How To Create a Smile? Cross Stitch a Pansy!

Whether you call them “johnny jump ups”, violas, or pansies, nature gives us these sweet faces that make us smile in the dead of winter in the South. Learn how to bring smiles to friends and family anytime of the year by stitching these counted cross stitch pansy designs from AC Needlework.

Did You Know?

Regardless what name you give them, pansies come from the plant species viola tricolor. Some have four petals pointing upward, others only three. The original pansy had three colors – white, purple and yellow. Today hybrid versions come in all sorts of colors – orange, red, even a dark shade of purple that looks black.

Pansy comes from the French word, penser (feminine, pensee), which means to think or ponder over. Because the flower looks like a human face, it seemed that the flower was deep in thought. In the 19^th century, the English used the flower for courting a sweetheart. Pansies symbolized sentiments like, “I am feeling amorous toward you, I am thinking about you, or I am missing you.”

Cross Stitch a Pansy and Make Someone Smile

I don’t know about you but I can’t look at a pansy without smiling. There is just something about those little colorful faces looking up at me on a cold winter day that cheers me up. One day I was just inspired to create two cross stitch pansy designs. Here are the pattern details for each one.

Johnny Jump Up Counted Cross Stitch Design

Design Details

Stitch Count - 46w x 45h

Finished Size - 2.88 x 2.63” (7.31cm x 6.68cm);16 count Aida fabric

Colors -12

DMC floss used

Yellow and Apricot Pansy Counted Cross Stitch Pattern

Design Details

Stitch Count - 48w x 44h

Finished Size - 3.00” x 2.75” (2.75cm x 6.98cm) 16 count Aida fabric

Colors - 4

DMC floss used

Both patterns stitch up beautifully as greeting cards or coasters.

Greeting Cards

(Aperture cards from Craft Creatiions)

Coasters

Perhaps you know someone who needs cheering up or you want to share positive thoughts with another. Send them a pansy stitched by you. I hope you will cross stitch a pansy and make someone smile!

Suggested Reading:

https://theplantfarm.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/beneath-the-petals-fun-facts-about-pansies-and-violas/

http://www.flowermeaning.com/pansy-flower-meaning/