A folk-art tradition unique to New Mexico and Southern Colorado, Santos have been made in the area since the 1600s. Not only did churches have to be supplied with paintings (retablos) and statues (bultos) of their Christian saints, but the Santos were part of the family on the remote frontier of early New Mexico. Santeros, the folk artists who painted, sculpted, stitched, or carved the santos, would make the divine faces look like they were listening to their petitioners or in mid-prayer.

Created by the Sandia Mountains Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, this three-ring notebook is probably the most comprehensive coverage of santos for embroidery available at a layperson's level. (There may be a more in-depth treatise in a university somewhere; I just haven't found it.) Santos aren't just for Christmas decorations, so please don't put them away after the holidays -- they're supposed to be kept out year-round! One great thing about about this book, is that the designs can be used not just for embroidery -- try them for painting, pottery, woodcarving, wall decorations, and many other applications.

The book includes descriptions of 20 Santos and their feast days (so you can choose a special Santo for a friend based on a characteristic or date) and has two pattern sections: Santos in the first section, and other typical religious or folk-art patterns in the second section. The text is in both English and Spanish. The patterns are simple line drawings that you will need to transfer to your fabric, wood, ceramic, or other surface.

Many of these patterns would have been worked in colcha, for which our 2-ply Heirloom Churro Yarn in Santa Fe and Taos colors is absolutely perfect.