Last year, I finally picked up the Agnus Dei design that I had started quite a few years before, but for some reason had been abandoned. It has been such a pleasure stitching, and finally finishing this pattern! The origins of the design are a ‘Hungertuch’ (Hunger Cloth) from Germany, found in a book on cross-stitch. Sadly, the image was the size of a stamp, and any detail in it was completely lost. I have tried to translate the feel and symbolism of the original cloth in this design. (More information on the symbolism of the cloth can be found in the PDF booklet of the pattern.)
One day last year when I was stitching on this design I was on a train in Germany, and had a wonderful conversation with a Swiss lady. Besides talking about crafts and cross-stitch, she told me that they still use the saying ‘am Hungertuch nagen’ (to gnaw at the hunger-cloth) – a saying that has been going around for a thousand years, and refers to being very poor and / or hungry.
I stitched my version with variegated white floss (single strand) on 32 count Slate linen by Zweigart. I really like stitching with one single strand of floss on linen, as it gives a near lace-like effect.
I have seen several folks stitch their own beautiful versions, very different from my take. This leads me to my question to you: have you started this design yet, and if so, how are you stitching it? Let me know in the comments below, or send me an email with a photo- I’d love to see your work!
I will end this post with just a few that I have come across on Instagram. Make sure to give these talented stitchers a follow and a like!
Warmest wishes,
Jacob
