Simple Cross Stitch Alphabet Pattern and tips for using variegated threads

Want to stitch a pretty and traditional cross stitch alphabet that is simple and easy? This might be just the pattern you are looking for.

Every now and again I delve into the bottom of my sewing box and pull out something I made years ago, like this cross stitch alphabet sampler. I’d designed this simple alphabet many years ago and then stitched this back in 2016 when DMC launched their range of Coloris variegated embroidery threads.

I have a mixed relationship with variegated threads (and yarns for pretty much the same reasons). I love the way they change colours in your project without having to keep starting and stopping. I’m not so keen on the lack of control of where your colours end up.

That said, when DMC launched their Coloris range I did pick up a couple to experiment with. I wondered if a variegated thread would be a nice easy way to get a traditional alphabet sampler look, when colours are changed for letters regularly.

I’ve always loved the look of traditional old cross stitch samplers, I designed and stitched one for my Mum back in 2002 - which you can find here: Traditional Cross Stitch Sampler. I also shared a tiny mini sampler design that’s suitable for a greeting card or mini picture a few years ago: Mini Traditional Sampler Design.

I’d originally designed this easy alphabet to be stitched in 5 pastel shades, so that’s what is shown on the charts and here on a mock up stitched version that my cross stitch designer software can produce.

Then in 2016 I stitched up this little alphabet in DMC 4500, a variegated pink and green colourway called Columbine Gardens, and then apparently just tucked it at the bottom of my sewing box and forgot all about it.

When stitched on 14 count Aida the finished size is 12.5cm x 16cm (5” x 6.25”).

If you’d like to stitch up this simple sampler, in any colour way you like, you can download the charts here:

Or simply right click on the charts below and you’ll be able to copy and then paste them into a word document to print. You can choose between a chart with colour and symbols or just the black and white symbols.

A word of warning - if you do want to stitch up this little alphabet cross stitch please do use the chart to work from and not the photos of my finished stitching. There is a mistake in my stitched version on the second and third rows of letters, I stitched them slightly too far to the right.

So, coming back to my original thoughts about variegated threads and if they save time and effort, the million dollar (and rather long) question is:

Is it quicker to stitch with variegated thread to avoid having to cast on and off doing colour changes?

The short answer is NO. I’m afraid it isn’t, not for a sampler like this. Maybe that’s why this alphabet sampler got buried in my sewing box and stayed there for so long!

This feels counter intuitive so let me explain why.

• You pull a length of thread from your skein.

• You separate out 2 strands of the 6 to work with. In case you don’t already know the easiest way to do this is to pull one strand, then another and then recombine them.

• You need to take extra care that you recombine the threads the right way round so the colours match.

• Now you start stitching the design. You can’t use the “loop method” to cast on so you’ll need to use a more traditional method where you hold a thread at the back and stitch over it.

• You have to work each cross individually. This is called the English method of cross stitch. You can’t do the quicker Danish method, where you stitch a row of / / / / and then go back and complete the crosses with a row of \ \ \ \ . If you did that Danish row method you could end up with stitches that are half one colour and half another and get a muddied effect.

• When you’ve finished your length of thread you cast off and pull another 2 thread. These will be identical to the first. You might not want that. What if you’ve just started to merge into a new colour, do you want to go back sharply to the first colour again?

There is a work around this issue, if you are wanting to use variegated threads my main tip would be this:

• Pull a full colour repeat from the skein of thread, on the DMC Coloris threads I have that seems to be about 85cm or 33”. That way all your threads are identical and you avoid harsh colour jumps. When I say “colour repeat” I mean when you can see the colour pattern starts to repeat exactly. You can see below where I’ve pulled 2 lengths of thread out and laid them side by side.

• Bear in mind that 85cm or 33” is a very long thread length for embroidery so you’ll need to be careful it doesn’t get tangled or caught up as you stitch.

Do you see what I mean? This is a lot of work, thinking and advanced planning for a very small shortcut, so small in fact that I don’t think it is a shortcut at all!

You are not saving much time or effort with these colour changes done for you so on reflection I think I prefer to just choose my threads and change them when I want to going forward.

The next time I stitch this traditional style cross stitch alphabet sampler I will choose a pallette of soft complimentary colours and change them as shown on the chart using the old fashioned way of casting on and off as needed.

However you decide to stitch the little sampler, whether you use a variegated thread, choose different toning colours or just work it in all one colour I hope you enjoy your stitching.

Julie

You might also like to check out some of my other cross stitch designs: