Description
This pattern was created jointly by Elian Aboudi and Lauren Venell to promote solidarity between all people who have a current or ancestral home in the holy land called Palestine, Israel, Canaan, Judea, and other names.
The pattern motifs included here reference symbols commonly adopted by all peoples in the region, such as the hamsa (hand), nazar (eye), tent, and grapevine, as well as symbols unique to some of the area’s major cultures and religions, like the menorah, crescent, and fish. We have also included modern symbols of love and partnership such as hearts and peace signs.
Overall, the design is intended to reference both the physical layers of the region’s geology—from water, to desert, to mountains—as well as the layers of history that have built up over millenia of people moving through the area, influencing each other’s cultures.
Written near the bottom of the pattern are the words Salaam (Arabic) and Shalom (Hebrew), words of peace used both in greeting and departing. We wish each other peace when we come together, and also when we break apart. Though the languages are different, the appearance, the sound, and the meaning of the words are nearly identical, reminding us that despite everything, we are family.
This pattern is quite large—over 1 meter square on 11-count aida, with nearly 200,000 total stitches. This is because it is meant to be stitched in community; 2–4 people can work on it simultaneously.
Though you can stitch it on any count of fabric you wish, we have chosen 11 stitches per inch so that you can stitch it with crosses, in perle cotton (Palestinian tatreez method) and with tent stitch in crewel wool yarn (Jewish needlepoint method). It is our hope that each piece will be stitched using both, by people from different backgrounds who have decided to be siblings rather than enemies.
All proceeds from the sale of this pattern are donated to Heal Palestine. Please do not steal, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission.