How an Urban Swan Inspired My Nature Embroidery Pattern

And Why It Has Pink Feathers.

Sometimes nature appears where you least expect it.

Whilst holiday strolling in Berlin, I decided to wander away from the touristy spots to find a local market and ended up walking down its urban river. As I got closer to the busy market, cars were passing, people were chatting and shopping, yet there was a swan floating along completely at ease with all of the hustle and bustle. That moment became the inspiration behind my latest embroidery design.

Swan on an urban river in Berlin next to graffiti and market stalls — Copyright Knot Waste: Berlin, Germany - Urban Swan Swims Past A Market.

It’s easy to forget that cities really are concrete jungles. Alongside all of the bricks and mortar, a whole host of wildlife resides! They’ve learnt to adapt and live calmly beside all of the people. When you calm down and stop rushing around with your head in the clouds, it’s surprising what you notice. Aside from the ducks and swans swimming along the rivers, just think of the urban foxes that have learnt to forage in our dustbins rather than hunt a field-mouse. Or the pigeons in their chic tree-top houses making all of the hipsters jealous. I’d love to live up a tree but then again just think about all of the insects that also live in that tree… Would you really want that many housemates?!

From taking a gentle stroll to walking your dog, slowing down enough to notice your surroundings can improve our connection with nature. Even my dog does it. The other day, he managed to sniff out a line of ants walking up a tree, and just stopped to peacefully watch them for a few seconds. That would have been a great photo.

Copyright Knot Waste: Pet Spaniel on His Walkies.

My Design Process

When I go out for a stroll, I often take my iPhone with me. I turn off notifications… or just actively choose to ignore, and only use it to take photos of the urban nature that inspires me. If I find a photo really inspiring, I use AI generated design tools to turn it into an embroidery pattern. Maybe, at some point I’ll also have a go at drawing the patterns myself but for the moment I’m enjoying learning to use AI.
The whole process of designing a nature embroidery pattern is relaxing, and there’s no wonder that Grandmacore and Fibre Arts are on the rise.

I share the photo inspiration and it usually takes a good few drafts to get the finished pattern that I envisage. I simplify the shapes from the original photo, think about what kind of stitches would be best to fill it out, and choose a realistic colour palette. I choose to create a Beginner, an Intermediate and an Advanced version for every embroidery pattern to make my patterns more accessible to those wanting to learn how to embroider. It’s also a great way to show just how many different versions you can create from one source of inspiration.

Copyright Knot Waste: Urban Swan Pink Feather Syndrome - Beginners Embroidery

Why My Swan Has Pink Feathers

The swan I snapped a photo of in Berlin wasn’t pink, but I decided to stitch it that way in my embroidery design. Sadly, many urban swans suffer from a condition known as Pink Feather Syndrome. It's often linked to poor nutrition and mould toxins, particularly from mouldy bread left in waterways. Some people might think pink swans look prettier than white ones but it can actually be a life-threatening illness for the swans. (Independent).

The good news is that we can help to combat it. Instead of throwing a load of bread into your local canal or river, opt for leafy greens, peas, sweetcorn, oats, or appropriate seeds. My advice is, before feeding any wild animal, check the facts with a relevant charity like the RSPCA, or in this case Swan Lifeline has lots of informative resources; www.swanlifeline.uk/feeding-swans-and-cygnets.

So all in all, if you want a big pink bird, go find a flamingo, don’t go feeding the swans Hovis.

Ostrich Mural on The Side of A Building in Den Bosch Netherlands. — Copyright Knot Waste: Den Bosch, Netherlands - Osterrich Wall Mural

Embroidery Can Help Us Notice Nature

Going out into nature with the goal of finding inspiration to create a new embroidery pattern makes me look more closely at my surroundings. It gives me a purpose and helps me to stay in the moment. This act of mindfulness keeps me fully present and engaged in the moment without judging anything. According to MIND Charity, practising mindfulness can help to manage mental health problems like depression, anxiety and feelings of stress.

From observing the wildlife and taking photos to sketching out the shapes, textures and colours, the process of creating embroidery patterns definitely supports Nature Connection. A connection that is further heightened once you sit down and peacefully start stitching.

Copyright Knot Waste: Berlin, Germany - Urban Swan Advanced Embroidery.

About the Urban Swan Pattern

Inspired by my urban river stroll in Berlin, I've turned the scene into a downloadable embroidery pattern available in Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced versions. The Urban Swan embroidery pattern is an instant download, available as individual downloadable patterns, or as a bundle. The bundle comes with a handy Stitch & Colour Guide, and Step-by-Step instructions booklet. Plus, Knot Waste donates 10% from each sale to the RSPCA via our Just Giving page.

Nature doesn't always require a forest or national park. Sometimes it's a swan beneath a city bridge, wildflowers growing through paving stones or a bird singing outside a café.

Those small encounters are often the ones we remember, and sometimes they even become embroidery patterns.

Try embroidery as Nature Connection for yourself with our free beginner-friendly ‘Spaniel in Urban Litter’ downloadable pattern. Or check out our pink Urban Swan in the Etsy KnotWasteShop.