Hands Across the Sea - Eliza Knight

A printed booklet by Hands Across the Sea Samplers

We believe that this traditional English sampler was stitched by Eliza “as the first efforts of a youthful hand”, in the first half of the 19^th century, as part of her education. The sampler shows aptitude for needlework and her stitching is precise. The sampler was executed in fine silks which some 200 hundred years later have retained their vibrancy. Regrettably the sampler yields no further insights into Eliza and it is only against a background of the period in which she lived that we can get a “glimpse” of what life was like for her and other Victorian women. It takes a considerable leap of the imagination for a 21st century woman to realise what her life would have been like had she been born in Eliza’s time and walked in her footsteps.

The stitches used are cross stitch over 1 and 2 threads, a handful of satin stitches and Algerian eyelets. The sampler is suitable for all level of abilities.

Hands Across the Sea Samplers wish you many hours of enjoyment stitching this beautiful sampler. Whilst doing so we hope that you remember the original creator  ~ Eliza Knight.

Thread Legend

The sampler has been reproduced with Au Ver à Soie d’Alger silks and the skein quantities calculated based on 1 strand on 36ct fabric. We have provided conversions for DMC based on 2 strands. The original sampler was stitched on linen closest in colour to DMC shade 613 and measuring approximately 11.75 x 15.75 inches.

Soie d’Alger /  DMC          

F11 x 1 / 739 x 1 ~ Tan ~ ultra very light

Noir x 1 / 310 x 1 ~ Black

1745 x 1  / 3768 x 1 ~ Grey green ~ dark

1845 x 2 / 501 x 2 ~ Blue green ~ dark

2144 x 1 / 732 x 1 ~ Olive green

2145 x 1 / 730 x 1 ~ Olive green ~ very dark

2757 x 1 / 926 x 1 ~ Grey green ~ medium

2914 x 1 / 3712 x 1 ~  Salmon ~ medium

2916 x 1 / 347 x 1 ~ Salmon ~ very dark

3726 x 1 / 3362 x 1 ~ Pine green ~ dark

3812 x 1 / 738 x 1 ~ Tan ~ very light

3836 x 1 / 3021 x 1 ~ Brown grey ~ very dark

4113 x 1 / 3864 x 1 ~ Mocha beige ~ light

4131 x 1 / 898 x 1 ~ Coffee brown ~ very dark

4525 x 2 / 420 x 2 ~ Hazel nut brown ~ dark

4624 x 1 / 815 x 1 ~ Garnet ~ medium

5025 x 2  / 500 x 2 ~ Blue green ~ very dark

5381 x 1 / 928 x 1 ~ Grey green ~ very light

LINEN SIZES

The design area is 276 stitches (w) x 368 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3” margin for finishing and framing.

28ct ~ Design: 19.71″ x 26.29″ Fabric: 25.71″ x 32.29″

30ct ~ Design: 18.40″ x 24.53″ Fabric: 24.40″ x 30.53″

32ct ~ Design: Design: 17.25″ x 23.00″ Fabric: 23.25″ x 29.00″

36ct ~ Design: 15.33″ x 20.44″ Fabric: 21.33″ x 26.44″

40ct ~ Design: 13.80″ x 18.40″ Fabric: 19.80″ x 24.40″

46ct ~ Design: 12.00″ x 16.00″ Fabric: 18.00″ x 22.00″