Design library
Smocking Plate Library
Tested geometric and picture-smocking teaching plates with connected thread paths, dense cable grids, back-smocking, repeat markers, full-width placement, and printable references for a Read 16-needle pleater.
83 original plates · See also Design Planning · Free external picture-smocking resources
Have a plate picture? Get a step-by-step plan →Featured encyclopedia chapter
Daisy Smocking Plate
Decode the original plate with a pleated-fabric grid, layered SVG needle paths, a 40-frame sequence across rows 1–8, repeat guidance, troubleshooting, and a printable reference.
Open the interactive chapter →83 of 83
- BeginnerCurated Classics5×24 · repeat 1
Cable Borders
Two control cables with open field
The first plate every smocker should master: a cable on the top gathering row and a cable on the bottom, with three empty rows between for later decoration.
Dusty blue - BeginnerCurated Classics6×24 · repeat 10
Wave Between Cables
Classic beginner bishop band
Cable borders framing a single wave-of-4 band — the workhorse plate for children’s bishops.
Burgundy cableDusty blue wave - IntermediateCurated Classics7×24 · repeat 10
Classic Trellis
Mirror waves forming diamonds
Cable frame with a trellis field: an upper wave and its mirror meeting in diamonds — the most recognizable English smocking motif.
Soft gold cableMuted teal trellis - IntermediateCurated Classics6×24 · repeat 2
Honeycomb Yoke
Elastic center with cable frame
Cable borders with a staggered honeycomb field for give across the chest — classic comfort plate.
Burgundy cableSage honeycomb - BeginnerCurated Classics5×20 · repeat 1
Outline & Stem Bands
Smooth cord and twisted rope practice
Side-by-side single-row cords so you can feel the difference: outline (smooth) vs stem (twisted rope).
Dusty blue outlineBurgundy stem - AdvancedCurated Classics6×24 · repeat 8
Van Dyke Accent
Dramatic chevron between cables
Cable frame with broad diagonal Van Dyke chevrons and two-pleat locks at every peak and valley.
Gold cableBurgundy Van Dyke - BeginnerCurated Classics4×16 · repeat 6
Baby Bishop Starter
Narrow three-row teaching plate
A short, narrow plate for tiny garments and first full projects: cable, baby wave, cable.
Sage - IntermediateCurated Classics6×24 · repeat 2
Surface Honeycomb Band
Cable borders with a surface honeycomb field
A tidy surface honeycomb field framed by cable borders, useful when you want the honeycomb texture to sit visibly on the pleat faces.
Dusty blue cableSage surface honeycomb - BeginnerCurated Classics5×24 · repeat 10
Double Cable Wave
Three cable rows with two wave bands between
A structured beginner band: cable rows on 1, 3, and 5 with simple waves crossing the open rows between them.
Burgundy cableDusty blue wave - AdvancedCurated Classics8×32 · repeat 10
Christening Trellis
Gold cable frame with teal trellis and embroidery space
An advanced christening band with gold cables, a muted teal trellis field, and a quiet upper area reserved for embroidery above the smocking.
Gold cableMuted teal trellis - BeginnerCurated Classics5×24 · repeat 6
Five-Row Sampler
Cable · outline · wave · stem · cable
A single strip that practices four foundation stitches under matching cable borders — ideal with the Practice Path.
BurgundyDusty blue - BeginnerCurated Classics3×20 · repeat 1
Sleeve Band Mini
Three-row cuff control band
A shallow band for sleeves: cable, outline, cable — enough control without bulk.
