In Your Element: The Periodic Table Stitchalong

Welcome to the In Your Element: The Periodic Table Stitchalong! In this almost year-long adventure during 2027 you will cross stitch the entire Periodic Table of the Elements, with a different picture for every single element (all 118 of them!).

Stitchalong packs containing fabric and matching needle minder are available for pre-order only until 25 October – do check them out :-)

The Periodic Table is one of the core images and concepts of science, and gives so much insight into the structure of everything around us. Each picture represents a way in which the element is used, occurs naturally, or has another link with the element. Background colours show the chemical series of the elements.

A huge 84 pages of written text is included throughout the stitchalong, with a separate section on every element. The introductory booklet contains a comprehensive introduction to chemistry, atomic and nuclear physics, and the structure and concepts behind the Periodic Table. I have a physics degree and have done a massive amount of research for this pattern! No previous knowledge is needed – my patterns are for everyone :-)

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 2027. The photographs in this listing show the first section.

When you purchase the stitchalong, you will receive by instant download an introductory PDF booklet. The booklet gives all the information you need to prepare to stitch the pattern. This includes a thread list, pattern size, suggestions on choosing fabric and a 14 page written introduction to the history and science of the Periodic Table. You will also receive comprehensive stitching instructions.

Note that the initial 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. The files are sent as PDFs in one zip file. Please unzip the file (right click > extract all) after downloading, and then you can open each PDF within the file.

You will then receive the pattern installments by email on the following dates:

Part 1: 15th January 2027
Part 2: 15th February 2027
Part 3: 15th March 2027
Part 4: 15th April 2027
Part 5: 15th May 2027
Part 6: 15th June 2027
Part 7: 15th July 2027
Part 8: 15th August 2027
Part 9: 15th September 2027
Part 10: 15th October 2027
Part 11: 15th November 2027

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 #PeriodicTableSAL

The stitched area of the finished piece is: 240 stitches wide x 179 stitches high

On 14 count fabric this is approximately 17.1 x 12.8 inches or 43.5 x 32.5 cm
On 16 count fabric this is approximately 15.0 x 11.2 inches or 38.1 x 28.4 cm
On 18 count fabric this is approximately 13.3 x 9.9 inches or 33.9 x 25.3 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 16 count ‘Fabric Flair Outer Space’ printed fabric. This fabric shows stars and galaxies against a grey background. This gives a fun background for the Periodic Table, since all the elements were made in the Big Bang, in stars, or in the explosive deaths and collisions of stars.

If you want to use a different fabric, most colours would work well so long as the thread colours show up against them, so go with what you love! Both black and white stitches need to show up against the fabric, so I don’t recommend anything very dark or very light. The pattern uses a wide variety of colours for all the different elements. I would suggest not using a very busy fabric, given that it is quite a busy pattern!

Don’t forget that for a very limited time I am selling stitchalong packs with fabric and needle minders (or you can also buy the fabric and/or needle minder separately)!

I have used one speciality thread in this pattern - glow in the dark thread DMC E940. This can be replaced with DMC Blanc if you prefer not to use glow in the dark thread.

46 thread colours are used in the design. You'll need two skeins of two of the colours, and one skein or less of the others.

The pattern features full cross stitches, backstitch, and some fractional backstitch. There are no fractional cross stitches. French knots are only used in i’s in the chemical symbols.

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 piece so far; close up patterns just of that month's section; a full thread key and a specific thread key for that section; and detailed information on every element you are stitching that month.

Skill level: Suitable for those with some experience of cross stitch.

Pattern is model stitched by Ellie Darman.

Patterns are for personal use only.

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