Shamrock Biscornu and Fob - Free Cross Stitch Pattern!

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching, and I thought a little design to celebrate would be in order. This co-ordinates with the Thistle Stitching Accessories set I made for St. Andrew's day, but I have restrained myself and kept it to just the biscornu and fob this time - at least for this freebie!

I've chosen both a subdued "antique" and a "bright" colourway for this design. It is currently being model stitched by a very kind volunteer, so I don't have pictures yet. Like most of my biscornu designs, it only uses three colours, which makes coming up with your own colour scheme really easy :o)

There are two alternatives for the back of the design - one for Ireland, and one for Luck!

There's a matching fob with this design too, included in the chart pack!

If you would like a copy of the chart, please comment below and leave an email address unless yours is visible in your blog profile. Some people ask for charts but I have no way of getting them to them :o( Charts are sent in PDF format.

If you do stitch this design, I'd love to see the finished article - and there will be a prize for any I show on my blog!

Although there is no charge for this chart, 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

There is no obligation to make a donation - you will be sent the chart whether or not you choose to make a donation, as I appreciate that some people are not in a financial position to do so.

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 2010 N M Wray

February Biscornu - Linden Bee Designs

 

 

Design: February Biscornu - freebie design available here

Designer: Linden Bee Designs (i.e. me!)

Threads: DMC in three shades

Fabric: 14 count aida, white

The pictures are not of the best, because although it isn't raining or snowing here, the day is very grey and foggy! In your mental picture viewer, brighten the design until the aida is white and you'll get a better idea!

I've stuffed this quite lightly - what's your preferred way? I like a little body, but equally, I want to be able to sew through the middle easily to make the dimple...

This is another of my freebies, and I'm hoping to raise money for the MS Trust through donations. This month has been a little slow - only £4.00 so far, although every little helps and I'm amazingly grateful that people like my patterns enough to make donations! However, I'd love to see that amount increase ;o)

February Scissor Fob - Linden Bee Designs

 

 

 

Design: February Scissor Fob - freebie design available here

Designer: Linden Bee Designs (i.e. me!)

Threads: DMC in three shades

Fabric: 14 count aida

 

 

February brings the rain,

Thaws the frozen lake again.

The second in my monthly series. To be honest, I associate February more with snow, as it's my birthday this month, and it always snows on or around my birthday - which is Saturday, for people in the UK who want to be prepared! I was even born in a bad snow storm. Ma had gone into the hospital on the morning of the 19th and the midwives thought it was a false alarm, but because the weather had closed in even more after rounds had been done and ma was technically discharged, they kept her in overnight - which was a good job, as I arrived in time for breakfast! Of course, dads were not encouraged to stay and he'd been sent home earlier, which meant he'd to walk back in. Sixteen inches fell on the 19-20 February, and my parents lived ten miles from the hospital. Dad still says it was worth it! Love you too, dad! (Hmm, never asked my ma if she thought it was worth it... LOL!)

Anyway, to get back to my stitching - this design came out of my Valentine's design, and I wanted something less pink and which reflected the month as a whole. It stitched up pretty quickly, and looked a lot less grey than the colour scheme on the charting software seemed to make it - the blue is actually blue!

February Biscornu and Fob - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

February brings the rain,

Thaws the frozen lake again.

 

It's a little odd to be posting this when it's a lovely sunny day here, and when so many people are struggling with so much snow in the USA... although of course, the Canadians are struggling with rain at the Winter Olympics...  anyway, this is the second in my monthly series of biscornu - the Valentine one was by way of a bonus! - and I hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I did. You can possibly see the genesis of this design if you already have the Valentine one ;o)

The chart uses only three shades of DMC - 451, 452 and 932. I have stitched my own model, and will be posting pictures of it later today or tomorrow - it depends on when I can find my camera cable!

There's a matching fob with this design too, included in the chart pack!

If you would like a copy of the chart, please comment below and leave an email address unless yours is visible in your blog profile. Some people ask for charts but I have no way of getting them to them :o( Charts are sent in PDF format.

If you do stitch this design, I'd love to see the finished article - and there will be a prize for any I show on my blog!

Although there is no charge for this chart, 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

There is no obligation to make a donation - you will be sent the chart whether or not you choose to make a donation, as I appreciate that some people are not in a financial position to do so.

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 2010 N M Wray

January Biscornu & Fob: Snow - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

I had an idea - because of the popularity of my Christmas series - of making a monthly series of ornaments. But of course, creativity doesn't always come on demand, and my proposed "Bride's Tree" series, which I'd mentioned in emails to a couple of people just wasn't really working.

