The Blackwork Valais Blacknose sheep is an intermediate to advanced embroidery in my blackwork art embroidery designs. The mountains are advanced level of blackwork embroidery as there is a lot of compensation of the blackwork patterns and changing the density of the pattern and thickness of the thread. The sheep and grass and rocks are intermediate level blackwork embroidery. You can choose to have the two sheep standing in the grass and rocks without the mountains in the background, this will reduce the number of hours that you will spend stitching the embroidery. There are 30 pages of detailed instructions with step-by-step numbered patterns and pictures to guide you through the embroidery. The embroidery is worked in the tissue paper transfer method. This is an easier method than working the pattern directly from a set chart as there is more versatility where each pattern can be worked so is less complicated to work. There is not a full chart of the embroidery in the instructions. Each blackwork sheep embroidery will come out slightly different making the embroidery unique to you and you will have a piece of stitched art that you you will be proud of. The blackwork is intermediate to advanced and is not intended to be worked on 14 or 16 count Aida, so you should be able to count on 28 count or 32 count fabric (the original embroidery was worked on 32 count Belfast linen). A stitching light and magnification are an asset to work the embroidery. If you are not sure if the technique is for you, you could try the Introductory to Blackwork – Small Blackwork Butterfly first which is quicker and easier to work and the Blackwork Lovebirds – Just the Two of Us which will give you a good foundation in the blackwork technique. Embroidery Size (the original embroidery was worked on 32 count Belfast linen): 28 Count Fabric: 9 1/4 inches (23 1/4 cm) high by 9 1/4 inches (23 1/4 cm) wide 32 Count Fabric: 8 inches (20 1/4 cm) high by 8 inches (20 1/4 cm) wide Supplies Needed To Work The Embroidery: Sheet of White Tissue Paper A Piece of Counted Fabric 14 inches (35 cm) by 14 inches (35 cm) One Spool of Black DMC No. 12 Perle Cotton One Skein of Black Soie D’alger Silk Thread One Skein of Black DMC Embroidery Cotton One Skein of Dark Grey Weeks Dye Works Variegated Cotton Thread One Skein of Black YLI Silk Thread One Spool of Silver Kreinik Fine Metallic Thread Three Part Skeins of Green Weeks Dye Works Variegated Cotton Thread Part Skein of Pink Soie D’alger Silk Thread Red Polyester Sewing Thread 12 inch by 12 inch Stretcher Bar Frame and Thumb Tacks Embroidery Scissors Two Size 10 Crewel Embroidery Needle Packet of Size 26 or Size 28 Tapestry Needles Pencil Tweezers for Removing Tissue Paper Dressmaker Pins
