Pattern Collection

3 Assisi Patterns with a Blackwork Twist: Dogs, Cats and Swans

Three Assisi-inspired pattern designs, each finished as a useful needlecase rather than another framed picture. Stitch your favourite, then turn it into something you reach for every time you sit down to stitch. Charts download instantly as PDFs, £2.00 each.

Dogs Cats Swans

Blackwork Dogs: Scottish Charm Meets Modern Flair

£2.00 Instant PDF download

Blackwork Dogs pairs West Highland White and Scottish terriers in a 6 x 3 inch needlecase design. The clever counterchange effect creates eye-catching filled and empty areas, and sparkling metallic thread outlines add a touch of luxury.

Originally crafted for Classic Stitches magazine, this is a fresh take on Assisi that combines classic cross stitch with contemporary blackwork. Stitch it as a needlecase for a dog-loving friend, or frame it as a small statement piece.

Design size: 6 x 3 in on 14 count

Fabric: Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave

Techniques: Cross stitch + blackwork counterchange, metallic thread

Blackwork dogs Assisi pattern featuring West Highland White and Scottish terriers Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: The counterchange effect turns negative space into part of the design, so empty fabric becomes visual rhythm.

Feline Finesse: Assisi Cats with Attitude

£2.00 Instant PDF download

Blackwork Cats captures the essence of feline charm in a larger 8 x 5 inch design. Both mischievous and serene cat personalities sit within a sophisticated diamond border that adds depth and visual interest.

Stitch it as a needlecase for a cat-loving friend, or frame it as a statement piece for your own wall. The Assisi technique fills the background and leaves the cats themselves as crisp negative space, so the personalities lead the eye.

Design size: 8 x 5 in on 14 count

Fabric: Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave

Techniques: Assisi negative-space fills, blackwork diamond border

Blackwork cats Assisi pattern with diamond border Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: The diamond border frames the cats without competing with them, so the personalities lead the eye.

Elegant Swans: A Blackwork Ballet

£2.00 Instant PDF download

Elegant Swans is a 9.3 x 5.4 inch design inspired by Swan Lake. Alongside the contrasting filled and void areas of classic Assisi, this pattern incorporates pattern darning in the border for an extra layer of texture.

The facing swans symbolise transformation, echoing the ballet's themes. Imagine Odette's story unfolding beneath your fingers as the border builds, motif by motif.

Design size: 9.3 x 5.4 in on 14 count

Fabric: Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave

Techniques: Assisi fills + pattern darning border

Elegant blackwork swans Assisi pattern inspired by Swan Lake Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: Pattern darning in the border adds a third texture, so the eye keeps moving without ever leaving the design.
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Why These Designs Work

Three Patterns, Three New Techniques

Each design earns its place in your sewing box. Stitch one as a needlecase you actually reach for, learn a new technique while you're at it, and skip the "where will I hang another framed piece" problem altogether.

Functional finishes

Each pattern is sized to become a needlecase: a useful keep-by-the-armchair item rather than another framed piece for the wall.

One new technique each

Counterchange with metallic thread (Dogs). Diamond border (Cats). Pattern darning in the border (Swans). Build your repertoire one chart at a time.

Low-commitment price

£2.00 each as instant PDF downloads. Affordable enough to try the technique before committing weeks of evening stitching.

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