Rude Awakening

Kitsune Model (above):

  • Fabric = 28 count Cashel in Willow by Picture This

  • Pattern size = 15" x 11" (14 ct.)

  • Stitch count = 215 x 150

  • Stitched 2 over 2


Fox Model (below):

  • Fabric = 28 count Cashel in Willow by Picture This

  • Pattern size = 14" x 10" (14 ct.)

  • Stitch count = 191 x 146

  • Stitched 2 over 2


Threads:

  • All DMC

About the design:

These two fox like creatures are called kitsune, Japanese fox spirits. Kitsune are mischievous shape shifters who gain power as they grow older. The more powerful they become, the more tails they have. The most powerful kitsune have 9 tails. So, these two are fairly young. I imagine the blue one has just gained his third tail and has decided to let his less fortunate sibling know in a rather rude way.

Kitsune is also the Japanese word for ‘fox’. Foxes use their large ears to locate the rustling of mice hidden in leaf litter or beneath snow and then make leaps just like this to capture them. When the snow is very deep, the foxes sometimes end up with just their tails and hind legs in the air. It looks very funny, but is an effective hunting strategy when you're a small carnivore in deep winter.

Released in 2017