Quite some time ago, I published a pattern on my Etsy store because I wanted something that combined my love for research and psychology. I also wanted a reminder to continue to be critical, to question things, and to not believe something just because someone tells me about it. I think it's especially easy to jump to conclusions these days, so I wanted a reminder to keep calm while doing all of this. And so this pattern was born! While you can download this pattern here, you can also purchase a high-quality, PDF pattern that contains all of the details and thread key here. I like the general free PDF because it encourages you to try out different thread options! If you'd like the free option, you can go ahead and check out the pattern down below in JPEG format.

Pattern Info & Dimensions

This pattern is 121 stitches wide and 162 stitches tall and designed for 14 ct Aida but I encourage you to experiment! You will need a total of five colors for the project.

Finished dimensions should be:

14ct Aida: 8.6" x 11.6" (11cm x 29.4cm)
18ct Aida: 6.7" x 9" (17.1cm x 22.9cm)

Choosing Aida

When I was designing this pattern, I wanted a nice bright Aida that stuck out. I also wanted one that was true to the original Keep Calm & Carry On slogan. So I went for a bright red Aida, which I purchased from 123stitch.com here.

I decided to go with 14 ct Aida so that I could finish this in an 11" x 14" standard frame, which is what you see in the main photo. I did this because I wanted to have a larger, poster-like piece to keep in my office, otherwise I typically opt for smaller Aida counts.

Threads

So here's the exciting part - picking threads! I knew I wanted some sparkle in the crown portion of the pattern, so I chose to use Kreinik thread for that extra sparkle. I love working with Kreinik because it adds a beautiful touch to any pattern.

Here is a list of the threads that I chose to use:

Lettering: DMC BLANC
Brain: DMC 414, 415, and 762
Crown: Kreinik 002 #8

So there you have it! Now you have all the instructions you need to make your very own reminder to keep your critical thinking in check. I can't wait to see what you all come up with. If you stitch this up, please tag me on Instagram so I can see your work and use #freudianstitchkeepcalm. Happy stitching!

**Now, just because this pattern is offered for free, all patterns are copyright of Freudian Stitch, LLC. Please do not sell or redistribute the pattern in any way.**