Updated August 24, 2021.
This week’s free pattern is loosely adapted from a pin from New Mexico. Working in silver with turquoise has long been a tradition of the Native Americans of Arizona and New Mexico. I love it and have quite a collection.
Turquoise is an unusual gem in that it is opaque. Typically it is blue or green and may have lines of brown in it.
This design has silver surrounding Rhodes Stitches made using hand-dyed floss. The silver isn’t very bright because typically Indian Silver isn’t highly polished.
I love the contrast the silver Tent Stitches make with the matte, bumpy Rhodes.
The outlines shown on the chart are optional. Stitch the silver, then the Rhodes Stitches.
The design is roughly diamond in shape, so it could easily be made into a folded diamond ornament.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
This is very pretty! What thread did you use for the silver?
It’s a Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid, 12 strand, in silver.
Keep Stitching, Janet