Halloween Cat Free Needlepoint Project

This simple pattern creates a dramatic focal point for a small project that would make a wonderful focal point for a tote bag or purse. My finished project is 5″ by 6″ but you can make it any size you like.

The background is created from 1/2″ squares in many threads of the same color, stitched in Tent Stitch. I made it in orange, but you could make it any color you like. The cat is adapted from a vintage advertisement. It’s black. just like the original, but this can also be changed to any other solid color.

This project is a great one for trying out many different threads. By stitching blocks of Tent you’ll get a good feel for how the thread behaves. Because this project has several blocks of the same thread, you’ll get comfortable using these threads. Because many threads are used, you’ll have a great way to compare textures.

Materials

Because of the large amount of Tent in this project stitch it on stretcher bars. I did not, hence the distorted canvas.

You will also need:

• 9×10″ (or larger) piece of 18-mesh mono canvas
• 2 cards Rainbow Gallery Wisper in black (W99)
• 1 spool each Kreinik Tapestry (#12) metallic in brown (154V) and glow-in-the-dark white (052F)
• 1 spool Kreinik extra Fine )#4) metallic in glow-in-the-dark white (052F)
• 10-12 (or more) different threads in a single color
• Extra Fine marker made for Marking fabrics such as a Pigma Micron

Creating the Design

Begin by deciding on a finished size for your project and marking out the size on you canvas. Because the background is in 1/2″ blocks, the background size must be even. Start with one side and begin to draw the line. Count it out. It must be divisible by nine. My top and bottom are 90 threads. My sides are 108 threads.

Once the first side is marked, start at one corner to mark a second size, also counting this side.

With two sides marked you can connect the existing lines to make the finished outline of you project.

Print out the cat outline, below. It should be about 4.5″ tall.

Place the printed outline under the canvas and center it in the marked area. Trace the cat and its face onto the canvas.

The Cat

Stitch the cat’s pupils in his eyes using the brown metallic. Stitch the whites of the eyes, the nose, mouth, and chin, using the glow-in-the-dark metallic.

Stitch the remainder of the cat in Basketweave using two strands of Wisper.

Background

The blocks are 9 threads square. If the thread is solid, stitch it in Basketweave. If the thread is overdyed or hand-dyed, stitch it in Continental. The Continental blocks can be in either horizontal rows or vertical columns. Be sure to vary the direction.

Do not put the same thread in adjacent squares in any direction.

Begin to stitch at the bottom right corner of the area.

Finishing Touches

Once the piece is stitched, brush the fur using a bunka brush or the loopy side of Velcro. Do not brush the eyes, nose/mouth, or the background. It should be furry but not too lush.

Once the fur is brushed add the whiskers using two strands of the thin white metallic. There will be five whiskers on each side. The whiskers are made as long stitches spreading out from just under the nose.

Your cat is complete!

Come back next week for the next installment of our Magnolia Stained Glass.