Rosa Gromett 1876  is available as a PDF download and as a printed booklet. Click HERE for the printed booklet.

This exquisite Victorian sampler was stitched in Norfolk, England by Rosa Gromett when she was just twelve years old. Renowned for their beauty, Norfolk samplers are celebrated for rich colour and intricate design—and Rosa’s is a particularly fine example.

Rosa executed the sampler primarily in cross stitch worked over two threads, demonstrating remarkable skill and control for such a young stitcher. In contrast, she introduced texture and definition by stitching a distinctive sawtooth border in satin stitch around the verse. She further highlighted her name, age, and the year by surrounding them with a second sawtooth border, also worked in satin stitch.

Adding charm and individuality, two small black dogs are stitched in cross stitch over one thread, creating delicate detail and visual interest.

For needleworkers using Aida, an adapted chart is included, allowing the entire sampler to be worked in cross stitch over two threads while preserving the original design.

Rosa was born in 1864 in Downham Market, one of Norfolk’s oldest market towns. The verse she chose comes from Divine Songs by Isaac Watts, a moral text widely used in 19th-century children’s education. A touching spelling reversal in the verse (“bevote” for “devote”) offers a poignant glimpse into the hand of a young stitcher.

Today, this sampler stands not only as a beautiful example of 19th-century English needlework, but also as a lasting personal record of a young girl’s skill, education, and faith — preserved for over a century.

Rosa’s beautiful sampler has been reproduced using a palette of 13 colours carefully matched to the colours found on the front of the sampler. The model was stitched using Soie 100.3 from Au Ver à Soie, and we have included conversions for Soie d’Alger (SDA) and DMC.

With grateful thanks to the Contented Stitcher who lovingly stitched the model. The two bees stitched on the sampler are the mark (signature) of the model stitcher and are not part of the reproduction.

At the very core of Hands Across the Sea Samplers there is a team of needleworkers who are passionate about antique samplers and being able to share those samplers with you.

There are 2 versions of the PDF: Version 1 ~ A one-page colour chart (intended to be viewed/used on your tablet, phone, laptop, or computer). Version 2 ~ A fourteen-page colour chart.