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Needlework/Cross Stitch Charts
Several years ago, we started creating and uploading small (3" x 3") needlework charts of heraldic charges that can be downloaded or printed out and which you can then work yourself. Along with each chart will be the pattern information, the floss color descriptions and numbers (though there is no obligation to follow these color recommendations slavishly. You may prefer to select different tints or colors, as indeed sometimes our own needlework artist has when working from these charts).
The needlework chart for March is a variant of last month's charge, a hollowed-out version of a lozenge called a mascle.
Our needlework chart for February was a common heraldic charge, a lozenge.
The needlework chart for January was an old charge in heraldry, a fret.
Our needlework chart for December was a staple in the falconer's trade, a hawk's bell.
The needlework chart for November was a fruit near and dear to our hearts, an apple.
Our free needlework chart for October was a tool sometimes used by farriers called a breys, or sometimes a barnacle.
The needlework chart for September was a cross especially popular in France, the cross of Lorraine.
Our needlework chart for August was yet another popular form of cross, a cross flory.
The needlework chart for July was another type of a cross, a cross potent.
Our needlework chart for June was an ancient crown, which may also often be found in heraldry as a "crest coronet".
The needlework chart for May was a clarion, sometimes called a "rest" or even an "organ rest".
Our heraldic needlework chart for April was a stag's head cabossed (facing the viewer instead of the more usual to the side).
We also sell packages that include all of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth year's charts of these charges. Or you can purchase a CD-ROM with all 72 charts of these heraldic charges in .pdf format. More information on these sets, including a list of the charges contained in them, can be found here.
Other needlework charts available for sale, and information on contacting us about creating customized needlework charts for you, can also be found here.
To help maintain the maintain uniformity as well as to make printing the individual charts easier, we have saved them in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat which will allow you to open and print these charts, Adobe has a free Acrobat Reader which you can download from their website at www.adobe.com.
Don't have and don't want the Acrobat Reader? E-mail us at the addresses here and we'll send you a .jpg that you can print out. (You may need to tell your printer to "fit to page" or something similar, depending upon your graphics program.)
Questions? Comments? Compliments? Complaints? Suggestions for improvement? Or just want to share your successes (or difficulties) with our "free stuff"? Write, call, or e-mail us at the address, telephone number, or e-mail addresses here.