Avlea Folk Embroidery Bitkit Balkan Lozenge - Downloadable PDF

Avlea Folk Embroidery Balkan Lozenge Cross Stitch Pattern – Downloadable PDF

The Avlea Folk Embroidery Balkan Lozenge is a cross stitch pattern designed by Krista West of Avlea Mediterranean Folk Embroidery, available as a downloadable PDF. Rooted in the rich textile traditions of the Balkans and the broader Mediterranean folk embroidery heritage, this design brings authentic regional artistry into a modern stitching project suitable for beginner embroiderers.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece measures 6-1/2 by 9 inches and features a vibrant all-over lozenge (diamond) motif worked in a striking palette of reds and blues, with black used for emphasis and definition. The repeating geometric pattern is characteristic of traditional Balkan folk embroidery, where bold, symmetrical shapes are arranged across the fabric in continuous, interlocking formations. Because the design is built from repeating units, stitchers can easily scale the project up by using a larger piece of fabric and simply working additional repeats — making it a wonderfully flexible pattern for a range of finished goods, from framed art to decorative textiles.

Techniques Used

This pattern is specifically designed to give stitchers excellent practice with traveling stitches — a technique common in counted thread embroidery where the thread travels across the back of the fabric to move between areas of the same color without cutting and rejoining. Mastering traveling stitches leads to a neater finish on both sides of the work and greater efficiency when stitching all-over repeat designs. The all-over layout of the Balkan Lozenge makes it an ideal project for building this skill in a structured, satisfying way.

Stitches Used

• Cross stitch – the primary and sole stitch used throughout the design, worked on 26-count counted thread fabric for precise, even coverage

Cross stitch on counted fabric involves placing X-shaped stitches over a set number of fabric threads, following a charted grid. The 26-count fabric used here means there are 26 threads per inch, producing a fine, detailed result at the stated finished dimensions.

Materials

The pattern calls for the following specific materials:

• Fabric: One piece of 26-count counted thread fabric, cut to 10 x 12 inches
• DMC Floss:
  • DMC 347 – coral (7 yards)
  • DMC 932 – light blue (2 yards)
  • DMC 806 – wedgwood/peacock blue (3 yards)
  • DMC 310 – black (3 yards)
• Needle: A John James size 24 tapestry needle is included if the physical kit version is purchased; the same needle type is recommended for the PDF version

DMC six-strand embroidery floss is the industry-standard thread used in counted cross stitch worldwide, known for its consistent color, sheen, and wide availability. A tapestry needle, with its blunt tip and large eye, is the correct tool for counted thread work as it passes between fabric threads rather than piercing them.

Design Details and Suitability

The Balkan Lozenge pattern was originally published in 2018 by Avlea Mediterranean Folk Embroidery. Its bold color palette — coral red, light blue, peacock blue, and black — reflects the vivid, high-contrast aesthetic typical of Balkan regional embroidery traditions. The geometric, all-over repeat structure makes it an approachable project for beginner stitchers looking to explore folk embroidery styles, while the traveling stitch practice element adds genuine educational value. More experienced stitchers will appreciate the opportunity to work on rhythm and consistency across a repeating motif.