The Wings of the Dove – PDF Pattern

This is a design inspired by the early Baroque pattern books of Bartolomeo Danieli and Isabella Catanea Parasole.

At the centre, we see a large flower pot inspired by the works of Bartolomeo Danieli, who published books on lacework around the same time as Isabella Catanea Parasole. Early pattern books shaped the way European samplers would develop in the next centuries, so it’s only fitting to take inspiration from such a pattern book and turn it into a new design.

Underneath the flower pot, I placed a dove in flight. Christian iconography often depicts doves as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In Judaism and Christianity, the dove plays an important role in the story of Noah, where it returns to the Ark after the flood, carrying an olive branch, with the promise that the flood is over. In Islam, the dove is also respected after assisting Muhammed in hiding from his enemies. Outside of religion, the dove is seen as a symbol of peace.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

This design has 23664 crosses and measures 221 crosses wide and 291 crosses high. See the graph below for size- and floss estimates for a wide variety of materials. The size estimates are for the finished piece and do not include extra fabric on the sides. Floss calculations are based on working with 2 pulled strands on 14 through to 18-count aida (28 through to 36-count linen) and working with one strand on higher-count materials. You can use as many or as few strands as you see fit.

The pattern has been split over nine pages. From the 2nd pattern page onwards, you will notice a 3-cross wide and/or high greyed-out border: this area is an overlap from the previous page, which will make it easier to find your way on the next page. The design can be personalised with the alphabet and letters on the last page of the booklet.