When I started this blog, I wanted it to be as much about sharing my love of cross-stitch with stitchers around the globe as it will be about sharing moments in my life.

Sharing my “Kindness” band sampler with you seemed fitting as the first of many free charts and instructions about needlework techniques you will find here in days to come. First of all, it is an easy way to become familiar with whitework* and is, hopefully, a motivation to learn to stitch on linen for those who have not tried it.

Secondly, I dedicate this sampler to all the professionals and volunteers at the Derrick Davis Cancer Center who contributed to my fight against breast cancer. Every word spoken, every gesture made, by every person, every day was rooted in kindness.

Last week, I had my first post-treatment PET scan and it was squeaky clean! I am now officially in remission. Hurray!

So, back to the nuts and bolts of the “Kindness” sampler. You will need scissors, a tapestry needle (#24 or #26), six-strand embroidery floss, #8 pearl cotton, and linen. I stitched on a 28-count cream linen, so I used ecru pearl cotton. If you want to stitch on white, use white pearl cotton, and white embroidery floss in place of the ecru. I cut my linen 9” x 11” which gave me 3” extra on all sides. The finished piece will be 34 stitches across and 67 stitches down.

Symbol / Color

S    Light Purple    209 DMC

A    Dark Purple    208 DMC

O    Light Green    3052 DMC

y    Dark Green    3051 DMC

5    Ecru                Ecru DMC

This design is protected by my copyright (2003). It is my intention that it be printed for the use of the stitcher. It may not be sold or used as a component in a kit. If you are part of a group of stitchers and wish to make multiple copies for that purpose, you may do so.

*Whitework describes a multitude of stitches, some simple, others not so simple, usually stitched with white fibers on a white linen. Today, we include these same stitches done in any color as long as the stitching fibers and the linen fabric are the same color. These stitches will not work on Aida.