Natures Gifts Symbolised in Native American Counted Cross Stitch

An ever popular subject, Native American counted cross stitch designs depict not only the people themselves, but items and animals important to their traditions and spirituality.

The themes represented in the patterns reflect the power and the legend that the indigenous people of North America feel towards animals and plants. Other ideas like bravery, generosity and honesty are also represented as themes in the motifs.

Important creatures include the bear, coyote, cougar, raven, wolf, eagle and the sacred white buffalo, all of which you will find in Native American counted cross stitch designs. Eagle feathers, highly prized sacred possessions often used in headresses, are also likely to be present in many patterns.

Other spiritually important items are the peace pipe and the medicine wheel. The pipe is used in Native American ceremonies as they say a prayer to the four directions. The medicine wheel is used either literally in the patterns or symbolically with the pattern enclosed in a circle representing the "sacred hoop" or "cycle of life".

Native Americans have used stitchery and beadwork throughout their history. In their traditional ceremonies, like the Sun Dance, they dress in traditional clothing. One tribe, the Seminoles of Florida, have used different sized scraps of fabric - from tiny to large - to create cotton patchwork clothing to either wear or sell. Some Native American cross stitch patterns include this Seminole patchwork as a decorative border.

In days gone by they carved beads out of bone, horn, hooves, turtle shell and wood for use on ritual items and clothing. They also drilled holes in animal teeth and dyed flattened porcupine quills to wear as neck chokers and dance regalia breastplates.

By the early 1800's they began to use larger glass beads, known as pony beads after the animals the traders rode. Smaller seed beads in a variety of colours became easily obtainable in the late 1840's and allowed more intricate designs to be worked in Peyote stitch. The inclusion of seed beads in a Native American counted cross stitch design follows on from this tradition.

Article Source: http://www.aword2thewise.com

Julia Wigham is a professional author and co-founder of Patterns Patch cross stitch forums. An online cross stitch club whose members get free: patterns, articles and tutorials. Come to our colorful => cross stitch blogs right now.

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