"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery" — Mark Van Doren

I entered into an art duel with Kungund Benehonig in February 2021. We decided on a medieval pattern that included acorns because of her work with kids in the SCA and a song she had written on the subject.

Shortly afterwards, things changed in her life and she couldn't follow through with the contest. Tracy Gray took up my challenge and we agreed to stitch 1 yard of that trim.

The resulting trims were judged by Melinda Sherbring and Tracy won by 2 points, with 55 points out of 55!

A note about the pattern, there is an error on the 1st leaf on the 3rd set from the left it has an extra stitch on the left side (see yellow arrow).

Modifications

I chose to stitch mine in blue instead of red to go with Caidian (or Dreiburgen) colors. The ribbon fabric we chose to use was one square too narrow to fit the pattern (without the border), so I modified the pattern to fit by removing one row of the vine. While I was at it, I removed the vine curls, and made the acorns less square.

I also used different weights of thread to give the trim some variety. The vine and acorns are done in 4 strands of thread, the leaves done in 2 strands for a lacy, and the caps in 1 strand for the cross cross pattern that you see on acorn caps. I really like the look of the cap done in 1 strand!!

Is It Period For Pre-1600 Usage

I used cotton embroidery floss and cotton Aida cloth, both of which are not period, but they were easier for me to acquire and work with.

The pattern is a 16th century German folk pattern(1) and cross stitch can be found as far back as the 5th century BC. Additionally, "In Spain during the during the time of the Moors (756-1492) blackwork became the form of choice, using the cross stitch, back stitch, and several other simple stitiches to develop patterns of a single color - usually black, but not necessarily - onto white fabric."(2)

1) Charted Folk Designs for Cross-Stitch Embroidery by Maria Foris, Edited by Andreas Foris, Dover Publications, 1975.
    A reprint of Susann Folk Cross-Stitch Charts by Schaldus-Verlag, Nurenberg, 1950.

2) Cross Stitch is TOO Period by Baroness Elana Blakefenn