Luck o’ the Irish

Skill Level: Beginner Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day by giving this cute gift-card holder to a friend. Instead of a gift card, perhaps add some gold-covered chocolate coins and say they are from the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Materials

• 9"x 9" piece 14- count white Aida from DMC®* • One skein each DMC® or Sullivans® USA six-strand embroi

dery floss • Size 24 tapestry needle DMC® Sullivans® 699 45159 green 700 45160 green, bt. 701 45161 green, lt. 702 45162 Kelly green 703 45163 chartreuse 704 45164 chartreuse, bt. 772 45194 yellow green, vy. lt. 444 45099 lemon, dk. 445 45100 lemon, lt. blanc 45001 white 319 45060 pistachio green, vy. dk. 310 45053 black Stitch Count: 41H x 33W Design Size: 3" x 23/8" Instructions: Cross stitch over one square using two strands of floss. Backstitch over one square using two strands of floss.

Finishing Materials & Instructions

• 12" x 12" piece coordinating green fabric • 12" x 12" piece white fabric for lining • One package Mill Hill Treasures 11mm shamrock #12145* • Coordinating ribbon for bow and hanger *See Where to Find It on page 62.

Press stitched piece from reverse side, straightening as much as possible. Trim stitched piece in a rectangle to 14 squares from outer edge of design area. Fold under and press six squares on top and eight squares on vertical sides. Referring to photo throughout, fold fabric to form a point that is 10 squares from bottom of I in Irish. Press resulting pocket shape to hold in place.

Cut two squares of green fabric and two squares of lining fabric 11/4" inches larger both horizontally and vertically than stitched piece. Place one green and one white piece right sides together; stitch around all sides to match stitched piece’s pocket shape using 1/4" seam allowance and leaving an opening for turning. Trim excess fabric at bottom corners. Turn piece right side out; hand-stitch opening closed. Repeat with remaining green and white fabric pieces to make second pocket shape.

Center stitched piece on green side of one pocket shape; blindstitch in place.

Place pocket pieces right sides together; stitch down sides and across bottom point using 1/2" seam allowance; leave top open. Turn pocket right side out.

Attach ribbon bow and handle to pocket and add shamrock, referring to photograph for placement.