The Yule Stag – PDF Pattern

This is Eikþyrnir, a cheerful Yule stag. This design was originally a bonus pattern during the Holiday Countdown 2025 with Evertote, Roxy Floss Co and myself, Modern Folk Embroidery. I’m really happy to be able to present it as a separate design as well!

I took inspiration from embroidered and woven textiles from Sweden and Norway. The stag motif with a branch or flower in its mouth is not only seen on Nordic textiles but can be found on Spanish and Mexican samplers and textiles from other countries, too. I framed the stag in an octagonal design, surrounded by various Nordic-inspired borders.

I wanted to give this stag a name – and to keep things in line with the Nordic inspiration behind the Holiday Countdown box and “The Yule Dance” pattern, I wanted something that wasn’t Rudolph, Donner, or Blitzen. After a bit of research, I discovered the ‘heavenly stag’ Eikþyrnir (Eikthyrnir) from the Icelandic sagas.

The corners of the octagon have the number 2025 in them – you can personalise these corners by changing the numbers for a different date or putting your initials there instead. An alphabet and number graph can be found on the next page.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

This design measures 113 crosses in width and 137 in height and has 7249 crosses. The graph below gives size estimates and floss calculations for a wide range of embroidery linen and aida fabric.

Floss calculations are based on working with two strands on 28- to 36-count linen (14- to 16-count aida). Higher counts use a single strand. You are free to stitch with as many strands as you like. A bonus alphabet allows you to personalise your design.

As this is a monochrome pattern, you can stitch it with any colour you like. Roxy Floss Co (sold through Evertote in Canada) dyes some beautiful flosses and linens that will surely inspire you. Falu Red is one of my personal favourite reds they do and is a colour I keep coming back to. It would look particularly beautiful worked on a linen such as “Porcelain” or “Speculaas”.