Interlocked

Graduated blackwork fills are used in this design to create 12 interwoven shapes. There are no fractional stitches and only short corner to corner diagonals, but if you are new to blackwork I would recommend starting with something a little simpler as it is one of my more challenging designs.

Although this chart is quite complex, I've designed it in a way that will hopefully help you along as you stitch. Each section has a simple 'base' layer consisting of an all over blackwork design. Once this is stitched you then add to it, magically creating the shading. The chart includes each section broken down into the base layer and the additions that create the shading, as you can see in the image included in the listing. Despite this, if you are a complete beginner, I would recommend you try stitching something a little more straightforward first (you could check out the selection in the 'freebies' section in my shop to try before you buy!)

My sample uses 18 count white Aida, Sulky 12 wt cotton for the outlines and 30 wt for the fills inside. This would be my recommendation. You could use 2 strands of DMC for the outlines and a single strand for the fills, but this will give a slightly different effect as they will be a little bit thicker (on 16 count the effect would most likely be pretty similar) You could choose to use a single strand for the outlines too if you wish, but again the effect will differ slightly from my sample.

Design size in stitches 148 x 148 

On 14 count 27 x 27 cm (11 x 11 inches), so you can pop it in a 12 inch hoop to work on/display

On 16 count 24 x 24 cm (9.5 x 9.5 inches), should just about fit in a 10 inch hoop!

On 18 count 21 x 21 cm (8.5 x 8.5 inches), so good for a 10 inch hoop too :)