Writings and Christian Artwork
by
Ray and Gail Keffer

CHRISMONS AND CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS

Each Chrismon or Christian Symbol has its own meaning which is to symbolize something that represents Jesus Christ and his life.   The word Chrismon has been around for years, but in 1957 the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia obtained a copyright and trademark for the word “Chrismons”.  Many churches today use Chrismons on their tree because it makes the tree so much more meaningful.  According to the definition by the Ascension Lutheran Church a Chrismon can only be in gold to signify the majesty of Christ and white, to symbolize his purity.  If any other color is used, it is not a Chrismon.  Some of our designs have color on them, so they then become Christian symbols and are just as meaningful as the ones in only gold and white.   We have shown them all done in #7 plastic needlepoint canvas (meaning seven holes to an inch) because it can be done by all ages.   We have  included some instructions on the basic stitches shown in our samples.  We recommend that you cut the shapes indicated on the various patterns from 7 square to the mesh, plastic canvas.  This is a very time consuming job.  We found that it was best to have some people cut the forms and then let others do the needlepoint.  Some people can do needlepoint, but are unable to cut the plastic canvas.  We then made up kits with the plastic canvas already cut into the shape, a page of instructions and the yarn we thought they would need for the project and put them in a small plastic bag.  We also provided needles if they were needed by people.  It was something that all ages could do with a little bit of help from those who knew how to do needlepoint.  The needlepoint canvas, needles for that size of canvas, and yarns are available at most craft stores.  There are also some yarn available with gold and white combined that you will see on some of our models.

BASIC CONTINENTAL OR TENT STITCH

This is one of the most versatile and most used stitches in needlework.  It can be worked vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.  This stitch is worked in horizontal rows from right to left, or in vertical rows from top to bottom and diagonal rows from top left to lower right.  Your choice!!!  Follow the numbers on the diagram, coming up at 1 and all odd numbers and going down at 2 and all even numbers.

The one in bold lettering is the most common.  There is another one (Half Cross) that does not take as much yarn shown below, but there is very little room to bury your threads because it is a tighter stitch.  It also takes less yarn, but that is not a concern to us now. We want it to be easy for you, but we are showing it to you in the graph below.

Half Cross Stitch.  You will notice if you try it that the yarn on the back is just straight up and down, but it is tighter to bury your threads behind.  These stitches will distort if you are working on a canvas rather than the plastic canvas we are using.  Because the symbols are going to be back to back, coverage is not essential,
                                             but the first way is much easier in the long run.

   Diagonal Algerian Eye Variation.  Come up at 1 and leave a
   tail of approximately one inch that you will bury behind the
   stitches as you go.  You should always go down in the center. 
   If you come up at 1, down at 2, up at 3 down at 2, up at 4,
   down at 2, up at 5 and down at 2.  You have completed the
   first one.  Continue by coming up at 6 (which was also 4)
   down at 7, up at 8 (which was also 5), down at 7, up at 9,
down at 7, up at 10, down at 7.  You have now completed
two and because you followed the directions, your carry over threads are behind the other stitches!!!   It is easy one you begin to see how it works. 

The Small Cross stitch is always worked vertically or horizontally.  Come up at 1 and leave a tail of approximately 1 inch that you will bury behind the stitches as you go.  You should always go down in the center.  If you come up at 1, down at 2, up at 3 down at 2, up at 4, down at 2, up at 5 and down at 2.  You have completed the first one.  Continue by coming up at 6 (which was also 4) down at 7, up at 8 (which was also 5), down at 7, up at 9, down at 7, up at 10, down at 7.  You have now completed two and because you followed the directions, your carry over threads are behind the other stitches!!!  This is an easy stitch once you see how it works. There are some small open spaces. This is why it is called an open stitch.  Be sure that the stitches are behind the first one on the second one you do so that light will shine through.  Please check this a few times as you begin the second one by holding them together.  It is easy once you get it going, but I have ripped out several times!!!

The Small Cross Diagonal Cross Stitch is always worked diagonally.  Come up at 1 and leave a tail of approximately 1 inch that you will bury behind the stitches as you go.  You should always go down in the center.  If you come up at 1, down at 2, up at 3 down at 2, up at 4, down at 2, up at 5 and down at 2.  You have completed the first one.  Continue by coming up at 6 down at 7, up at 8, down at 7, up at 9, down at 7, up at 10, down at 7.  You have now completed two and because you followed the directions, your carry over threads are behind the other stitches!!!  This is an easy stitch once you see how it works. Continue the one row diagonally, and then put the next row next to it.  See chart on your design sheet.  There are some open spaces. This is why it is called an open stitch.  Be sure that the stitches are behind the first one on the second one you do so that light will shine through.  Please check this a few times as you begin the second one by holding them together.  It is easy once you get it going, but I have ripped out several times!!!

Cross Algerian Eye Variation.  Come up at 1 and leave a tail of approximately 1 inch that you will bury behind the stitches as you go.  You should always go down in the center.  If you come up at 1, down at 2, up at 3 down at 2, up at 4, down at 2, up at 5 and down at 2, up at 6, down at 2, up at 7, down at w, up at 8, down at 2. 
You have completed the first one.  Continue by coming up at 9 which now become a 1 for the next complete stitch.  This is an easy stitch once you see how it works.

THE “T” STITCH.  The “T” Stitch is a beautiful stitch and shows a nice texture.  The T-Stitch is a good background stitch; every other canvas intersection is left unworked. This stitch is best worked in diagonal rows of running stitch. Work all the rows in one direction - numbers on chart first, then those in the opposite direction – letters on the chart.  You must be careful with your traveling threads to avoid dragging the thread across the open holes.  It often used as an open stitch but because we are using 4 ply yarn, it is not very open, but it has a beautiful texture.  We have shown it on several models, but I am not sure it will show up on the tree from a distance, and it is another one of those stitches that takes patience.

These small designs can be included in some of the Chrismons and Christian Symbols according to your designs. 

Click here and go to the first page to select the Chrismon or Christian Symbol you wish to copy. 

© Copyright Raymond Irwin and Gail Kennedy Keffer

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