Anchor Aromatic Plants - Pictures - Chives and Juniper - 0060044-00901_05 - Downloadable PDF

Anchor Aromatic Plants – Chives and Juniper Embroidery Pattern Summary

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Anchor, designed by Anchor Studio, presents two beautifully detailed botanical embroidery pictures: Chives and Juniper. Released under design number 0060044-00901-05, this is an intermediate-level project that celebrates the natural beauty of aromatic plants through counted cross stitch. Each design is presented as a standalone framed picture, making them ideal for home décor, gift-giving, or building a botanical embroidery collection.

About the Two Designs

Chives Picture

The Chives design captures the delicate, slender stems and purple blooms characteristic of this beloved herb. The finished embroidery measures approximately 13 x 33.5 cm on the fabric, which itself should be cut to approximately 40 x 55 cm of green evenweave to allow adequate margins for framing. The elongated proportions of this design give it an elegant, botanical-illustration quality reminiscent of traditional herbal prints.

Juniper Picture

The Juniper design depicts the rich, textured foliage and berries of the juniper plant. The stitched area measures approximately 16 x 21 cm, worked on a piece of green evenweave fabric measuring approximately 35 x 40 cm. The cooler blue-green colour palette used for this design reflects the distinctive silvery tones of juniper foliage and its dark berries.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both designs are worked using two core embroidery techniques that are well-suited to intermediate stitchers looking to develop their counted needlework skills:

• Cross Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout both designs. Cross stitch is worked in two stages — the lower diagonal stitch is worked first from left to right across a row, and then the upper diagonal stitch is worked back from right to left to complete each cross. In this pattern, each cross stitch is worked over 2 fabric threads each way, giving the finished piece a neat, even texture with good coverage.
• Backstitch: Used for outlines and fine detail work, backstitch creates crisp, continuous lines that define the edges of botanical elements such as stems, leaves, and flower heads. Backstitch is worked with just 1 strand of thread, giving outlines a finer, more precise appearance compared to the filled cross stitch areas.

Materials Required

Thread

Both designs use Anchor Stranded Cotton in 8-metre skeins, worked with 2 strands for cross stitch and 1 strand for backstitch and outline work. The specific colour requirements for each design are as follows:

• Chives: 1 skein each of Anchor Stranded Cotton shades #241, #246, #254, #875, #876, #1038, #1039, and #1076 — a palette that includes greens, mauves, and naturalistic botanical tones to capture the herb's foliage and flowers.
• Juniper: 1 skein each of Anchor Stranded Cotton shades #129, #176, #241, #246, and #258 — a cooler palette of blue-greens and deeper tones suited to the juniper plant's distinctive colouring.

Fabric

Both designs are stitched on green evenweave fabric with a thread count of 112 threads per 10 cm. Evenweave fabric is specifically designed for counted embroidery, as its consistent weave structure ensures that each cross stitch is perfectly square. The green ground fabric enhances the botanical theme and reduces the amount of background stitching required.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for 1 tapestry needle size 24, which is the standard needle type for counted cross stitch on evenweave fabric. Tapestry needles have a blunt tip that passes between fabric threads without splitting them, and a large eye suitable for threading multiple strands of stranded cotton. Additionally, one picture frame for each design is recommended to finish and display the