Blackwork Barnacle Goose

• By [Carol Leather]
• 
  

Arctic grace in monochrome—folklore and feathers rendered in exquisite blackwork

Product Description:

Let the hush of a winter morning settle over your hoop. With each measured Holbein stitch, this elegant barnacle goose emerges—calm, steadfast, and beautifully at home against a snow-white sky. It’s the kind of rhythmic, mindful stitching that nourishes the spirit while creating a striking statement piece for your wall.

Inspired by the barnacle goose’s crisp mask and patterned back, the design uses varied blackwork fills to sculpt light, shadow, and the soft layering of feathers. The background is deliberately left unstitched, so the negative space reads as fresh tundra. A nod to old folklore—when people believed these birds sprang from sea barnacles because no one saw their northern nests—adds story and charm to your stitch.

Finish it as a framed piece for winter décor, a thoughtful gift for a bird lover, or the centerpiece of a black-and-white gallery wall. Advanced stitchers will relish the precision; adventurous intermediates will grow in confidence. Monochrome by default, yet easily personalized by swapping to cool greys or sepia for a vintage look.

Highlighted Feature: Realistic feather shading achieved through layered blackwork fills—no shading floss required.

PATTERN DETAILS: This is an instant download digital pattern in PDF format.

• Skill Level: Advanced
• Fabric: Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave recommended
• Stitch count: 155 x 176
• Design size: 12.5 x 11 in on 14 ct
• Stitches Used: Double running (Holbein) and backstitch
• Colour Palettes: Monochrome in DMC 310 (black) or stitcher’s choice

YOUR DOWNLOAD INCLUDES:

• 4-page black-and-white chart with key/legend
• Full instruction sheets

Begin your winter stitch journey today—add to cart, download instantly, and watch the tundra come to life one line at a time.

• Please Note: This listing is for a digital PDF pattern only. No physical materials (fabric, floss, needle) will be shipped.