Contra sampler

The Contra sampler

The Code.

  1. The Contra sampler
  2. Contra sample framed
  3. Contra title screen

After all the effort that went into making the heap of cross stitch projects that went into xmas 2006 I had not a single one of my own. Every last piece had been given away, such was my holiday spirit. It didn’t feel right nor justly.

So I began to work on a new project — one that would put all predecessors to shame by its glory. It was to be more complicated than anything I had then produced. This, I would hang upon my wall and be proud to stand in its presence. I stitched, and stitched, and stitched. And I failed.

Perhaps I will share the failure with you one day (I have it well documented). I believe I am past the hurt of it all.

In light of my error, I decided instead to concentrate on a smaller scale effort to display in my home. Contra came to mind, and the combination of burly dudes toting machine guns and cross stitch proved too good to pass up. I only wish I could have found more “traditional” frame. The odd size (8″ × 16″) necessitated a custom frame kit.

Colors used (DMC)

  • 169 – Light Pewter
  • 647 – Medium Beaver Gray
  • 743 – Medium Yellow
  • 778 – Very Light Antique Mauve
  • 970 – Light Pumpkin
  • 973 – Bright Canary
  • 3807 – Cornflower Blue
  • 3836 – Light Bright Turquoise
  • 3845 – Medium Bright Turquoise
  • White/Blanc

Comments on this project

That is awesome. I was thinking about doing this but am afraid to without a pattern. You didn’t make one for this when you designed it, did you?

Ryan @ Mon Feb 11, 12:51 PM

I put together “The Code” on my own, cobbling together what letters I could gleam from the title screen where I could and drawing the others myself. Lance and Bill were just cut out of the title. I ran the two parts through Dark Lilac to get the colors and charts. I still have the images I drew or cropped. I’m not so sure about the Dark Lilac files. I think I just printed those.

I’ll send what I have your way. You might want to consider changing the outline color. It looks very close to the original in photos, but in person it feels a little off.

I haven’t looked at this page in months. . . I wish I’d taken more close up shots.

Benjamin @ Mon Feb 11, 09:59 PM

Are you able to send me the pattern for this? My husband would SH$T if i made this for him.

Kate @ Mon Apr 14, 10:09 AM

I don’t have a pattern, per se, but I can send you all of the images that went into its creation. It’ll be on its way to you.

Benjamin @ Tue Apr 15, 10:14 AM

I’m a million years late on this, but I’d like to stitch this for my bf someday. Would you send me whatever you can that I might replicate it as best I can? :D I might alter it a bit just in effort to get it to a traditional frame size but it’s just… it’s beautiful.

Caroline @ Tue Jan 10, 06:29 PM
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