Giovanni's Alphabet
cross stitch pattern
by Tempting Tangles

Giovanni's Alphabet
CROSS STITCH PATTERN READY TO DOWNLOAD, DESIGNED BY Tempting Tangles

 

 

Designer Deborah A. Dick of Tempting Tangles tells of her inspiration for Giovanni's Alphabet:

 

"Inspiration for this design was provided in 1561 by artist and needlework designer, Giovanni Ostaus, who created his constructed-style alphabet as well as his other magnificent lace designs and presented them to the world in his “La Vera Perfittione del Disegno”, (The True Perfection of Design) , self-published in Venice, Italy. 

The chart format Giovanni used set a standard for design lay-out using grids or squares- it was the very first needlework chart or grid as we know and use it now to create our needlework!

The unique reticello lace alphabet has been re-created here with some changes to make it suitable for cross stitch. These large letters along with the hunt scene, and the wide band of reticello lace-like loops, eyelets, “picots” and other geometric shapes (created with back-stitches and straight stitches) make this a truly unique design. "

Creative Poppy says:

This is an exceptional needlework design that will tempt many an expert stitcher. While the base design is cross stitch, it includes many specialty stitches and is packed with interesting detail. It is exceptional also by its size and the elegant composition of the design. Note: The original piece was stitched over 1 on 28 count using silk floss.

The chart comes with both a color overview chart, and a detailed black and white chart with extensive instructions describing all specialty stitches.

A cross stitch pattern by Tempting Tangles.

>> see more patterns by Tempting Tangles
 

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Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
Giovanni's Alphabet

Chart size in stitches: 276 x 356
Suggested Needlework fabric: Zweigart Vintage Cashel 28 ct 3281/3009/55 Country Mocha
Finished size on 28 ct over 1: 9 2/3” w x 12 ¾” h
>> View size in my choice of fabric (fabric calculator)
Stitches: Cross stitch, Backstitch/Straight Stitch, Stem Stitch; Bargello; Algerian or Star Eyelet: Zigzag stitch; Bargello
Chart: Black & White, Color overview
Threads: 5 colors of Gloriana Silk plus 1 color of Classic Colorworks (or Dinky Dyes / DMC conversion)
Number of colors: 6

Other Supplies: Mill Hill seed beads

Themes: an embroidery composition based on a 16th century Venitian Alphabet, with lace-like loops, eyelets, picots
 

>> see more Sampler patterns by Tempting Tangles
>> see all Sampler patterns with Alphabets and monograms (all designers)

 

All patterns on Creative Poppy's website are printable and available for instant download.
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