Varnish & Thread: Holly Sprig Cross Stitch Pattern after Prang, Christmas Botanical, Mini + Medium (PDF)

Holly Sprig is a counted cross-stitch pattern from the Varnish & Thread collection, for botanical and Christmas stitchers who want a simple holly sprig with red berries on a plain ground, for an ornament, card or hoop. Counted cross-stitch chart of a holly sprig with red berries from Louis Prang & Co.'s colour lithograph series Autumn Leaves (1862). Charted from The Met's public-domain image. Two sizes of the same design: a mini for an ornament or card, and a medium for a hoop.

This is a digital download of PDF patterns. Nothing is shipped: no fabric, floss, hoop or printed paper.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• 2 charts, each as two PDFs: a black-symbol chart designed for Pattern Keeper, and a printable colour + symbol chart
• In every PDF: a cover page with the finished size, a how-to page, a floss key (symbol, DMC number, colour name, stitch count, skein estimate) and chart pages with a bold line every 10 stitches
• Varnish-and-Thread_prang-holly-sprig_Start-Here.pdf: a short Start Here guide (opening the files, printing, Pattern Keeper import, art credit)
• Full cross stitch only: no backstitch, no fractional stitches

SIZES, STITCH COUNTS AND FLOSS (DMC numbers)

• Mini: 50 × 76 stitches (3,800 stitches), 12 colours, 2 chart pages (5 pages per PDF).

Finished size: 11-count 4.5 × 6.9 in; 14-count 3.6 × 5.4 in; 16-count 3.1 × 4.8 in; 18-count 2.8 × 4.2 in (Aida, 1 stitch per square; 28-count evenweave over two = 14-count).

DMC floss: 3866, 904, 936, 838, 350, 905, 21, 524, 801, 163, 989, 06

• Medium: 120 × 182 stitches (21,840 stitches), 30 colours, 6 chart pages (9 pages per PDF).

Finished size: 11-count 10.9 × 16.5 in; 14-count 8.6 × 13.0 in; 16-count 7.5 × 11.4 in; 18-count 6.7 × 10.1 in (Aida, 1 stitch per square; 28-count evenweave over two = 14-count).

DMC floss: 3866, 936, 905, 904, 838, 937, 898, 801, 3031, 347, 987, 163, 350, 562, 606, 06, 701, 355, 3777, 224, 351, 676, 954, 164, 3012, 3830, 3859, 3852, 611, 3023

PATTERN KEEPER

The symbol PDF is designed for Pattern Keeper: real font symbols, a key with Number and Name columns, Letter-size pages of up to 60 × 70 stitches and no overlapping rows, following Pattern Keeper's published import guidance. It has not yet been tested in the app itself, so I don't call it compatible. It also prints normally.

THE ARTWORK (PUBLIC DOMAIN)

Title: Holly, from "Autumn Leaves", Part 2

Artist: Louis Prang & Co.

Date: 1862

Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/412757

The artwork is in the public domain, and the museum released this image under CC0 (Open Access).

Credit: Holly, from "Autumn Leaves", Part 2, Louis Prang & Co., 1862. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Public domain.

Chart design by Varnish & Thread. Not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the museum or DMC.

HOW THIS PATTERN WAS MADE

The charts are generated by software from the public-domain museum image: the program crops and resizes the artwork, groups its colours, matches each one to the nearest DMC floss number and lays out the symbols and pages, and the results are checked. No AI image generator was used. The cover and preview images are digital previews rendered from the chart, not photos of stitched pieces, so real stitching will look slightly different. This description was drafted with an AI writing assistant and checked against the chart files.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD

1. Right after checkout your download page opens, and the download link is also emailed to you.
2. Download all the files to a computer or tablet. Each .zip holds the two PDFs for one size.
3. Unzip: double-click on a Mac, right-click > Extract All on Windows, or tap the zip in the Files app on iPad/iPhone.
4. Print the colour PDF at 100% (actual size), or import the symbol PDF into Pattern Keeper. Start with the Start Here guide.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Is this pattern good for a beginner?

A: The mini is a good first project (about 50 stitches wide, up to 12 colours). The medium and large sizes have more colours and stitches, so they suit stitchers with a few finished projects behind them. All sizes use full cross stitch only.

Q: What fabric and floss do I need?

A: Any Aida or evenweave works. The finished sizes above are given for 11, 14, 16 and 18 count. Colours are DMC stranded cotton numbers, and the key in each PDF estimates how many skeins you need. No materials are included.

Q: Does it work with Pattern Keeper?

A: The symbol PDF is designed for Pattern Keeper's published import guidance (font symbols, Number and Name key columns, pages of up to 60 × 70 stitches). It hasn't been tested in the app yet. If an import doesn't work, email me and I'll help or adjust the file.

Q: Are the pictures photos of the finished stitching?

A: No. The cover and preview images are digital previews made by computer from the chart, not photos of a stitched piece. Real stitching will look slightly different.

Q: How do I download it?

A: Your download page opens right after checkout and the link is emailed to you. Download the files, unzip them, then print the colour PDF or open the symbol PDF in your chart app.

Q: Can I get a refund?

A: Refunds are available within 14 days for a file problem I can't fix, or for a duplicate order. Email todorgan@gmail.com with your order details.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Digital PDF download. Nothing will be shipped.
• For personal use. Please don't share or resell the PDF files. You're welcome to sell or gift items you stitch from them.
• Thread colours use DMC floss numbers. Varnish & Thread is not affiliated with DMC.
• Questions or a problem with a file? Email todorgan@gmail.com.