The shamrock is a national emblem of Ireland.
These are instructions to make a pretty cross-stitched shamrock.
If worked on 18 count aida will fit in clear plastic window keyring.
Alternatively, you could frame it or put it inside a window card for St. Patrick's Day.
Equipment
- 18 count aida, looks good on deep red (less fine aida would be easier for brownies but wont fit in keyring)
- Needle
- Cotton embroidery thread in colours specified or you own choice
- Clear plastic keyring fob
- Thin paper to back embroidery
- Scissors
- Pencil
Instructions
- Find centre of piece of aida. It may make life easier to mark the centre
lines with large running stitches in a contrasting colour thread,
which can be pulled out when completed.
- Cross stitches should be worked with two threads, separated from the six.
Backstitch should be worked with one. Complete all the crosses first
and then the backstitch can be worked on top.
- Starting from the centre of the design follow the pattern,
keeping the top stitch of each cross going the same way.
This will leave a better finish. Start each line of thread without a
knot if possible. Leave a short end at the back of the material and
catch it into your first few stitches. At the end of the line or when the
thread finishes take the needle through to the back and thread through the
back of a few stitches to secure. Try to keep the tension even.
- If mounting in a keyring:
When the design is complete, use the window piece of the keyring
as a template and mark with a pencil round the design. Cut carefully
just inside this line. Do the same with the thin paper.
Place the embroidery in the keyring face down then place the paper on
top and press the back in.
We cannot reproduce the design here due to reasons of copyright,
but you can obtain it from ????
