It’s 30th July today, which means it’s World Embroidery Day as well. And I’m sharing a free cross-stitch pattern!
The Pattern
Hearts are never wrong and neither is kindness. I’m calling this little thing “Big Heart” and you’re welcome to download it for your personal use.
The size is 39 x 24 stitches (2,79″ x 1,71″) on 14-count Aida or 28-count evenweave/linen. Needle recommendation is size 26 on Aida, and 26 or 24 on evenweave/linen. Stitch with two strands.
If you want to put it on 6-count weave as side panel of a pouch, the design measures 6,5″ x 4″. Or double the stitch size by jumping over two Aida squares instead of one to blow it up even further.
Download the pattern here.
The Background
The design came about after flicking through numerous cross-stitch magazines in which a disappearingly small percentage of patterns featuring humans displayed any other skin colour than white.
It is customary to add a so-called thread key with details for brand and colour numbers if you want to recreate the pattern exactly. But not even alternative skin colours are offered there, so we end up with a sea of heteronormative couples with light skin in one issue after the other. That’s hardly inclusive and representative of our planet, and as we all know representation matters immensely.
This goes against everything I believe in so here’s a bunch of hearts in some “nude” colours that include not only the lightest options but deep black ones as well. And some more colours to match your biggest organ of the body, if you originate in medium-tone locations of the world.
Conclusion
If you’re well versed in other brands, please share your tips in the comments for colour substitutions! I’ve only ever stitched with DMC, but know at least Anchor has a rather wide range of colours today.
I’d love to see what you make with my pattern so share your creations on Instagram with hashtags #NMPatterns and #NMPBigHeart if you like!
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