Woodpecker was woven at William Morris' works in Merton Abbey in 1885 - it is his first design for tapestry. The original tapestry wall hanging is in the William Morris Gallery at Walthamstow. It measures 9½ x 5ft (292x152cm) with a pretty Honeysuckle Border and one of Morris' romantic poems.

Woodpecker

Woodpecker Miniature 1

Woodpecker Miniature 2

Beth Russell's elegant needlepoint adaptation necessarily shortens the tree and omits the border and poetry. It is now a perfect size for a firescreen and sticks loyally to Morris' soft aged colouring. The two birds in their orange branches make charming miniature kits.

Large Kit
CANVAS: 14#/in Zweigart Antique Mono De Luxe,
27x20" (68.5x51cm).
DESIGN: 23x16" (58.5x40.5cm).
WOOLS: Appleton crewel.
STITCH: Tent/Basketweave.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Original William Morris Woodpecker tapestry wall hanging

Miniature Kits
CANVAS: 18#/in Zweigart White Interlock,
10x10" (25.5x25.5cm).
DESIGN: 6x6" (15x15cm).
WOOLS: Appleton crewel.
STITCH: Tent/Basketweave.
INSTRUCTIONS:

To find out more about the William Morris Gallery and many other Morris related sites, please visit our links page.

The Woodpecker also makes a nice wall hanging. This classic William Morris tapestry kit makes a great partner for the five designs in The Forest range which feature the same colours and style of foliage.