Muted teal - BeginnerBeginner Geometrics6×25 · repeat 8
Wave of Three Between Cables
A medium-scale wave with level turn closures
A wave of three gives more movement than a baby wave without the height of a wave of four.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerBeginner Geometrics4×25 · repeat 6
Outline-Framed Baby Wave
A soft narrow band without cable borders
Smooth outline cords frame a compact wave of two for a softer edge than cable.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerBeginner Geometrics6×25 · repeat 8
Stem-Framed Wave of Three
Twisted frame cords around a medium wave
Stem-stitch cords give a rope-like frame to a balanced three-step wave.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerBeginner Geometrics7×25 · repeat 6
Opposed Baby-Wave Band
Mirrored narrow waves in an open band
Two baby-wave courses begin in opposite directions, creating balanced movement above and below an open center.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerBeginner Geometrics5×24 · repeat 1
Five-Row Control Band
Cable, outline, cable, stem, cable
A compact comparison band that makes cable alternation and the opposite sides of outline and stem easy to inspect.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerGarment Bands3×24 · repeat 1
Triple Cable Border
Three adjacent structural control rows
Three level cable rows form a firm, compact border where extra control is useful.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerGarment Bands3×20 · repeat 1
Stem Cuff Band
Cable borders with a rope-like center
A shallow cable–stem–cable arrangement sized for narrow garment edges.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateTraditional English6×25 · repeat 6
Small Diamond Trellis
Compact two-step diamonds
Two-step upper and lower courses share closure vertices to form small traditional diamonds.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateTraditional English7×25 · repeat 8
Medium Diamond Trellis
Three-step diamonds with an open center
A three-step trellis produces broader diamonds suitable for medium-depth yokes.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateTraditional English9×25 · repeat 6
Double Small Trellis
Two stacked compact diamond fields
Two independent small-diamond fields create a light, open band across a deeper pleated area.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateTraditional English9×25 · repeat 6
Cable-Divided Trellis
Stacked diamonds separated by a control cable
A center cable divides two compact trellis fields and provides a strong visual and tension reference.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateGarment Bands5×25 · repeat 6
Bonnet Trellis Band
Small diamonds between smooth outline cords
Outline cords soften the edges of a compact two-step trellis for small heirloom pieces.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateTraditional English8×25 · repeat 2
Two-Tier Honeycomb Yoke
Two elastic fields within one cable frame
Two classic honeycomb tiers provide elasticity across a deeper yoke without a heavy center divider.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateTraditional English7×25 · repeat 2
Cable-Divided Honeycomb
Elastic tiers separated by a center cable
A control cable separates two overlapping-pair honeycomb fields for a more structured elastic band.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateGarment Bands4×25 · repeat 2
Outline-Framed Honeycomb Band
A soft elastic band for small garments
Classic overlapping honeycomb sits between smooth outline cords in a compact four-row layout.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateTraditional English9×25 · repeat 6
Trellis and Honeycomb Yoke
Structured diamonds above an elastic field
Small trellis diamonds provide structure above a softer honeycomb tier in a practical compound yoke.
Frame threadField thread - AdvancedTraditional English6×25 · repeat 8
Outline-Framed Van Dyke
Locked chevrons with smooth frame cords
Smooth outline cords frame broad Van Dyke diagonals with pair-locked peaks and valleys.
Frame threadField thread - AdvancedTraditional English9×25 · repeat 8
Double Van Dyke Band
Opposed locked chevrons around a center cable
Two opposed Van Dyke courses create a bold advanced field divided by a stabilizing center cable.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerRoundup-Inspired Geometrics6×25 · repeat 8
Vintage Step Chevron
A restrained 1930s-style stepped band
A newly charted teaching interpretation of the economical stepped bands seen in early geometric smocking.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateRoundup-Inspired Geometrics7×25 · repeat 6
Heirloom Lattice 1940s
Small diamonds within a crisp cable frame
A compact original lattice that echoes the tidy, repeated diamonds of mid-century smocking references.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerRoundup-Inspired Geometrics5×25 · repeat 6
Narrow Trellis Ribbon
A tiny diamond chain for bonnets and cuffs
A slim original trellis ribbon designed to make repeat counting visible on a shallow pleated band.
Frame threadField thread - AdvancedRoundup-Inspired Geometrics9×25 · repeat 8
Princely Chevron Band
Formal locked points divided by a center cable
A formal original chevron arrangement inspired by tailored children’s smocking, with a strong center reference line.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateRoundup-Inspired Geometrics9×25 · repeat 6
Snowflake Diamond Band
Open diamonds stacked around a winter-blue cable
Two airy trellis fields create a geometric snowflake rhythm without relying on a copied motif chart.
Frame threadField thread - BeginnerRoundup-Inspired Geometrics6×25 · repeat 6
Wee Care Heart Trellis
A gentle baby-scale double wave with heart-like openings
A soft original baby-scale band whose opposed two-step waves leave small heart-like negative spaces.
Frame threadField thread - IntermediateGeometric Collection9×33 · repeat 8
Opposed Chevron Rails
Mirrored waves around a center control cable
Two broad wave rails move in opposite directions around a straight center cable.
FrameField - AdvancedGeometric Collection9×25 · repeat 24
Nested Diamond Trellis
Small diamonds inside a broad trellis field
A broad three-step diamond field surrounds a smaller two-step trellis on the same center line.