So, as I was doodling around, I've actually started a series of monthly Biscornu, and this is the first one. England is covered in a blanket of snow and ice at the moment so it's fairly easy to see where the inspiration came for this one!

January brings the snow, 

Makes our feet and fingers glow.

 

The chart uses only three shades of DMC - 931, 932 and 3753. I will be starting work on my own today, so hopefully will have a picture to share soon!

Edited to add: And there's a matching fob with this design too, included in the chart pack!

If you would like a copy of the chart, please comment below and leave an email address unless yours is visible in your blog profile. Some people ask for charts but I have no way of getting them to them :o( Charts are sent in PDF format.

If you do stitch this design, I'd love to see the finished article - and there will be a prize for any I show on my blog!

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

There is no obligation to make a donation - you will be sent the chart whether or not you choose to make a donation, as I appreciate that some people are not in a financial position to do so.

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 2010 N M Wray

New Year Biscornu

 

 

Design: New Year Biscornu - free chart available here 
Designer: Linden Bee Designs - i.e. me!
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 14 count aida, white
Finish: Biscornu
Trims: 2 green star shape buttons

This biscornu (and the fob) are based on my Thistle Stitching Accessories set, but with a twist to make them New Year designs. I found out that I'd not got the thistles just how I wanted them, so made an amendment and then had to email new charts out to those people who had kindly requested them. I'm sometimes a bit of a perfectionist... ;o)

The aida oddments I used made the counting for the border nice and easy, and aida helps the structure of the biscornu too, I feel, even if it is not quite as attractive a fabric as linen. It's good to use stash though, and I do like the finished effect.

New Year Scissor Fob

 

 

Design: New Year Fob - free chart available here 

Designer: Linden Bee Designs - i.e. me!

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 14 count aida, white

Finish: scissor fob

I decided to stitch this set from my own designs as my first project for 2010. I'm glad I did, because I noticed a couple of changes I wanted to make, and so it meant I could amend the chart and get the corrections out to other people, as well as making myself something I'm pretty pleased with.

I used aida as I basically had some small pieces in my stash, so starting the year frugally!

Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler

Design: Sow Dry, Set Wet 

Designer: Prairie Schooler (freebie)

Threads: DMc as charted

Fabric: 25 count natural linen

Finish: Thread fob, beaded edges and loop

I stitched this for my partner Patti on the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange. I wasn't sure if she celebrated Christmas, so I played it safe and stitched one of my favourite freebies for her.

I used some large count linen from my stash and stitched the design over one.

To make it a little more interesting, I personalised the back on another piece of this linen and then whipstitched and beaded the edges. I didn't want to puncture the fabric and use an eyelet for the thread ring, so I made a beaded loop inside - I think I may use that again in future, it was easier and looked neater, too.

Experimenting with Design - Free Bee Pattern!

I found a version of Jane Greenoff's Cross Stitch Pattern Creator for a quid in a charity shop, and I've been playing around with it. The software is showing its age - ten years old is positively antidiluvian in computer years - and it doesn't do some of the things I'm used to from programs like Photoshop but ... it's fun!

I've managed to convert a little piece of clip art into the design you can see above, plus managed to turn its symbol chart into a PDF format file, so all is well.

If anyone would like a copy of the chart, leave a comment below - including your email address! - and I'll get it over to your inbox. I haven't test stitched it, so there could very well be errors and icks because of the colours, so you may want to treat the suggested colours as just that - suggestions!

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

Cable Gloves - Free Pattern Here :o)

Design: Chunky Cabled Fingerless Mitts:
Pattern: Available below, I adapted it from a number of sources
Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky, in cream
Needles: 4mm double pointed

These were a Christmas gift to my sister. I had originally planned to make her some plain mitts with a different yarn I'd picked up, to go with her new red coat, but on knitting, I decided they really weren't her style, and went with something a little more classic.

I had to work with a number of patterns, as none were exactly right - many 'handwarmer' patterns seem to me to be very short in the wrist and/or the palm, or some were too big - a family trait for the entire family, whether blood or married in, are small hands. So, I came up with this pattern and I've made myself a pair too, in a different yarn, as well as the plain version.

