Autumn Stitches

I saw this pattern in Mollie Makes, way back in issue twenty two, and wanted to make it straight away. There was something instantly very appealing to me about the slightly quirky, naive-style illustration and the different types of stitches. 

There were different elements to the pattern so that you could choose which season you wanted to celebrate - tulips for spring, falling leaves for autumn, that sort of thing - and I fully intended to do something spring-ish and colourful. But time ran away with me and there were other things I wanted to make more, and it was only recently that I dug the magazine out again, traced the images onto white linen with a fading pen, and started stitching.

I like the way it turned out. The satin stitch and french knots give it a tactile feel, like you want to run your fingertips over it, and I enjoyed the small details and the many colour changes. It was certainly fun to make.

I framed it in it's hoop because I liked the way it looked in a circle. I trimmed the fabric to a couple of inches bigger than the inner hoop, threaded a loose running stitch all around the edge, then tightened the thread and tied with a knot.

I hung it over Bella's desk. She likes it very much (she is - for now - a happy recipient of my homemade gifts) and has requested another one with a Christmas tree. I did think then how sweet four of these would be - spring, summer, autumn and winter - hung together, rather like the Brambly Hedge spring, summer, autumn and winter stories we are reading together so much lately, but not right now. I have made promises of a handmade Christmas (not because I think handmade is better, but because I know it is cheaper, and we are watching our pennies very carefully right now) and I need to get cracking with that.

Thank you SO MUCH for you wonderful and heartwarming response to my giveaway. It is now closed and I will announce the winner tomorrow.

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Edited to add: You can see my winter version of this scene here.