Pattern Collection

Mischief the Cat: 3 Victorian Blackwork Patterns You'll Love Stitching

Step into a cosy Victorian world where Mischief the cat is always up to something. Three little scenes (kitchen, parlour, and garden) bring this curious cat to life through classic blackwork textures and crisp cross stitch.

Clear charts and simple techniques mean the stitching feels calm and satisfying, even if you're newer to blackwork. £2.50 each as instant PDF downloads.

In the Kitchen In the Parlour In the Garden

Mischief in Store Confident Beginner

£2.50 Instant PDF download

A warm kitchen vignette full of small details. Steady blackwork fills, tidy outlines, and just enough cross stitch to give the cook and the cat their charm. Mischief, of course, has spotted a mouse.

Finished size: 7.6 x 6.4 in (19.3 x 16.3 cm) on 14 count

Stitch count: 104w x 89h

Skill level: Confident beginner

Techniques: Blackwork fills, cross stitch characters, simple outlines

Peek inside the chart

Chart snippet for Mischief in Store blackwork pattern
Victorian kitchen blackwork scene with a cook and a cat eyeing a mouse, Mischief in Store pattern Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: The kitchen setting gives the blackwork fills (tiles, walls, dresser) plenty of texture to play with, while the cat-and-mouse moment carries the story.

Mischief in the Making Confident Beginner

£2.50 Instant PDF download

A quiet parlour moment you can sink into. Gentle patterning, satisfying progress, and a finished scene that looks wonderfully old-world. A lady stitches by the fire while Mischief, naturally, has eyes on a mouse.

Finished size: 9 x 8.25 in (22.9 x 21.0 cm) on 14 count

Stitch count: 116w x 125h

Skill level: Confident beginner

Techniques: Blackwork wallpaper and furniture fills, cross stitch figures

Peek inside the chart

Chart snippet for Mischief in the Making blackwork pattern
Victorian parlour blackwork with a lady stitching and a cat watching a mouse, Mischief in the Making pattern Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: The largest of the three. Wallpaper fills give you long, rhythmic stretches of blackwork while the figures keep the scene full of life.

Mischief in the Air Confident Beginner

£2.50 Instant PDF download

A light garden scene with delicate foliage fills and that one-more-motif rhythm. Peaceful to stitch, lovely to finish. A lady and her companion stand by the birdbath while Mischief watches from a branch above.

Finished size: 7.6 x 6.4 in (19.3 x 16.3 cm) on 14 count

Stitch count: 106w x 89h

Skill level: Confident beginner

Techniques: Airy blackwork fills, foliage textures, cross stitch figures

Peek inside the chart

Chart snippet for Mischief in the Air blackwork pattern
Victorian garden blackwork by a birdbath, lady with companion and cat on a branch, Mischief in the Air pattern Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: Lighter, airier fills than the indoor scenes. A good change of pace once you've stitched the kitchen or parlour and want a brighter feel.
✦ ✦ ✦
A Confident-Beginner Collection

Three Small Wins, One Cosy World

All three Mischief patterns are designed to feel calm under your needle. The blackwork fills are addictive (tiles, wallpaper, foliage), the figures are crisp cross stitch, and the techniques stay simple throughout. Stitch them in any order. Each one stands alone, but they look lovely as a set on the same wall.

Calm to stitch

Rhythmic blackwork fills you can settle into without counting tricky fractional stitches or chasing scattered colour changes.

Story in every scene

Each design has Mischief up to something. The narrative gives you a reason to come back to the hoop after a busy day.

Stitch as a set

Three scenes that work as a trio for a wall, or one at a time as a small, finishable project. £2.50 each.

You Might Also Like

Build Your Blackwork Skills

New to Blackwork? Start Here

The Blackwork for Beginners ebook teaches the proven method for a neat, reversible back. Eight guided projects, £9.95 instant download.

Love Cats? Stitch the Needlecase

My Assisi cats needlecase pattern blends blackwork and Assisi techniques into a useful, charming finish. £2.00 PDF download.