Avlea Folk Embroidery Olivine - Downloadable PDF

Avlea Folk Embroidery Olivine Cross Stitch Pattern – Downloadable PDF by Krista West

The Avlea Folk Embroidery Olivine pattern is a downloadable PDF cross stitch design created by designer Krista West under the Avlea Folk Embroidery brand. Measuring 8 x 11 inches and 96 x 133 stitches, this striking piece draws its inspiration from a genuine embroidery booklet sold in Greece in the early 1950s, making it a beautifully authentic example of Mediterranean folk embroidery. The design features elongated ovals reminiscent of olives rendered in graduated hues of copper and red, floating on a ground of teal and olive stripes — a composition that reflects the emerging mid-century modern aesthetic of its era while remaining just as fresh and bold today as it was over 70 years ago.

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an ideal project for those who are new to counted thread embroidery or cross stitch. The finished piece is versatile and can be worked as a table mat, pillow cover, or framed textile art. Repeat lines are also included in the pattern for those who wish to create a larger embroidery, simply requiring a larger piece of fabric to accommodate the expanded design.

What Is Being Made

The Olivine pattern produces a decorative embroidered textile panel measuring 8 x 11 inches at the stated stitch count. Its geometric, folk-inspired motifs — elongated olive-shaped ovals arranged on a striped background — make it well suited as a finished home décor piece. Suggested finished uses include a table mat, pillow cover, or framed wall art. The design's roots in authentic Greek folk embroidery tradition give the finished piece genuine cultural and historical depth.

Techniques Used

• Counted cross stitch on counted thread fabric, the primary technique throughout the pattern
• Working on counted thread fabric (as opposed to Aida cloth), where two threads of the fabric equal one square of Aida — a key distinction explained within the pattern for stitchers transitioning from Aida
• Repeat line working for scaling the design to a larger size
• Basic and drawn thread hem finishing techniques, referenced via the Avlea Folk Embroidery Demos page for completing the finished piece
• Proper fabric preparation and care, including hand washing to prevent shrinkage, air drying flat, and ironing with a medium iron before and after stitching

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch — worked in two stages as described in the pattern: the first pass lays down one diagonal of each stitch across a section, and the second pass completes each cross, a standard method for achieving even, consistent coverage on counted thread fabric

Materials Required

The pattern specifies the following materials for completing the Olivine design:

• Fabric: One piece of 11 x 14 inch, 30-count counted thread fabric — the pattern photos show Legacy Linen in Coconut Macaroon colorway
• Thread (DMC Floss): Seven specific DMC thread colors worked with two strands cut into 18–24 inch lengths:
  • 224 Shell Pink — 3 yards
  • 347 Red — 8 yards
  • 351 Coral — 10 yards
  • 918 Copper — 3 yards
  • 924 Teal — 25 yards
  • 3053 Green Grey — 5 yards
  • 832 Golden Olive — 7 yards
• Needle: A John James size 24 tapestry needle, which is the standard needle type for counted thread and cross stitch work — its blunt tip passes between fabric threads without splitting them

About the Designer and Brand