Closely Kept No. 3 - Digital Cross Stitch Pattern

Inspired by a cased tintype* found in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) online archives, this semi-reproduction interprets the motif embellishment that’s debossed into the velvet on the left side of the case.

Closely Kept is a series of numbered patterns that showcase the unique motifs in NMAAHC’s collection of photo cases.

Although most of their identities are lost to time, these cases were surely treasured and closely kept.

This pattern uses only one color, so feel free to switch it out!

This is a digital PDF file of a cross stitch pattern. This is not a tangible, stitched final product.

Stitch Count: 55 x 70 ; Assisi** - 61 x 76

Finished Size:

14 ct / 28 ct over two = 3.9 x 5 inches (10 x 12.7 cm) ; Assisi - 4.4 x 5.4 inches (11.1 x 13.8 cm)
16 ct / 32 ct over two = 3.4 x 4.4 inches (8.7 x 11.1 cm) ; Assisi - 3.8 x 4.8 inches (9.7 x 12.1 cm)
18 ct / 36 ct over two = 3.1 x 3.9 inches (7.8 x 9.9 cm) ; Assisi - 3.4 x 4.2 inches (8.6 x 10.7 cm)
20 ct / 40 ct over two = 2.75 x 3.5 inches (7 x 8.9 cm) ; Assisi - 3.1 x 3.8 inches (7.9 x 9.7 cm)

Stitch Total: 1404 ; Assisi - 3232

Stitch Types: full cross stitches

Amount of Colors: 1

Regular model stitched 1 strand over 1 thread on 20 count Hot Cocoa aida by Colour & Cotton with Roxy Floss Co. floss in Desert Sand.

Assisi model stitched 1 strand over 1 thread on 25 count Granite lugana by BeStitchMe with Roxy Floss Co. floss in Ochre.

PDF includes:

• multi-page pattern in black and white symbols
• single page pattern in black and white symbols
• floss key
• DMC conversion recommendations
• compatibility with Pattern Keeper app

Share progress on Instagram tagging @shadedstitchery!

*Source: Tintype of two men wearing suits, photographer unidentified. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. URL - https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.155.155

**Assisi - a technique originating in Medieval Italy that produces a colored background where the motif in the design is void.

The original tintype digital image is part of the public domain with Creative Commons Zero (CC0) designation. Usage of its likeness is allowed under the Smithsonian’s Open Access policy.