One Point Mind
Mystery Cross Stitch Sampler SAL "Nature Does Not Hurry" - Part 1
Part 1 of Pattern
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This is part one of a five-part mystery stitch-a-long. Thank you for being a part of the stitch-a-long!
On the first day of each month the next installment of the stitch-a-long pattern chart will be available for download.
If you would like a hard copy of the pattern, but are unable to print it, you can purchase a hard copy and have it mailed to you for $5 (includes postage):
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About the Chart: Note that where the chart shows a backstitch in black, you can choose whatever color you like, just be sure to use 2 threads (if fabric is 18 ct or higher use 1 thread).
The backstitch shown in red, again can be in whatever color you like, but requires only one thread!
Also, be aware that because the pattern is being released in installments, some areas in the chart may appear blank, but are actually areas reserved for a future installment. Be sure to leave those spaces blank!
About Thread Color: The chart shows that the piece is worked only in the thread color DMC 3847, you are not obligated to use the same color. In fact, I encourage you to use a different color or multiple colors! Let yourself be creative! If you are new to cross stitch, you may want to choose one or two colors to work with, so you can focus on learning to stitch, without having to cut and secure a lot of threads to change colors. There are many beautiful traditional cross stitch samplers that are completed in a single thread color. Keep in mind, the more colors you choose, the more work the piece will require. If you want to vary colors, but don't want to get bogged down with a lot of thread changing, try choosing a limited palette of 2-4 colors. Many limited palette cross stitch samplers are striking! Check out this website for inspiration and to help you choose colors using a limited palette.
The backstitch shown in red, again can be in whatever color you like, but requires only one thread!
Also, be aware that because the pattern is being released in installments, some areas in the chart may appear blank, but are actually areas reserved for a future installment. Be sure to leave those spaces blank!
About Thread Color: The chart shows that the piece is worked only in the thread color DMC 3847, you are not obligated to use the same color. In fact, I encourage you to use a different color or multiple colors! Let yourself be creative! If you are new to cross stitch, you may want to choose one or two colors to work with, so you can focus on learning to stitch, without having to cut and secure a lot of threads to change colors. There are many beautiful traditional cross stitch samplers that are completed in a single thread color. Keep in mind, the more colors you choose, the more work the piece will require. If you want to vary colors, but don't want to get bogged down with a lot of thread changing, try choosing a limited palette of 2-4 colors. Many limited palette cross stitch samplers are striking! Check out this website for inspiration and to help you choose colors using a limited palette.
Finished prepared fabric
Where to Start Stitching: Often the place to start stitching a pattern is at the very center of the fabric, but because the pattern is being released in installments, beginning at the center of the cloth is not as easy or possible. What I recommend to do once you have gridded your fabric (see gridding here), number the 10 x 10 blocks to correspond to the 10 x 10 blocks on the pattern chart. Each 10 x 10 box equals ten stitches, so you would number the 10 x 10 in 10s starting from the left side to the right and from the top to the bottom. (10, 20, 30, 40, etc.)
IMPORTANT:
Once you have numbered your fabric, it will be easy to choose a place to start. All you do is match the 10 x 10 box on the chart to the corresponding 10 x 10 square on your fabric and begin your stitching in that corresponding 10 x 10 box.
IMPORTANT:
- Start counting the 10 x 10 boxes after whatever many extra inches of fabric allowance you have. EX: if your fabric has 3 inches of allowance, you would begin counting the 10 x 10 boxes at the first full 10 x 10 box at 1.5 inches on each side.
- Unless you use washable ink, be sure to write the numbers near the outside edge of the allowance fabric so they will be hidden later by framing. (Alternatively, you can stitch the numbers in the 10 x 10 boxes just outside the design space, then remove the number stitches after you are finished.) (I also stitch Xs in the 10 x 10 boxes outside the design area so I know exactly which 10 x 10 boxes I will be stitching in. See photo.)
Once you have numbered your fabric, it will be easy to choose a place to start. All you do is match the 10 x 10 box on the chart to the corresponding 10 x 10 square on your fabric and begin your stitching in that corresponding 10 x 10 box.
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Contemplative Cross-Stitch Practice
While it is not required, I encourage you to devote at least some of your stitching time to contemplative practice. Give yourself the gift of some quiet, focused practice, which studies have shown induces relaxation and improves overall well-being. Try spending at least 15-20 minutes of your stitching as contemplative practice and see how your experience of crafting differs. You may even want to continue stitching contemplatively longer!
Read about how to practice contemplative cross-stitching here.
While it is not required, I encourage you to devote at least some of your stitching time to contemplative practice. Give yourself the gift of some quiet, focused practice, which studies have shown induces relaxation and improves overall well-being. Try spending at least 15-20 minutes of your stitching as contemplative practice and see how your experience of crafting differs. You may even want to continue stitching contemplatively longer!
Read about how to practice contemplative cross-stitching here.
Keeping a Journal
You may also be interested in keeping a journal for your contemplative crafting practice. You don't have to be a good writer or have experiencing journalling to keep a contemplative crafting practice journal. It doesn't need to have a structure, but it certainly can if structure appeals to you. All that is required is a simple notebook and a writing utensil (or a computer if you prefer) and a few minutes to record what you noticed during and/or immediately after your crafting practice. Journalling is a wonderful way track your development of contemplation practice and observe how your well-being improves over time!
Read about how to keep a contemplative crafting journal here.
You may also be interested in keeping a journal for your contemplative crafting practice. You don't have to be a good writer or have experiencing journalling to keep a contemplative crafting practice journal. It doesn't need to have a structure, but it certainly can if structure appeals to you. All that is required is a simple notebook and a writing utensil (or a computer if you prefer) and a few minutes to record what you noticed during and/or immediately after your crafting practice. Journalling is a wonderful way track your development of contemplation practice and observe how your well-being improves over time!
Read about how to keep a contemplative crafting journal here.
Please note: This design and chart is © (copyrighted) by A.S. Galbraith (One Point Mind) 2021. You are granted a limited license to stitch this design for personal use only. Under this license you may print a working copy to stitch from. This design and chart is exclusive to A.S. Galbraith (One Point Mind), and only available to download via the website: www.onepointmind.com