Blackwork embroidery kits and patterns

I designed the Weekenders range of blackwork embroidery kits for stitchers with limited time. Small enough to complete in a weekend, but not necessarily just for beginners, they are the ideal way to increase your blackwork skills.

The PayPal buttons below enable you to download the patterns straight to your computer. If you do not get brought back to the site to download the chart after making your payment, then please do e-mail me and I will provide the link you need.

If you would like to order the complete blackwork embroidery kits (with threads and fabric) you can do so from my manufacturer.

Red Butterfly

Design size: 4.25 x 3 inches

Rich burgundy and gold make this spectacular blackwork butterfly really stand out.

The top wings use a light fill, the bottom a heavier one. Then stitch the solid areas in cross stitch using two strands of floss.

Mounted with a burgundy matt and a gold frame to pick up the sparkly thread, it will catch the eye when hanging on your wall.

Downloadable Chart £2.25

Design size: 8 x 7 inches

A landscape in the style of Clarice Cliff worked in coloured blackwork with a little cross stitch for the roof of the cottage.

Start with the outlines and then work on the fill patterns in a variety of colours. Once you get into a rhythm, you can put the chart to one side while you work each section. To finish, pop that cottage roof in using cross stitch.

Downloadable Chart £3.25

Blackwork Snail

Design size: 6 x 3 inches

Use many variations of the same blackwork pattern in this design to create a stenciled effect for the snail shell. Add extra stitches to some sections to make them appear darker. It will amaze you how many ways you can change a single fill pattern!

Downloadable Chart £2.25

Blackwork Tommy Tortoise

Design size: 8 x 4 inches

Downloadable Chart £2.25

Can you see the highlights on this tortoise's glossy shell? Just leave those areas with no stitches - it couldn't be easier.

Increasing the number of stitches in the blackwork fill pattern as you reach the shadowed areas, gives depth to this blackwork embroidery kit of a tortoise. Work his legs and the bottom of the shell in two different fills, to give a delightful contrast to the design.

Erica, from Cumbria, UK, stitched this design and wrote in...

"I bought this to do for my mum, as she had always wanted another tortoise after ours died when I was a young girl.

She kept buying pottery ones until her fireplace was full of them. Dad commented that she could have bought a real one with all the money she had spent on the pottery ones!

I did this for her, because of her love of tortoises and my love of blackwork. It was really quick and easy to do. The chart was very easy to follow, and I kept it a secret from her until she received it for her birthday.

It now has pride of place in her hallway, and she even has two real tortoises now as well."

Calla Lily

Design size: 3.5 x 4.5 inches

Who says blackwork has to be black on white? The opposite colourway looks really effective in this little calla lily design.

Use thicker thread and more stitches to create the areas that look brighter. Work fewer stitches and allow the black fabric to show through to contrast.

Downloadable Chart £2.25