November Ornament Topaz
Designed and Stitched by Joyce Lukomski

Materials:

• 18-count canvas - 8" tall by 6" wide
• Stretcher bars - to fit canvas rectangle
• Needle Necessities Floss Overdyed - Color #118 (gold)
• Au Ver a Soie Soie d'Alger - Color #F-15 (pale old gold)
  You may substitute another floss-type silk brand or DMC or Anchor embroidery floss.
• Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 16 - Color #2122 (dark bronze)
• Kreinik Metallic Braid Size 16 - Color #013 (bright copper)
• Kreinik Silk Serica - Color #2014 (gold)
• Madiera Lacquered Jewels - Color #482 (variegated copper)
  Also called Bijoux - same color number
• Size 11 Seed Beads - brass color
• Small Bugle Beads (1/4" size) - dark copper
• Nymo beading thread
• #22 and #24 tapestry needles
• #10 sharp for beading needle
• Refer to Finishing Instructions for materials needed for finishing the ornament.

There is no shape template for this ornament. Begin stitching by finding the approximate center of your canvas. From the center, count up 34 canvas threads, then count 26 threads to the right. This is the top right corner of the ornament.

The stitching diagrams are in numbered sequence. Each successive diagram shows the previous stitches in gray and the current stitches in solid black.

The picture at right shows the stitching details.

Outside Border of Ornament

Work Smyrna Cross Stitches over 4 canvas threads to form the outside border of the ornament. Do this in 2 steps:

1. Use Kreinik Metallic Braid #2122 to stitch the cross stitches containing diagonal stitches. You will stitch 13 crosses along the top and bottom horizontal edge. The left and right edges each contain a total of 17 cross stitches.

2. Use Kreinik Metallic Braid #013 to stitch the upright cross stitches on top of the stitches from Step a.

Place a bugle bead in each space showing between the Smyrna Crosses, as illustrated in the Bead Placement Diagram below. Use Nymo beading thread or another strong thread. Use the #10 sharp needle with the thread doubled in the needle. You will be attaching these beads by making a "cradle" for them. That is, you will perform an added step that sets the bead in place so that it doesn't wiggle around. First, stitch through the bead hole from the bottom of the bead to the top of the bead as you ordinarily would. Now, bring the needle up through the canvas again in the same hole as your first stitch. Separate the two threads of thread and spread them with your fingers so that one strand lies on the left side of the bugle bead and the other lies on the right side of the bead. Sink the needle at the top of the bead and pull the thread taut. For clarification, see the Bead Attachment Diagram above.

Bead Placement

Tent Stitch Inner Border

Work one row of regular tent stitch (continental) around the inside edge of the Smyrna Cross frame using one strand of Kreinik Silk Serica 2014 as it comes from the spool.

Center Area

The center area is worked with a Laid Filling Stitch, consisting of four steps.

1. Use 3 strands of Needle Necessities Floss Overdyed 118 to stitch long horizontal stitches that extend across the entire center area. The first stitch at the top of the area is one thread below the tent stitches. There are 4 canvas threads between each long stitch. When you have completed the horizontal stitches (there are 15 of them), work vertical stitches that extend across the entire area, again leaving one thread empty between the tent stitches at the side and the first long vertical stitch. Be sure to use a laying tool so that the individual strands lie perfectly straight.

2. Repeat Step1 with one strand of Kreinik Silk Serica 2014 (as it comes from the spool). These horizontal stitches are located one thread above the Step 1 stitches, with the vertical stitches one thread to the right of the Step 1 stitches.

3. Repeat one more time with three strands of Au Ver a Soie Soie d'Alger F-15. The horizontal stitches are located one thread above the Step 2 stitches, with the vertical stitches one thread to the right of the Step 2 stitches.

4. Use two strands of Madiera Lacquered Jewels 482 to stitch large cross stitches (over four canvas threads), tying down the long stitches. Notice that these are worked checkerboard style - that is, do a stitch, skip a stitch.

When you have completed all four steps of the Laid Filling, sew a Size 11 brass seed bead (or Delica bead) where the cross stitches meet. Each bead is sewn on by an upright stitch over two canvas threads. You will be bringing up the needle at an angle along the top of the laid stitches and sliding the needle slightly under the laid stitches to return to the back of the canvas. Be sure to work the second step of the bead attachment as described above so that the seed beads are "cradled."

Outside Edge of Ornament

Use Kreinik Metallic Braid 013 to stitch an outline stitch around the perimeter of the ornament. Then work two rows of tent stitch beyond the outline stitch (for finishing purposes) using the Needle Necessities Overdyed Floss 118.

In addition to finishing this piece as an ornament, you may adorn yourself with this lovely piece, wearing it as a pendant. Joyce advises the following finishing procedure for a pendant:

• Trim the canvas to within one inch of the stitching on all sides.
• Fold the excess canvas the back and finger press flat.
• Sew gold color Ultrasuede or felt to the back of the canvas with tiny overcast stitches.

Joyce plans to use two layers of Ultrasuede, forming a hidden pocket for a credit card or other hidden treasure. Complete the pendant with a twisted cord for hanging it around your neck.