FrameField - IntermediateGeometric Collection7×33 · repeat 8
Crossed Wave Lattice
Opposed stepped waves forming a rhythmic lattice
Two three-step wave courses cross between shared upper and lower rails to form a simple lattice.
FrameField - IntermediateGeometric Collection8×33 · repeat 2
Surface Honeycomb Grid
Two visible-carry honeycomb tiers
Two surface-honeycomb tiers expose their vertical carries to create a regular stitched grid.
FrameField - AdvancedFloral Collection7×25 · repeat 8
Bullion Rose Arbor
Bullion roses and lazy-daisy leaves over a wave band
A charted bullion rose and leaf arbor repeats above a stable three-step wave foundation.
FrameFieldFoliageFlowerAccent - AdvancedFloral Collection7×33 · repeat 8
Bluebells in Open Diamonds
Bluebell sprigs centered in trellis medallions
Each open trellis diamond contains a fully charted three-bloom bluebell sprig.
FrameFieldFoliageFlowerAccent - IntermediateFloral Collection6×25 · repeat 8
Twin Daisy Garland
Two lazy-daisy blooms on a stemmed garland
A pair of five-petal daisies follows a shallow garland above an outline-framed baby wave.
FrameFieldFoliageFlowerAccent - AdvancedFloral Collection7×25 · repeat 8
Pomegranate Sprig
Outlined fruit, satin crown, and detached-chain leaves
An outlined pomegranate avoids a heavy fill while preserving a traditional botanical silhouette.
FrameFieldFoliageFlowerAccent - IntermediateChristmas Collection7×25 · repeat 8
Holly Cable Garland
Holly leaves and French-knot berries
A repeatable holly cluster follows a curved stem above a three-step wave.
FrameFieldFoliageAccentBerry - AdvancedChristmas Collection7×25 · repeat 8
Candlelight Diamonds
Satin flames centered in trellis windows
Each trellis window frames a narrow candle with a satin-stitched flame.
FrameFieldCandleAccentFlame - IntermediateChristmas Collection7×33 · repeat 8
Snowflake Trellis Medallions
Six-ray snowflakes inside open diamonds
A six-ray snowflake is charted inside every trellis diamond with a knotted center.
FrameFieldSnowAccent - IntermediateChristmas Collection7×25 · repeat 8
Fir Trees and Gold Stars
Straight-stitched trees with knotted ornaments
A tiered fir tree, star, and three knotted ornaments repeat over an outline-framed wave.
FrameFieldTrunkFoliageStarBerry - IntermediateVintage-Inspired Collection8×33 · repeat 8
Little Bows — Vintage Redraft
Outlined ribbon bows between mirrored wave borders
A modern, stitchable redraft of the little-bow band in the supplied vintage reference, with each ribbon shape fully charted over an open smocked field.
FrameFieldRibbonAccent - IntermediateVintage-Inspired Collection8×33 · repeat 8
Little Butterflies — Vintage Redraft
Lazy-daisy butterflies in an open honeycomb band
A modern, stitchable redraft of the butterfly band in the supplied vintage reference, using detached-chain wings and a slim satin body between honeycomb borders.
FrameFieldWingBodyAccent - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 8
Christmas Ornament Row
Jewel-colored baubles built from stacked cable stitches
Jewel-colored baubles built from stacked cable stitches. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
PineBerry redAntique goldBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Christmas12×33 · repeat 8
Snowman Parade
Tiny snowmen with hats, scarves, and coal buttons
Tiny snowmen with hats, scarves, and coal buttons. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
CharcoalSnowScarf redBack-smocking neutral - BeginnerPicture Smocking · Babies13×33 · repeat 8
Balloon Bouquet
Three floating balloons with fine trailing strings
Three floating balloons with fine trailing strings. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
BlushSkyButtercupStringBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Babies12×33 · repeat 8
Sleepy Bunny Pair
Long-eared baby bunnies worked in soft picture-smocking blocks
Long-eared baby bunnies worked in soft picture-smocking blocks. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Bunny creamEyesNoseBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Girls11×33 · repeat 8
Strawberry Basket
Red berries and green caps in a compact repeating basket
Red berries and green caps in a compact repeating basket. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
LeafStrawberrySeedBasketBack-smocking neutral - BeginnerPicture Smocking · Girls11×33 · repeat 8
Garden Heart Vines
Pink hearts joined by a small green garden vine
Pink hearts joined by a small green garden vine. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Rose pinkGarden greenBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Boys11×33 · repeat 8
Little Sailboat Fleet
Blue hulls and striped sails above a rolling waterline
Blue hulls and striped sails above a rolling waterline. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
MastSailOcean blueBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Boys14×33 · repeat 16
Little Farm Tractor
A bright tractor with chunky wheels and field stripe
A bright tractor with chunky wheels and field stripe. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Sun yellowTractor greenEngine redTireFieldBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Babies10×33 · repeat 8
Elephant Promenade
Small blue elephants marching trunk to tail
