This pattern is my interpretation of a double-woven textile produced in Sweden between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The textile was used as an altar cloth in Södra Råda Church in Gullspång and was donated to the Swedish History Museum in 1960.
The old wooden church burned down in 2001 but has since been rebuilt.
Photo: Myrin, Ola, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0) Hildebrand,
Gabriel, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)
The textile was woven with a grey warp and red wool weft in two separate lengths, which were later sewn together.
The weave is double-sided, and over time the red yarn has faded on the front.
The design consists of simple borders alternating with pairs of birds, flowers, and a four-legged animal with a large tail and an outstretched leg.
It may represent a horse or a lion, or perhaps a mythical creature such as a dragon or a bäckahäst (a water spirit horse from Scandinavian folklore).
The animal resembles the bäckahäst motif found in later woven textiles.
The two joined sections are not identical, and the textile has a clearly visible seam. Where the pattern meets in the centre, the motifs are not complete.
For this reason, I would like to make it clear that the embroidery pattern I have created is not an exact reproduction.
t is my interpretation, intended to allow others to draw inspiration from the history and the fascinating motifs.
In this pattern, you stitch the background, that is, the area surrounding the motifs, rather than the motifs themselves.
The embroidery is worked in full or half cross stitches in a single color. I have chosen DMC 21, a muted rust-red shade.
However, you are of course free to choose another color. The reconstruction displayed in Södra Råda Church today features a stronger red tone.
If, for example, you wish to stitch on natural linen, I would suggest DMC 310 (black) for clearer contrast.
The original textile measures approximately 180 × 129 cm. Instead, I have created three patterns in different sizes, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best.
For most stitchers, I recommend the smallest version. The largest pattern is a considerable undertaking due to its size.
Note: Each pattern has its own PDF file. The PDF files are packaged in a .zip file that you download after purchase.
The .zip file also contains the files for the Pattern Keeper app.
Pattern 1 measures 378 × 518 stitches and features eight pairs of birds across the width.
60 × 82,2 cm på 16 count Aida (6.4 rutor/cm)
68,6 × 94 cm på 14 count Aida (5.4 rutor/cm)
Thread usage (full cross stitch): 40 DMC skeins.
Pattern 2 measures 198 × 280 stitches and features four pairs of birds across the width.
31,4 × 44,5 cm på 16 count Aida (6.4 rutor/cm)
35,9 × 50,8 cm på 14 count Aida (5.4 rutor/cm)
Thread usage (full cross stitch): 12 DMC skeins.
Pattern 3 measures 178 × 178 stitches and features four pairs of birds across the width.
28,3 × 28,3 cm på 16 count Aida (6.4 rutor/cm)
32,3 × 32,3 cm på 14 count Aida (5.4 rutor/cm)
Thread usage (full cross stitch): 7 DMC skeins.
Remember that the yarn usage is approximate, it depends on which fabric you choose, but also on how you stitch.
