Thistle Stitching Accessories - Free Cross Stitch Charts!

Happy St Andrew's Day to all you Scots (and persons of Scottish descent!) out there :o)

To help celebrate, I've come up with these little designs for stitching accessories, incorporating the 'national flower' of Scotland, the thistle. The word Alba is Scots Gaelic for ... you've guessed - Scotland! I was only intending designing a biscornu, but I got a little carried away ... er, inspired!

The Biscornu, Needlebook and Pincushion charts are all interchangeable, so you can 'mix and match' the fronts and backs - my designs are only suggestions, after all!

If you would like copies of the charts, please comment below with your email address and I'll get them sent out to you - I'm working on a little more professional presentation this time round :o) I'm so pleased to get pattern requests - thank you for liking what I do!

Thistle Scissor Fob

Thistle Biscornu Front

 Thistle Biscornu Back

Thistle Needlebook Front

Thistle Needlebook and Pincushion Back

Thistle Pincushion Front

Thistle Scissor Pouch Front

Thistle Scissor Pouch Back

If you do stitch this set of charts, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for the first one I get!

Edited to add: If you feel so inclined, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make payment via the link in my sidebar or by clicking here.

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2009 N M Wray

Tartan Thistle Needlebook - Textile Heritage

Of course, being half Scottish, I have to stitch the odd thing which reflects my heritage ... haggis not being terribly attractive, I have a few thistles lurking in my stash...

In real life, the colours are really nice, and although they don't immediately say "Scotland" to me, they were nice to work with.

The design is much simpler - and quicker - to stitch than it looks, as long as you follow the instructions and construct the framework first!

The instructions called for the cross stitch to be done in three strands, but I find that looks terribly chunky, plus it's a pain to get twelve strands into one hole - I like stitching to be smooth and quick, not a tug of war! So I did it in two, and it looks fine to me!

The piece will be made into a needlebook, but I have reservations about the making up instructions included in the kit - has anyone done any Textile Heritage needlebooks like they say?

Design Details

Fabric: 14 count aida, white
Threads: unknown stranded cotton
Designer: Lesley Clarke
Chart Details: Tartan Thistles Needle Case - Textile Heritage (c) 2002
Stitch Count: 45H x 45V on each piece
Stitches Used: Cross Stitch, Back Stitch, Satin Stitch
Threads Used: unknown stranded cotton in dark purple, mid purple, pale purple, green, turquoise, grey.
Embellishments: None.
Modifications Made: Cross stitch and some back stitch done in two strands, not three.