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

Chunky Cabled Fingerless Mitts

You will need:

• about 60/70g of chunky yarn - I've used the James Brett Marble Chunky and Stylecraft Chunky with good results
• 4 double pointed needles - I use 4mm BUT I do knit loosely, and I have small hands. I would suggest 4.5mm or 5mm (the pattern I have adapted these from used US Size 8, which are equivalent to 5mm)
• a cable needle
  
• a small spare needle (a V shaped cable needle is ideal) or some waste yarn

Abbreviations:

K = knit
P = purl
M1 = make one by picking up the loop between stitches and twisting it as you knit
C6F = cable 6 forward (slip 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front of work, K3 then K3 from cable needle)

Left Hand:

Cast on 30 stitches and distribute evenly across 3 needles. I use a cable cast on, to give a little elasticity. Join without twisting.

Rows 1-10: *K1, P1 repeat from * to end
Rows 11-16: K10, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 17: K10, P2, C6F, P2, K10
Rows 18-22: K10, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 23: K4, M1, K2, M1, K4, P2, C6F, P2, K10 (this is the start of the thumb gusset)
Row 24: K12, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 25: K4, M1, K4, M1, K4, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 26: K14, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 27: K4, M1, K6, M1, K6, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 28: K16, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 29: K4, M1, K8, M1, K4, P2, C6F, P2, K10
Row 30: K18, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 31: K4, M1, K10, M1, K4, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 32: K5, move 10 stitches to waste yarn or spare needle, K5, P2, K6, P2, K10
Rows 33-34: K10, P2, K6, P2, K10
Row 35: K10, P2, C6F, P2, K10
Row 36-37: K10, P2, K6, P2, K10
Rows 38-43: *K1, P1 repeat from * to end
Cast off. I cast off knitwise, but you may want to cast off in rib.

Thumb: Join in yarn. K5 stitches onto one DPN, and K5 onto another. With third needle, pick up and K 4 stitches evenly across the gap (14 stitches). K2 rounds. Work 2 rounds in K1, P1 rib then cast off. Try the mitt on, because you can darn your ends in and tighten up the thumb gusset M1s at the same time if holes appear and you need to :o)

Right hand:

Cast on 30 stitches and distribute evenly across 3 needles.

Rows 1-10: *K1, P1 repeat from * to end
Rows 11-16: P2, K6, P2, K20
Row 17: P2, C6F, P2, K20
Rows 18-22: P2, K6, P2, K20
Row 23: P2, C6F, P2, K4, M1, K2, M1, K14 (this is the start of the thumb gusset)
Row 24: P2, K6, P2, K22
Row 25: P2, K6, P2, K4, M1, K4, M1, K14
Row 26: P2, K6, P2, K24
Row 27: P2, K6, P2, K4, M1, K6, M1, K14
Row 28: P2, K6, P2, K26
Row 29: P2, C6F, P2, K4, M1, K8, M1, K14
Row 30: P2, K6, P2, K28
Row 31: P2, K6, P2, K4, M1, K10, M1, K14
Row 32: P2, K6, P2, K5, move 10 stitches to waste yarn or spare needle, K15
Rows 33-34: P2, K6, P2, K20
Row 35: P2, C6F, P2, K20
Row 36-37: P2, K6, P2, K20
Rows 38-43: *K1, P1 repeat from * to end
Cast off.

Thumb: Work as for left hand.

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

Quaker ABC - Gencat

Design: Quaker ABC freebie
Designer: Gencat
Threads: House of Embroidery - Grapes
Fabric: 28 count evenweave

I stitched this as the same time as I stitched my piece for the Summer Quaker Exchange but this piece was stitched over one. Following the success of my octagonal finish for the pinkeep, I repeated the winning formula :O) but added ribbon and a tassel (made from threads pulled from the fabric) to turn this into a fob or knob hanger.

Freebie Exchange

Design: Bloom freebie available here

Designer: Lizzie*Kate

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 28 count evenweave (quaker cloth)

My freebie exchange for a recent Hooked on Exchanges exchange went to Laurie in the USA.



I so enjoyed this freebie that I stitched it twice - once over two as a pin cushion, and once as petit point over one to make the scissor fob.



Each is trimmed with a butterfly charm from my stash. I used the DMC conversions and some evenweave I had in my stash. The tassel on the scissor fob is made with threads pulled from the left over fabric.

You can see the rest of the exchange over on the HoE blog

Freebie Exchange Received

Yesterday was my dad's birthday - but I was the one who got a gorgeous stitchy package :o)

I was finishing a cushion for my dad (last minute, as always) when the postie knocked and I had to break off what I was doing to open it - and I'm so pleased I did, because Margie had stitched me something incredibly beautiful - a hardanger tassel - it's amazing! As well as the stitched item, Margie included a bath soak and flannel, and some really cute pegs too.

