Ornament of the Month 2019

I wasn't going to do an overview post for this SAL as it's been ongoing for a while but then I decided it would be a good idea for people new to the SAL to have a place to start if they want to join in, so here it is! When I first started this SAL back in 2015 I wanted to make an ornament a month for an entire year so at the end of it I'd have twelve ornaments for my Christmas tree. I chose birthstones as my theme and then discovered that which stones they are depends on where you live. So instead of just picking one and leaving it at that for every month that had more I made more patterns! In the end I'd made 19 patterns which I tried to stitch twice every month - which I didn't always manage.

The garland version

The larger ornament version

I have been very happy with these in my tree in the years since I made them and last year I decided to go for another round of Ornaments - this time I offered the option to make little 3D pyramids, square or triangular ornaments. The theme for my colour choices was rainbow.

The *still* unfinished ornaments

As I didn't have much time I opted to do a square and a triangular version, where I stitched the triangle twice and only did one side of the square. Unfortunately this is one of the projects that got left by the wayside and will be part of my Finish it in 2019 SAL.

For 2019 they will be square again... but with a difference - what will remain a surprise till the start of the SAL but like last year it will give you options to make it your unique embroidery, which I know many people like. The theme for this year will be sparkle - each pattern features one DMC thread and one Kreinik as well as the usual French knot, colonial knot, or beads. Of course if you don't like using Kreinik then by all means use your favourite shiny thread - or not if you prefer - it's up to you!

---

What: 

• This is a SAL to make twelve ornaments.
• The pattern is 34 stitches square.
• The pattern is whole cross stitch, backstitch, French knots/Colonial knots/beads and occasionally other stitches based on groupings of straight stitches. 
• There will be twelve monthly patterns. 
• The pattern is given in two colours, one is a DMC thread the other Kreinik.

 Where: 

• All patterns are posted here on my blog.
• There is a Facebook group to share progress and talk about the project here.

When:

• Patterns will be given every first Friday of the month - there is a "calendar" in the side bar so you can see the exact dates.
• I will start on the 4th of January 2019 - if you are able to keep up you have twelve new ornaments by Christmas 2019! Admittedly life happens and so do other projects but the SAL will stay on this blog so you don't have to worry about the patterns vanishing.

Fabric:

• I have rounded up the numbers working from the actual size of the stitching to make sure you have enough fabric. 
• Fabric amounts are given based on stitching over one bunch of Aida or over two threads of evenweave. 
• Fabric amounts are given working on the basis that you will make the ornaments as I envisioned and so will stitch the front and use the same fabric for the back.
• Make sure you stitch the front and back ten stitches apart so you have sufficient seam allowance.
• If you decide to stitch over one you will of course need less fabric. 
• I have given 3 inches / 7.62 cm of fabric on each side for finishing (for cm it's converted from inches). 
• If you only want to stitch the front then you will need the lowest number for your fabric x that same number so you have a square. (For example for 14ct you would then use a piece that is 8.5 inches/22 cm square unless you are happy with less fabric on each side for finishing.)
• If you wish to calculate the fabric for yourself based on your plans or with less finishing space then this is a helpful tool. 

Size in inches per ornament:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 2.4 inches x 5.6 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 8.5 inches x 12 inches.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 2.1 inches x 4.9 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 8 inches x 11 inches.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 1.9 inches x 4.3 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 8 inches x 10.5 inches.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 1.7 inches x 3.9 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 8 inches x 10 inches.

Size in cm per ornament:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 6.10 cm x 14.23 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 22 cm x 30 cm.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 5.34 cm x 12.45 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 20 cm x 28 cm.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 4.83 cm x 10.92 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 20 cm x 27 cm.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 4.32 cm x 9.01 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 20 cm x 25.5 cm.

Floss:

• Floss is calculated based on using two strands over one (or two for evenweave). 
• Skein amount is given for DMC floss which has six strands and eight metres long - if you use another brand you may need more floss. 
• The amount given for Kreinik is based on their standard spool size.
• If you decide to stitch with one strand of floss over one fabric thread you will of course need less thread. You may also need to use a different weight of Kreinik. If you need help calculating this please do ask!

 Floss use per ornament:

• For all sizes you will need approximately:
• 0.1 skein of DMC floss as per the key for each month as it's released.
• 0.1 spool of Kreinik as per the key for each month as it's released.
• For 14ct #8 braid is best.
• For 16ct and 18ct #4 braid works nicely.
• For 20ct you may need to consider using blending filament.

I hope you are as excited as I am to do this SAL - it will be easy to keep up with due to its small size which will mean you could do this alongside another SAL or large project. I hope to see many of you in the fb group as well as here! If you have any questions please do ask! Either here or in the fb group works (a mention will help me see the fb post!) and I'll answer ASAP!