These people had - and still have - a huge respect for the animals and plants living alongside them. Specific animals have powers and legends associated with them, through which run the themes of bravery, generosity and honesty.



Items representing animals important to the indigenous American natives, including bears, coyotes, cougars, ravens, wolves, eagles, and the white buffalo, are often a part of the Native American counted cross stitch designs. Specific items, like eagle feathers, are usually present either in the headdresses of the clothing being worn or incorporated in some other manner.

We must not forget the peace pipe, smoked in spiritual ceremonies whilst saying a prayer to the four cardinal points, North, South, East and West, coloured divisions of the circular Medicine Wheel. In fact many cross stitch designs of this genre are based on the circle, representing the sacred hoop or cycle of life, reminding us that as one life ends another begins.

Some of the most beautiful Native American cross stitch patterns you will find are those that show the dancers in their traditional regalia. You might find a Sun Dancer or Fancy Dancer, which used hand stitching and beading to complete their regalia. Seminoles of Florida have used cotton pieces to make clothing for themselves, and also as a means of earning a living. Many designers create cross stitch patterns using this Seminole border.

Native Americans have always used items from nature for their ceremonial clothing and jewelry. Beads were carved out of bone, animal horns, hooves, turtle shell and wood. They've also animal teeth and other items like porcupine quills for chokers and breastplates used in dancing.

By the early 1800's they began to use larger glass beads, known as pony beads after the animals the traders rode. Smaller seed beads in a variety of colours became easily obtainable in the late 1840's and allowed more intricate designs to be worked in Peyote stitch. The inclusion of seed beads in a Native American counted cross stitch design follows on from this tradition.