Pattern Collection

Capture English Windmills in Blackwork: Three Patterns in Blue Floss

Three traditional English windmills, captured in blackwork and stitched in soft blue floss. Each pattern blends classic blackwork fills with crisp cross stitch details. Pick your favourite type of mill, or stitch all three as a connected set. £2.25 each as instant PDF downloads.

When I was a child, my family holidayed in Norfolk every summer, and I was fascinated by the working windmills in that area. So few traditional windmills remain today that I felt it was important to preserve them in the way I know best: with needle and thread. I chose blue floss for the collection because the colour reminded me of the classic Dutch tiles that also feature beautiful windmills.

Tower Mill Smock Mill Post Mill

Windmill 1: The Classic Tower Mill

£2.25 Instant PDF download

Begin with the iconic cylindrical Tower Mill. Made from brick, these sturdy structures let the farmer turn only the cap on top to position the sails into the wind.

A delight to stitch with 9 different fill patterns that resemble trees, flower beds and brickwork.

Finished design size: 4.4 x 5.3 in on 14 count

Techniques: 9 blackwork fill patterns, cross stitch details

Fabric: Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave

Blackwork needlework of a tower mill stitched in blue floss Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: 9 different fill patterns give you a small library of blackwork textures in one project, so the stitching never gets repetitive.

Windmill 2: The English Smock Mill

£2.25 Instant PDF download

Next, create a beautiful Smock Mill, named for the garment farmers used to wear. Typically English and often found in Kent, this design features a hexagonal wooden body.

The angled shape gives the blackwork patterning a chance to play with sides and corners that don't show up in the other two windmills.

Finished design size: 4.8 x 5.6 in on 14 count

Techniques: 7 unique blackwork patterns, cross stitch details

Fabric: Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave

Blackwork design of an English smock mill stitched in blue floss Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: The hexagonal body lets the blackwork shift direction across the structure, so the patterning has rhythm without needing to be busy.

Windmill 3: The Historic Post Mill

£2.25 Instant PDF download

Finally, stitch the historic open-trestle Post Mill, an early English design where the entire windmill body turned around a central post.

This is the simplest of the three, perfect for a relaxing project or as your first taste of the collection before tackling the Tower or Smock.

Finished design size: 4.2 x 5.6 in on 14 count

Techniques: 3 blackwork fills + complementary cross stitch

Fabric: Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave

Blackwork design of an open trestle post mill stitched in blue floss Add to Cart Price excludes UK/EU VAT (added at checkout)
Why this design works: The simplest structure of the three. A good starting point if you want to test the technique before committing to the more detailed mills.
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A Story Behind the Stitching

Meeting the Saxtead Green Post Mill

On the way to a weekend break, my husband spotted a windmill as we drove through a village in Suffolk. We made a note to stop on our way home.

When we did, the wonderful Saxtead Green Post Mill was right in front of us, with its sails turning in the wind. I was so inspired I had to capture its spirit in this very design.

Visit Saxtead Green Post Mill on the English Heritage website for more on its history.

Saxtead Green Post Mill in Suffolk with sails turning in the wind
See What a Fellow Stitcher Created

Erica's Framed Trio

Erica from Cumbria stitched all three windmills and shared her stunning finished project. I love how she mounted them together in a single frame, with the centre windmill raised to create a beautiful sense of depth.

Thanks for sharing your finished project, Erica. I love seeing how stitchers interpret my designs.

Erica's framed display of all three blackwork windmill designs mounted together with the centre piece raised
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