Strawberry Motif

What you will learn

• Isolated single stitches
• Three-colour motif

Materials and tools

• 14-count Aida, 5 in (13 cm) square
• Tapestry needle size 24
• Floss: red DMC 321, green DMC 702, yellow DMC 743
• Embroidery scissors

Pattern chart

1. Cut the Aida at least 2 in (5 cm) larger than the design on every side. Fold it in half both ways and pinch to find the centre.
2. Find the centre of the chart using the arrows on its top and left edges.
3. Thread the needle with 2 strands and start with a loop start or by holding the tail under your first stitches.
4. Begin at the centre and work outward, one colour at a time. Count carefully from stitches you have already made.
5. Stitch the red body first, skipping the seed squares.
6. Fill each seed square with a single yellow cross. Secure the yellow under red stitches on the back and do not carry it more than three squares between seeds.
7. Stitch the green leaves across the top.
8. Check the chart for missed squares. Finish all ends under the backs of stitches.
9. Wash, dry and press face down on a towel.

Tips for a neat result

• Every top leg must slant the same way across the whole piece.
• Tick off rows on a printed copy of the chart as you finish them.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• All crosses have the top leg slanting the same way.
• The stitch count matches the chart.
• The back is flat with no long carried threads.