A Tutorial For Creating Symmetrical Needlepoint Plaids

Courtesy of Jane Gable, here are instructions for creating a symmetrical needlepoint plaid based on dates by working skip row basketweave. Jane says feel free to share her instructions for her take on needlepoint plaid, sometimes known as birthday plaids since birth dates are often used to create the pattern.

STRAIGHT SYMMETRICAL PLAID

1. Choose your date
2. Choose your threads
3. Choose your colors, one color for each number
4. Choose your color order

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:

1. The ONLY stitch you will be using is every other row basketweave.
2. You COUNT the unstitched rows when counting out your number.
3. Always use 10 stitches for a zero in your date.
4. Partial dates are just fine...January 11,1948 can be shortened to January 11, 48 for example.

Deciding the dimensions of your canvas:  Using the date July 12, 1942, the center strip on your canvas will be 7 stitches wide, on each side of that, making a mirror image there will be an additional 28 stitches.  Decide how many repeats, or partial repeats of your date you want.  

Count the stitches both vertically and horizontally making a square.  Mark this on your canvas.

When you have finished your first date completion on both sides of your center column, start again with the 7 stitch column and work out from there.

EACH SIDE OF YOUR DESIGN WILL BE A MIRROR IMAGE OF THE OTHER SIDE WORKING OUT FROM YOUR INITIAL 7 STITCH COLUMN.

In a symmetrical design, the first number in the date (the month) is ALWAYS the center of your design and each side is a mirror image of the other side.

To achieve your symmetrical straight plaid, start in the CENTER of your canvas with the FIRST number of your date.  Stitch a vertical column the length you want, number of repeats of your date, in every other row basketweave.

When you reach your desired length, go back to the top and start on either side of your first column with the 2nd number in your date.  Continue this way, on both sides of your center column until you have achieved the number of date repeats you want.

To complete your plaid, go to the UPPER RIGHT CORNER of your canvas.    STARTING WITH THE LAST NUMBER IN YOUR DATE, work horizontally across filling in the unstitched areas of your canvas to complete rows corresponding to the numbers in your date.  Using the January date, your stitched rows will be this number of stitches wide...1 - 11- 1- 9 - 4 - 8

Jane Gable

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 29, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.