Xeric: a needlework chart for any craft

The random number generator picked Xeric from the suggestions for this post, suggested by Susan C and Bookwyrm, two of my Patreon supporters.

I developed a complicated knitting stitch pattern for Xeric but I also like to provide a basic chart for any craft that’s worked on a grid: beads, cross stitch, whatever. I also try to provide at least some digital art of the pattern repeated all over not as a chart. It doesn’t necessarily look like a finished object for any particular craft, but I just want to give a sense of it in use. (I try to make it look like knitting when it’s got floats short enough for easy stranded knitting.)

illustration showing how the Xeric chart might look as stranded knitting.
chart showing how to work Xeric needlework by means of dark and light squares
click to enlarge
  • Xeric has a repeat of14 + 1 columns and 6 + 1 rows.
  • In the written instructions, color A is the light squares above, and color B is the dark.
  • The written instructions below are formatted for stranded knitting, but it is my hope that they could be translated into instructions for other crafts. For instance, if working filet crochet, 1 A could be one open square and 2 B could be two filled-in squares.
  • Designers, please feel free to use this in your patterns (no need to ask). I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
  • My blog posts and free stitch patterns are supported by subscriptions on Patreon or donations to my Paypal tip jar in the sidebar. If you appreciate my work, please consider helping out. Thanks!

Round 1: work knit as follows; *1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 5 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B; work from *.

Round 2: work knit as follows; *2 B, 2 A, 1 B, 1 A, 3 B, 1 A, 1 B, 2 A, 2 B; work from *.

Round 3: work knit as follows; *(1 B, 1 A) × 2, 2 B, 3 A, 2 B, (1 A, 1 B) × 2; work from *.

Round 4: work knit as follows; *1 A, 1 B, 2 A, 3 B, 1 A, 3 B, 2 A, 1 B, 1 A; work from *.

Round 5: work knit as follows; *(1 B, 1 A) × 2, 2 B, 3 A, 2 B, (1 A, 1 B) × 2; work from *.

Round 6: work knit as follows; *2 B, 2 A, 1 B, 1 A, 3 B, 1 A, 1 B, 2 A, 2 B; work from *.

Round 7: work knit as follows; *1 B, 3 A, 1 B, 5 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B; work from *.