Animals Tree of Life Stitchalong
This listing is to purchase the Animals Tree of Life Stitchalong! This is a large, accurate and beautiful piece of 69 different animals representing all the major animal groupings in biology. The animals are arranged in a 'Tree of Life' showing which are more closely related to each other, and where certain groups of animals branch off from others. Once completed you will have a stunning heirloom cross stitch picture to treasure. The booklets include detailed explanations of everything you are stitching, so no prior biology knowledge is needed.
This is a mystery stitchalong, so you won’t see the other pattern sections until they are revealed each month. The stitchalong runs for 11 sections, from January to November 2025. In the first section you will stitch the base of the tree, the words 'Tree of Life' and the animals shown in the stitched photos. You will then receive a new installment with between 5 and 7 animals, and their linking tree branches, every month. Each animal is very carefully designed to be as accurate as possible a depiction of that particular animal, within the size constraints.
When you purchase the stitchalong, you will receive by instant download an introductory PDF booklet, and all the patterns released so far. The introductory booklet gives all the information you need to prepare to stitch the pattern. This includes a thread list, pattern size, comments on choosing fabric and a written introduction to the theory of evolution and the concept of the tree of life. You will also receive comprehensive stitching instructions.
Note that the download link will be sent to the email address given in your order, not to the email address you've typed in the request box, if the two are different. There will also be a link to download the file directly from the completed order page.
You will then receive the pattern installments by email on the following dates:
Part 2: 10th February 2025
Part 3: 10th March 2025
Part 4: 10th April 2025
Part 5: 10th May 2025
Part 6: 10th June 2025
Part 7: 10th July 2025
Part 8: 10th August 2025
Part 9: 10th September 2025
Part 10: 10th October 2025
Part 11: 10th November 2025
Each section is emailed out at 9am UK time. The emails will be sent to the email address you've typed in the request box.
***You will receive the patterns by digital download and email, and not by physical mail. No physical products are included in this purchase.***
If you’re not already in the busy and friendly Climbing Goat Designs stitchers Facebook group, please come and join us there if you’d like to chat and share your progress. And to share on Instagram the stitchalong hashtag is #TreeOfLifeSAL
The stitched area of the finished piece is: 252 stitches wide x 344 stitches high
On 14 count fabric this is approximately 18.0 x 24.6 inches or 45.7 x 62.4 cm
On 16 count fabric this is approximately 15.8 x 21.5 inches or 40.0 x 54.6 cm
On 18 count fabric this is approximately 14.0 x 19.1 inches or 35.6 x 48.5 cm
Other count fabrics can be used - just adjust the sizing accordingly.
These dimensions do not include the border of fabric you will need to leave around the design. I recommend you leave a further 2-3 inches all the way round (which means that you need to add 4-6 inches to your size measurements).
The pattern was model stitched on ‘Cordelia’ hand dyed fabric. This beautiful fabric was created especially for this stitchalong by Sophie Abell of Stitchy Ferret in the United Kingdom. It has both blue and green shades to represent the blue of the ocean and sky, and the green of the land. You can buy the fabric at https://www.thestitchyferret.com/products/tree-of-life-sal-fabric - it is available in 14, 16 and 18 count versions, all at sizes suitable for this stitchalong. The model was stitched on the 16 count version. The fabric is also available in 14 count opal. If you would like a higher count fabric please message Sophie as she may be able to supply it.
Most colours of fabric would work well for this stitchalong, so I encourage you to choose what you love the best! A lot of fabric shows through between all the different animals so it’s worth getting a coloured fabric. The animals are many different colours so they don’t need to match to any particular colour. Just make sure your fabric isn’t too dark or too jazzy in case the animals don’t show up well. The pattern is designed for mid-toned or pale fabric, not dark fabric. It is a busy piece with so many different animals, so a very jazzy fabric may overwhelm the stitching. The thread colour for the branching ‘tree’ itself can be changed to any colour thread that best suits your fabric.
60 thread colours are used in the design. You will need 2 skeins of the colour you want for the tree branches, and 3 skeins of DMC 310 (Black). You will need 1 skein or less of all the other colours.
The pattern features full cross stitches, backstitch, fractional backstitch, and French knots for any i’s and j’s in the animal or animal family names.
On each section release date you will receive two extensive pattern booklets, one with colour patterns and one with black & white patterns (with colour backstitch). The pattern booklets include split page and single page patterns of the whole charts; split page and single page booklets just of that month's section; and detailed information on every animal and biological grouping featured in the piece.
Skill level: Suitable for those with experience of cross stitch.
Pattern is model stitched by Ellie Darman.
Patterns are for personal use only.
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