I have longed for years to adapt Morris’ Acanthus and Vine to needlepoint. He designed it so that he might teach himself to weave. He had loved tapestries since childhood and considered it to be a high art form. He set up a loom in his bedroom at Kelmscott House and worked on this every morning from the
10th of May to the 17th of September 1879, some days for ten hours! He kept a diary of his progress and worked for a total of 516 hours!
His friends playfully referred to this design as ‘Cabbage and Vine’ and I find myself affectionately doing the same.

The original, now in Kelmscott Manor, is a little out of shape and quite faded but remains nonetheless beautiful and inspiring.

CANVAS: 12# /in Zweigart deluxe canvas,
                  39 x 44" (99 x 112cm).
DESIGN:   28 x 38½" (71 x 98cm),
WOOLS:   Appleton tapestry (one thread) for the design.
                  Appleton crewel (4 threads) for the background.
                  44 colours.
STITCH: Tent stitch.
INSTRUCTIONS: