The document describes the process for creating a needlework pattern for a geometric rose rug. 1) The designer starts with graph paper and colored pencils to chart one part of the repeating pattern. 2) This part is then copied and pasted as many times as needed to fill the virtual canvas, with mistakes sometimes found during this process. 3) Once satisfied, the designer experiments with color combinations and adds a decorative border incorporating elements from the main design.

1. Geometric Rose Rug

2. I was asked how I
create a needlework
pattern.
I usually use graph
paper and coloured
pencils.
In order to produce a
chart that I can print and
distribute, I do the
following…

3. I would like to work this design on 22 point canvas.
So I start with an on-screen “blank canvas” that is
a multiple of 22 pixels. (1 pixel = 1 stitch)
This gives me a good idea of how the design will
look when it is made up.

4. With a geometric design, I first chart one part of
the pattern repeat.
I can then copy and paste this part as many times
as I need to.
This is when I often realise that I have made a
mistake.

5. When I am satisfied that everything is in the
right place, I start to play around with ideas.

6. A small change can make a surprising difference.

7. I try to use elements from the main design, to make
a decorative border.

8. This is a “nice” design.
Things do not always go this smoothly !
As the sides of a rug are usually
different lengths, I almost always
have to “tweak” the pattern.

9. So far, so good !

10. I think the design will work well in a variety of
colour-ways.

11. As I am planning to share this design, I need to
turn it into a chart.
The Royal School of Needlework software will do
this for me, all I need to do is 1. Save the design as a bitmap file
2. Import it into The RSN programme
3. Select the size of chart size I would like
4. Press a button to convert it

12. That is the easy bit.
Sometimes colours vanish,
or change dramatically,
when the chart is created.

13. Sometimes, however, I am pleasantly surprised.

14. When I am happy with the chart, I turn it into a
pdf.
I do this because a pdf should print at exactly
the size I want it to.
In this case, on one piece of A4 paper.

15. If you spot any mistakes, please let me know !