Head-Start “Halloween Haunt” in Half Cross Stitch!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010Get a head-start on your Halloween stitching with this quick, super-easy “Halloween Haunt” ornament pattern!
A small project like this is a great way to learn how to couch over DMC Memory Thread, as well as to try your hand at Half Cross Stitch. It’s also perfect for a beginner!
The ornament can be hung on a spooky tree branch, used as a gift tag, or hung on a Halloween wreath – or placed in a mini-frame and used on a wall or tabletop.
To make this project, print the pattern and follow the instructions for working the design on the pattern sheet. I’ll show you how to finish the design into an ornament in this blog (below).
Materials used in this pattern include DMC 6-Strand Embroidery Floss in colors Blanc, 209 and 304, DMC 14-Count Aida fabric in 310 black, and DMC Memory Thread in colors 6050 White and 6180 Lavender.
You will also need a DMC Embroidery Needle in size 5.
To finish as an ornament you will also need a scrap of foam-core board, felt as well as glue (optional) and a scrap of ribbon for trim (also optional).
To make the ornament, cut a 3-3/4 diameter circle from both the felt and the foam-core board scrap. Cut away the excess fabric from around the stitched piece so that you have a 6-inch diameter circle.
Using 2 strands of the 6-strand floss in your needle, gather the outside edges of the black fabric circle, spacing the stitch 1/2″ from the edges. Pull the thread to gather the black fabric circle around the foam-core disc.
Evenly distribute the gathering and secure the thread. Glue or hand-stitch the felt circle to the back side of the ornament, covering the raw edges of the black fabric.
Cut a 30-inch length each of the lavender and white Memory Thread.
Twist the 2 lengths of Memory Thread together to make a wired cording.
Starting at the top, near the haunt’s head, hand-stitch the cording around the edges of the fabric-covered circle using a single length of the white 6-strand floss in your needle.
Insert the needle through the white sections of the twisted cord, and take a small, hidden stitch in the black fabric as you work your way around the ornament.
When you arrive back at your starting point, make a hanging loop from the remaining cording.
Secure the loop at the back of the ornament with tiny, hidden stitches and cut away the remaining cording to complete the ornament.
If you would like to browse more free patterns using DMC Memory Thread click here. You can also find more half cross stitch patterns here!
~Emma
Cute ghostly idea, need to check into this memory thread next time I’m in town.
Thanks for showing the step by step photos. What an adorable ornament!