A little squirrel, a big history
There’s something quietly enchanting about the Greedy Squirrel design. This playful little creature, once a familiar sight in Britain’s woodlands, now whispers stories of a time before grey squirrels became dominant. As you stitch its spiky tail and gently curved body, you’re not just creating an embroidery, you’re connecting with centuries of crewelwork, where animals often symbolised nature, playfulness, and domestic charm.
This design begins gently, with relatively simple stitches to ease you into the process, before guiding you through more complex techniques that build confidence and skill. The final touches, blending the tail and body with smooth, layered threads, bring the squirrel vividly to life.
Greedy Squirrel is part of what we have always called the Penrith Panel, a historic grouping of designs that includes the Jacobean Peacock, Jacobean Stag, Running Hare, and Phoenix & Tree. Each design tells its own story while sharing a connection to the vibrant world of early twentieth-century crewelwork, making the panel a treasured reference for stitchers who love history and whimsy.
Our Greedy Squirrel materials pack includes everything you need to recreate this charming creature: wool, linen, needles, and beads, perfectly selected for this project. For stitch instructions and charts, refer to Crewelwork Then & Now, which beautifully complements the pack and guides you through each element.
A historical hug in every stitch
It’s a joy to see how traditional designs can feel so alive today, and the Greedy Squirrel is a perfect reminder that history can be playful, whimsical, and deeply satisfying to stitch.
