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.

Boo to You

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has posted another free chart on her website.  This one celebrates Halloween and is intended to be done all in beads, but of course you can use thread instead of you aren't into beading.
https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=35aa40000a83a7d7f36608669&id=b991a4c782

Thanks, Susan!

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.

Woodlawn Owns a Martha Washington Chair Cushion

One of the dozen chair cushions Martha Washington needlepointed has been given to Woodlawn Plantation. It was on display during the 2019 needlework exhibit.
https://savingplaces.org/stories/a-martha-washington-chair-cushion-puts-needlework-front-and-center-at-woodlawn#.XTm9Pi2ZN3k

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 25, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Winning Ribbons

Brenda worked as a judge's assistant a few years back, helping them as they judged a needlework exhibit.  She has tips she gleaned from listening to the judging and comments of the various judges as they went through all the pieces on exhibit.  Whether you plan to ever submit a piece for judging or not, it's interesting to hear what we could all do better.
https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2019/09/exhibitions-and-judging.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 12, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Holiday Mystery: Girl with a Deer

Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beadazzled has just announced the holiday mystery for 2019: Blu My Pink Turtle's "Girl with a Deer."  The details are on Ruth's blog.  As usual, I'll update this as Ruth posts about each lesson.  It's always fun to see what she comes up with.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/10/holiday-mystery-class/

Ruth's posted a hints video about lesson one.
https://www.facebook.com/bedeckedandbeadazzled/videos/500312040562072/

The first lesson is all about the deer.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/11/sweetness-overload/

Now we have the little girl stitched and snow on the tree.  AND Ruth posted a video to teach us how to ruche Petite Frosty Rays.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/12/what-a-cutie-pie/

She's done!  That background is fabulous!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/12/shes-finished/

Now we eagerly await a photo of this piece finished as a standup.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2021/12/sparkly-shiny-holidays/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 26, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.