Clydesdale (6)

Instructions for working the Clydesdale

MATERIAŁ USED: The original of this design was stitched on 14 count Rustico Aida using 2 strands of DMC Art 117.

CENTERING: Find the centre of the fabric by folding it in half, left to right, top to bottom. Arrows on the graph indicate centre. Count up from centre of chart to top of design ... count the same on the fabric. I strongly recommend working downwards from the top.

WORK HORIZONTALLY: Stitch with diagonal stitches across rows in one direction within an area of colour, coming back across those same stitches in the opposite direction so as to form crosses.

A FRAME will result in morę even stitching. I prefer to work on a floor- or lap-frame as this allows for complete freedom of both hands and keeps work far cleaner.

WASHING: Should washing be reąuired, use tepid water with a dash of liquid detergent. Launder gently, rubbing lightly (if necessary) with a corner of the fabric. Rinse in elear water and hang in shade. Iron lightly on wrong side.

To work the Clydesdale you will need:

If working on 14 count you will need fabric cut to no less than 20 x 15in.

16 count    18x11.5in.

18 count    17x11in.

These measurements allow 3in. at top, bottom and each side of stitched area.

DMC:

Black White

(48 x 30cm) (46 x 29cm) (43 x 28cm)

645    647

3772

Anchor:

2    273

830    889

Ecru 433 648    754

310    358

898    900

434    435

780    838

436    437

839    840

610 611 844    898

642    642

3371

360    362

1007    1012

379    380

1040    1041

382    387

1045    1046

392    403

Anchor 310 substitutes for both DMC 434 and 780. Anchor 360 substitutes for both DMC 839 and 898.

This breed of horse surely is the gentle giant of the animai kingdom. I was fortunate to grow up on the family property of Avondale, Miners Rest near Ballarat where we had a team of the wonderful creatures. As I tlny child I remember walking between their legs massive without fear.

My father, his father, and his father before him used them for hauling timber cut for firewood from the nearby forest, and for ploughing (plowing) and other heavy equipment.

I imagine that my great-grandfather William Ross and family took the original stock with them when they sailed for Australia from Liverpool in 1863.

The Clydesdale originates in the Clyde Valley. once known as Clydesdale, in the Scottish county of Lanarkshire. The Clydesdale is a very active animai and must have regular exercise. In the north of England and in Scotland they are still occasionally used for transporting timber, and for traditional farmwork. They are still in demand and exported to some European countries, as well as to the United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia.

Our subject, 'Norwood Brigadeen' of Oueensdale Clyde Stud, was photographed by lan Dann of the Gold Coast.