The Pink Sparrow has a Sparrow on it
Most of my stitching this week has been on WTNT’s Pink Sparrow. It is just a very nice, easy piece to work on, I’ve found-lovely colors, good variety. The titular Pink Sparrow is in. He is not as pink as I thought, just that little spot on his head, but that’s ok. There is plenty of pink in this. I do not feel cheated of pink.
I think about the little girl or young woman who made this. We don’t know who that is since there is no name. I think she must have really enjoyed her stitching. There is pattern and repetition, but there are also many places where her symmetry is off or a motif really *should* be bumped over one stitch (now that will keep you on your toes as a modern stitcher!) But she didn’t sweat that small stuff. She kept in mind the big picture, the overall look on her design, and considered that little idiosyncrasies were not going to be so noticeable that she should waste time and materials by restitching whole sections to chase perfection. She must have been very mentally healthy!
In this time of great uncertainty, when there seems to be such unbelievable news every day and so much concern and even panic swirling around us, I think this is a good message to take from our stitching foremothers.
Have you seen the #bewellandstitch movement on Instagram? (Here is a lovely example from The Drawn Thread.) Many designers are making free charts for us, giving us something new to work on while we stay home, and urging us to purchase materials to make these designs in order to support our local shops which must close their doors to browsing customers to help fight the virus. At my own store, The Attic, you can place a “curbside pick up” order as well as a traditional phone in/mail order, and I think many other stores throughout the country too. I will be stopping by next week, because if we don’t support our local businesses, which this crisis is affecting terribly, they may not be there when we are allowed to venture freely in their shops again.
I hope you all out there, wherever you are, are healthy, and finding good ways to use your time! “Be Well and Stitch!”
Mary, what a thoughtful, calming post, thank you so much. Lovely work on Pink Sparrow and yes, I have been busily downloading the lovely freebies that are available and buying floss like mad from my local suppliers to get ready for our upcoming full Lockdown (which I have been expecting to happen for weeks now). The world seems to have gone mad, so it was lovely to read this post. hugs, Kaye xxxx
This is lovely, pretty and soft colours. x
Pink Sparrow is looking lovely, it is uncertain times, stay safe x
Pink Sparrow is charming. Wouldn’t you like to know more about the designer when you stitch these antique samplers? I hope my ancestors think about who stitched what I leave behind!! We are certainly fortunate to have our hobby to keep us occupied in a productive way. Take care, Mary &RJ
I think Pink Sparrow looks fabulous and I think that ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff’ is a good motto to live by though it is not always an easy one. Thanks for the hashtag for Instagram.
Hope you and your family are all safe and sound.
Pink Sparrow is looking great! I love the movement with all the free charts. What a great idea. My local stores are doing that too. How smart. Stay well!
The Sparrow looks great, it may not be pink but it’s not much like a sparrow anyway! It still looks lovely . It’s nice to think about the girls who made these samplers originally.
I love all the new freebie charts, such a kind idea. Apparently Lakeside Needlecraft in the UK are busier than ever as everyone is supporting their business.
Such a sweet piece, it looks lovely.
I just started saving some of those free charts, there’s so many to love!
I am just starting pink sparrow and saw yours. I know you finished it awhile ago but I was wondering if you changed any of the colors and what color and count linen you used. Your colors seemed to pop off the linen.
Thanks
Sharon
Hi Sharon! Thanks for asking. I used the called for colors. I fussy stitched some of it to make sure certain colors (I think it was the orange) didn’t show too much brown that was part of the variegation. I used 36 ct parchment by weeks which I think was the called for color if not count. The main change I made was putting in cats instead of dogs! Good luck!