Gathering the Last Fruit – Holiday Countdown SAL 2023 – PDF Pattern

For the past few years, Caroline from Evertote in Canada (www.evertote.ca), Kerri, the floss dyer at Roxy Floss Co. and I have been working together on an annual Holiday Countdown SAL. Each day, stitchers receive one skein of floss and a small part of the pattern that they can stitch with that colour. These colours are all beautifully dyed by Kerri but are only part of the Countdown Box (and later for a limited amount of time as stocks last).

To make it possible for everyone to stitch this pattern, I am now releasing the 2023 Holiday Countdown SAL as a monochrome chart, which you may stitch as it is or give as much colour as you like. A bonus alphabet chart can be found at the end of the PDF booklet which you may use to personalise your work. It’s entirely up to you!

Inspiration for the chart came from the last days of autumn when birds pick berries, squirrels scurry around to bury their stash for the long, cold winter months ahead, while the last leaves fall from the trees. It’s a favourite time of year for me – a strange mix of melancholy and gearing up for a season of festivities where both scarcity and plenty seem to meet.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

From the 2nd page of the pattern, you’ll notice a grey area (3 crosses in width or height) indicating an overlap with previous pages to make it easier for you to continue stitching.

This design measures 113 crosses in width and 137 in height. Please see the chart below for size estimates. Floss estimates are based on working with two pulled strands (14 – 18-count aida or 28 – 36-count linen) or 1 strand (20-count aida / 40-count linen and higher). It is, of course, up to you how many strands you want to use for your project.