I will post photos soon, but today's task is to write my final essay of the semester and that's what I'm on the computer for ...

Thank you so much Margie, I just hope my photos will do justice to this lovely piece!

Buzzing Around Biscornu - Barbara Ana Designs

Design: Buzzing Around Biscornu

Designer: Barbara Ana Designs

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 14 count aida

I stitched this for the Monthly Finishing Challenge and I'm so proud of myself, because it all assembled really nicely, and worked!

I was a little worried that the colour fabrics I'd chosen were too dark and gloomy, but I think they look okay, they are a bit more "me" than a really clear blue would have been - not that I don't like the finished biscornu I've seen stitched on that, but it's not a fabric I have in my stash.



I charted my own design for the underside based on elements in the original because I didn't want to stitch for ages and not have it seen - the lettering says "buzzing around" but by the time I'd graphed the flowers and letters, I didn't really save much time.



I can see more biscornus in my stitching future :o)

Bunny Hop Scissor Fob Freebie - Brightneedle

Design: Bunny Hop Scissor Fob freebie
Designer: Brightneedle
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

I've stitched this before, for a gift, but this time, it's mine, all mine! :o) For something so small, the frog spent quite a lot of time visiting on the border, but some of that is my fault, for trying to stitch it without the chart on a moving bus ...

It's very sweet, and I will finish it as a scissor fob, although I'm wondering if I could make it into a teeny tiny pinkeep style fob ...

Swirly Sampler Freebie - version 2 - Bent Creek

Design: Swirly Sampler Freebie
Designer: Bent Creek
Fabric: 32 count linen, antique white
Threads: Gentle Arts Sampler Threads

This is the second version of the sampler - I used a finer fabric, but the difference in size wasn't as big as I'd hoped. This time, I used GAST to make it a little more subtle. This is my preferred version, so I'll keep this for myself! I may indeed make it into a pinkeep after all - I have some great fabric that will co-ordinate really well with it, plus a mountain of mount board to use up :o)

Swirly Sampler Freebie - version 1 - Bent Creek

Design: Swirly Sampler Freebie
Designer: Bent Creek
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 28 count jobelan, apricot

This was my first attempt at my pinkeep exchange for Hooked on Exchanges - I thought it came out a bit big for a pinkeep, but it's a really nice design! The Hermit likes it a lot, so I will probably frame it for him.

Geo Scissor Fob - MonkeyWorks

This little fob is one of my favourite designs for fobs - it's quick to stitch, but always looks effective, and can easily be made in any colour scheme to suit the recipient. This was stitched in blues and greens, and given away as my exchange on the Hooked on Exchanges Scissor Fob exchange. It now has a new home on a different continent, with Irene in Canada.

Joy to the World - Lizzie*Kate

I stitched this before I really got into the sheep collecting side of my stash, so of course I had to get it made up for this year! The design is an old Lizzie*Kate freebie called "Joy to the World".

Again, it's a padded wall hanging and I think I might quilt this one around the inner edge of the border.

I do all my making up by hand, as I haven't really got the space to set up a sewing machine, so it can sometimes take a while, but I find it quite relaxing - as long as everything goes right!


I'd like to say a big "thank you" to all my readers and commenters - I've noticed a few more people dropping by. Welcome to you all, I appreciate your kind words and your interest in my little bit of the web!

Fall Freebie - Trail Creek Farm

I stitched this for an exchange on the Bookcrossing UK Yahoo group I belong to - I made the design into a fridge magnet, as it was stitched on plastic canvas. I backed the design with white paper to hide reverse, and used UHU glue to stick on a (supposedly) self adhesive magnet.

I used different colours to those charted, but I think it looks pretty similar to the model. For a bit of extra pizazz I added a button from the bag I used on the Pumpkin Flower Sampler.


Design Details

Fabric: 14 count plastic canvas, fawn
Threads:various overdyed threads
Designer: Trail Creek Farm (Linda Ebright)
Chart Details: Fall - Freebie available from Trail Creek Farm's website
Stitch Count: 29H x 29V
Stitches Used: Cross Stitch, Back stitch
Threads Used: The Dye Is Cast: Aztec Gold, Pumpkin Patch. Weeks Dye Works Pistachio Nut. Cross stitch in two strands.
Embellishments: Heart shaped button.
Modifications Made: Own choice of threads, added button.