April Design of the Month: CARNATION
Needlepoint – 20% Off cross-point™ kit

Lumbar cushion-Carnation #CARB-04

Celebrate Spring with Carnations

Our Special Offer this month is our CARNATION cross-point™ needlepoint kit , available in all stock colors and sizes as offered on the cross-point website. My interpretation of this historic motif is designed for stitching square or lumbar pillows, using the cross-point™ technique – combining the beauty of traditional needlepoint with the ease of counted cross stitch in wool on natural jute.

Last month’s suzani-inspired pattern, Moghul, helped carry us through the final days of winter. Now, as spring arrives and the landscape begins to glow with fresh greens and color, I want to continue that sense of renewal and joy with a historic floral design that reflects the season.

The CARNATION needlepoint kit is available in five stock color choices during April, and in two stock sizes: Square Pillow 17″ x 17″ (43 x 43 cm), and as a lumbar cushion: 20″ x 14″ high (53″ x 37 cm), a “good for your back” pillow. As always, all designs can be stitched in custom colors, and for this month only, custom color options are offered at no extra charge. We also offer custom colors and sizes as needed for upholstery at  $ 0.35 per square inch – ideal for chairs, headboards, ottomans, and stool tops. Please visit the Custom Services page for more details.

Carnation Upholstery Pattern

History of the carnation motif

Stylized carnations and tulips appear again and again throughout history and across many cultures. Whether seen on Greek pottery or on exquisite Ottoman textiles, rugs and suzanis, the distinctive fan-shaped flower feels both traditional and surprisingly modern. From the 16th century onward, Ottoman textiles were widely admired and collected in Europe, influencing crewel work, upholstery, bedhangings and clothing. I previously wrote about how patterns travelled into Europe, specifically the Carnation pattern.

If you are curious about the history of carnations in textiles, carpets, pottery and other art forms, a search for “carnation in historic textiles. It will open a rich world of references. One particularly beautiful source is The Sultan’s Garden: The Blossoming of Ottoman Art by Walter Denny and Sumru Belger Krody. The book was published in connection with an exhibition at the textile Museum in Washington, DC.

The Carnation needlepoint kit brings history, color and a sense of spring into your home – and, as always, the stitching itself is fast, relaxing and deeply satisfying while following easy instructions and large charts. Also, as always, PayPal will bill the Retail price from the website and we issue the 20% discount when we process the order in our studio.

Happy Stitching!

PS. Please leave me a comment – do you enjoy reading about the history of a design motif? Have you ever wondered how crewel stitching came about?