Blackwork SAL 2021: Shades of Blackwork - SAL Announcement Post

After the success of the previous Blackwork SALs I decided to include one for 2021 as well — with a difference again, because it's fun to change things up. This year there are only two options given for this SAL — and it's how you stitch them not the patterns given. You can either do a single large piece or you can make the patterns into smallish bookmarks. Obviously if you wish you can have fun with the patterns and do your own thing!

What:

• This is a blackwork sampler.
• The year pattern is 295 × 80 stitches, a bookmark is 20 × 80 stitches.
  
• The pattern is in Holbein/backstitch.
• There will be twelve monthly PDFs with one blackwork pattern in them.

Where:

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

When:

• You get the patterns for the outline now — scroll down to the bottom for the pattern.
• New patterns will be given every second Friday of the month — there will be a “calendar” in the sidebar, so you can see the exact dates, which will be added sometime in December
• I will start on the 8th of January 2021.

Fabric:

• I don't normally suggest a fabric type but this year it's strongly advisable to use an evenweave as your fabric — otherwise be prepared to use a sharp needle to stab into the bunches of Aida.
• Furthermore, I have rounded up the numbers working from the actual size of the stitching to make sure you have enough fabric.
• The smallest fraction I give for fabric size in inches is 1/2 an inch.
• The smallest amount I give for fabric size in cm is a whole cm.
• Fabric amounts are given based on stitching over one bunch of Aida or over two threads of evenweave.
• If you decide to stitch over one you will of course need less fabric but TBH I wouldn't do this unless you are very experienced at backstitch over one.
• I have given 3 inches / 7.62 cm of fabric on each side for framing.
• This pattern is very adaptable! If you wish to calculate the fabric for yourself based on your plans then this is a helpful tool.

Size in inches to make a bookmark:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 1.4 × 5.7 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 7 1/2 × 12 inches.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 1.3 × 5 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 7 1/2 × 11 inches.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 1.1 × 4.4 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 7 1/2 × 10 1/2 inches.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 1 × 4 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 7 × 10 inches.

Size in cm to make a bookmark:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 3.6 × 14.5 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 19 × 30 cm.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 3.2 × 12.7 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 19 × 28 cm.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 2.8 × 11.3 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 19 × 27 cm.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 2.5 × 10.1 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 18 × 26 cm.

Size in inches whole year together:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 21.1 × 5.7 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 27 1/2 × 12 inches.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 18.4 × 5 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 25 1/2 × 11 inches.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 16.4 × 4.4 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 22 1/2 × 10 1/2 inches.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 14.8 × 4 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 21 × 10 inches.

Size in cm whole year together:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 53.6 × 14.5 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 69 × 30 cm.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 46.8 × 12.7 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 63 × 28 cm.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 41.5 × 11.3 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 57 × 27 cm.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 37.3 × 10.1 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 53 × 26 cm.

Size in inches whole year together “Square” version:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 10.4 × 11.8 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 16 1/2 × 18 inches.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 9.1 × 10.3 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 15 1/2 × 16 1/2 inches.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 8.1 × 9.2 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 14 1/2 × 15 1/2 inches.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 7.3 × 8.3 inches.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 13 1/2 × 14 1/2 inches.

Size in cm whole year together “Square” version:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 26.4 × 30 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 42 × 46 cm.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 23 × 26.2 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 39 × 42 cm.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 20.4 × 23.2 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 36 × 39 cm.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 18.4 × 20.9 cm.
• It requires a piece of fabric that is 34 × 37 cm.

Floss:

• Floss is calculated based on using one strand 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.
• I am giving the floss amounts for 14ct only as PCStitch doesn't give less than 0.1 skein as an amount.

Floss use:

• 0.2 skein of DMC 310 black — this is for the outlines, which are stitched with two strands at the end. In the patterns below I used red to make the lines show up better.
  
• 0.1 – 0.2 skein of 12 colours — some months use a little more than others. If you want to do it all in one colour I would suggest having 1 1/2 – 2 skeins on hand for this, though you won't completely use the second skein.

You can find the pattern for the outlines here
You can find the pattern for the “Square” outlines here

Important notes about the outlines:

• The “square” outlines refers to the more square placement of the rectangles — 2 rows of six rather than the actual shape of them.
  
• To save paper I have set it to use as little space as possible. If you like to grid your fabric then please make the grid only within the rectangles — so a 20 × 80 grid as that's how the monthly patterns will be given.
• I used red instead of black to make the pattern easier to read — please use black for the outlines unless you prefer to use another colour.

I'll see you tomorrow for the next part of the Autumn Mystery SAL and the Easy Christmas Cards SAL!