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Finished Size: 128w x 30h
Threads: Full cross - 2 threads
Half cross - 1 thread
Algerian Eyelet - 2 threads
This is actually fairly easy to do. There are only 3 colors. I've used mauve here, but any of your favorite or Easter colors will work well. The pattern is repeating, so works up fairly quickly. Note: I stitch top to bottom (and sometimes bottom to top) rather than across, which I could never get the hang of. If you've mastered the "correct" technique, then the chevrons may prove more of a challenge.
The chevron background pattern is created with HALF STITCHES run in opposite directions. On my finished towel, I did not backstitch the center egg crosses and put them here primarily to show the outline of the pattern. The over-2 cross on the verticle bar on each side is a small Algerian eyelet, but could be just an over-2 cross stitch with a cross bar instead, which is called a Smyrna Cross or double cross stitch. I like the eyelets myself. If you are not familiar with the Algerian Eyelet stitch, copy the diagram on the right. It's very simple. Come up on the outside and go down in the center. This creates a small hole ("eyelet"). Use 2 threads and be careful not to draw them too tight. There are several websites with diagrams of various specialty stitches. See my Links Page or click here to be taken to links at the Counted Cross Sitch, Needlecrafts & Stitchery site. Johanna's Needlework Stitches is a really nice site with excellent diagrams.
I'm stitching this design on a pink Charles Craft fingertip towel and really like the overall effect. I like the pattern so much that I'm going to delete the egg shape and substitue a similar but rectangular design for use during the year, and also create a bookmark running vertically. The towel border is almost finished and a photo with comments about changes I made in stitching the pattern appears on my Finished Projects page.
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