackwork  Not rated yet
I would like to do a piece of Blackwork with a Welsh flavour for my fiance, however the only things I've seen are a Welsh alphabet sampler and a Welsh ...

How to carry threads in Blackwork rooster  Not rated yet
I just found this ste yesterday and purchased your beginner book on Blackwork and also the rooster pattern .

Today while looking at the pattern I ...

Where can I get this blackwork kit  Not rated yet
Hi, i have recently seen this blackwork framed picture for sale on ebay and would love to try stitching it myself. I have asked the lady who is selling ...

Don't Understand Directions  Not rated yet
I don't understand the directions for the fill pattern 'Arrows and Diamonds'. How is it that one is suppose to create the 'horizontal' pathways without ...

double running stitch direction  Not rated yet
Question: When doing a running stitch for blackwork, how does one determine which direction to follow. Leaves off stems, items that are separated, etc....


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I'm so glad I discovered your site!

I've recently decided to explore blackwork which is very appealing to me. Your tips and explanations have been very helpful in getting me started.

Thank you for the excellent work that you are doing. I look forward to visiting your site often.

Melissa from California


I love it!

Your pages are very nice and interesting.

I love your ezine, as I love blackwork. This kind of embroidery is not very common in our country but I hope it will change in the near future. As I am a member in few discussion groups I try to popularize the embroidery on every occasion I can attend:-)

Thank you very much for your work you already done. I'm looking forward for next issues of your ezine.

Jana from Czech Republic


Carol's ebooks

Cross Stitch Designer Ebook Cover

Stitch your Own Business ebook



Owls Cover

Cross Stitch Birds ebook




Bw Cover
Blackwork for beginners



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