This piece was stitched as part of my EGA chapter's stitch-along for our May 2004 meeting. At each meeting we are presented with a chart that we can stitch as is, or that we can play with to adapt it into an unique piece.

The original chart is called "Goodie Bag IV" from At River's End and was a freebie on their website. The chart is presented as a decoration for a stitched gift bag. It is charted with Anchor and J.P. Coates floss and Mill Hill petit beads, stitched on a 32 count linen.

I decided to adapt the chart and turn it into a Christmas ornament so that I can donate it to a charity auction or give it to a friend later this year. So I chose my own fibers, beads and fabric from my stash. I used three shades of green floss, two shades of pink floss, one pink metallic and some rose-colored beads.

I do want to put in one word of caution. Because of the way the Irish Stitch is placed (the long zig-zag stitches), it is much easier to use an evenweave or linen for this pattern than an aida. As you see, I used aida. I needed to pierce the fabric between the normal stitching holes for every-other stitch in the Irish Stitch sections. You can see a detail of that pierced fabric stitching here.

I also substituted a regular Mill Hill bead rather than the petit beads on this 14 count fabric.

I very pleased with the final product. It's pretty and it sparkles.

Stitched May 19 - 25, 2004

Pattern name:	Goodie Bag IV
Designer:	At River's End
Stitch Count:	38 x 38
Fabric:	14ct pink aida
Floss and Embellishments:	DMC cotton; DMC stranded metallic, Mill Hill beads
Original Cost:	free
Copyright year:	2001

At River's End

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