Rowan Tree

This beautiful design is featured on the decorative plasterwork at Blackwell House, a wonderful example of Arts & Crafts architecture and decorative arts in the Lake District, England. During the late nineteenth century there was a resurgence of interest in hand-made crafts, encouraged by such figures as William Morris and John Ruskin, in a reaction to the impersonality of mass produced industrial goods.

Rowan leaves and berries form the dominant decorative theme in this wonderful house and they in turn are the perfect vehicle for a range of interesting and enjoyable stitches in this design.
As well as the usual crewel stitches such as Stem, French Knots and Long & Short, you will come across a number of less common stitches in the Rowan berries, such as Pistil, Whipped Spider's, Buttonhole, and Spiral Buttonhole. You could also use the Rowan berries to experiment with other stitches that you feel might work in the space.

 

Design size: 41.25 x 30cm
Stitches Used: Crewel Stem Stitch, French Knots, Long & Short as ‘soft shading’, Pistil Stitch, Whipped Spider’s Web, Buttonhole Stitch, Spiral Buttonhole Stitch

 

 

Kit includes:

• Design printed on Linen Twill,
• Appleton Crewel Wools,
• Easy-to-follow, detailed illustrated step-by-step instructions
• Detailed, full size stitch chart showing the exact location of every stitch and colour
• Beginners booklet, "The Essential Guide for Newcomers to Crewel Work", including handy hints, getting started, needle threading and other embroidery tips
• One each of bespoke gold-plated and polished nickel crewel needles