Small blue elephants marching trunk to tail. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Elephant blueEar highlightBack-smocking neutral - BeginnerPicture Smocking · Babies10×33 · repeat 8
Little Lamb Row
Cream lambs with charcoal faces and tiny green grass
Cream lambs with charcoal faces and tiny green grass. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Lamb creamFaceMeadowBack-smocking neutral - BeginnerPicture Smocking · Babies10×33 · repeat 8
Christening Crosses
Quiet gold crosses framed by pale blue cable blocks
Quiet gold crosses framed by pale blue cable blocks. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Soft goldBaptism blueBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Babies10×33 · repeat 8
Hello Ducklings
Sunny ducklings paddling over a blue ripple
Sunny ducklings paddling over a blue ripple. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Duckling yellowEyeWaterBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 8
Mitten Kittens
Cozy kittens peeking between bright winter mittens
Cozy kittens peeking between bright winter mittens. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Kitten grayWhisker creamBerry mittenPine mittenBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 16
Santa’s Sleigh Parade
A red sleigh following a tiny gold-star path
A red sleigh following a tiny gold-star path. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Star goldSleigh redFur trimRunnersBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 8
Jolly Santa Row
Cheerful red hats above snowy beards
Cheerful red hats above snowy beards. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Santa redBeard whiteFace detailsBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 8
Reindeer Row
Brown reindeer faces with one bright red nose
Brown reindeer faces with one bright red nose. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Reindeer brownEyesRed noseBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 8
Gingerbread Bakery
Iced gingerbread friends with candy-button details
Iced gingerbread friends with candy-button details. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
GingerbreadIcingCandy redCandy greenBack-smocking neutral - BeginnerPicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 8
Evergreen Tree Row
Layered pine trees dotted with tiny gold lights
Layered pine trees dotted with tiny gold lights. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
EvergreenTree lightsTrunkBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 16
Holiday Station Wagon
A green wagon carrying a rooftop Christmas tree
A green wagon carrying a rooftop Christmas tree. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Wagon greenWindow blueTiresBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Christmas10×33 · repeat 8
Nutcracker Guards
Toy guards in red coats and tall charcoal hats
Toy guards in red coats and tall charcoal hats. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Hat and bootsFaceGuard redUniform goldBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Midnight Princess
A blue ball gown beneath a tiny gold crown
A blue ball gown beneath a tiny gold crown. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Crown goldPearlMidnight blueBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Merry Mermaid
A lavender mermaid with a sea-green tail
A lavender mermaid with a sea-green tail. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Mermaid lavenderPearlSea greenWaterBack-smocking neutral - BeginnerPicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Birthday Cupcakes
Pink-frosted cakes with gold candle flames
Pink-frosted cakes with gold candle flames. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
FlameCandleFrostingSprinklesCakeBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Posy Bouquets
Small pink-and-gold flowers gathered with green stems
Small pink-and-gold flowers gathered with green stems. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Petal pinkFlower goldStem greenBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Little Poodle Parade
Fluffy cream poodles with pink bows
Fluffy cream poodles with pink bows. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Poodle creamEyeBow pinkBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Bonnet Garden Girl
A bonneted garden figure carrying a pink posy
A bonneted garden figure carrying a pink posy. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Bonnet pinkFaceDressPosyBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Pansy Bloom Row
Lavender pansies with gold centers and green leaves
Lavender pansies with gold centers and green leaves. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Pansy lavenderPansy centerLeaf greenBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Butterfly Meadow
Blue and pink butterflies floating above green grass
Blue and pink butterflies floating above green grass. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Butterfly blueBodyButterfly pinkMeadowBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Girls10×33 · repeat 8
Blooming Rose Row
Layered pink rosebuds over a green leaf band
Layered pink rosebuds over a green leaf band. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Rose pinkRose centerLeaf greenBack-smocking neutral - AdvancedPicture Smocking · Boys10×33 · repeat 16
Pirate Ship Adventure
A tiny dark-hulled ship with a striped sail
A tiny dark-hulled ship with a striped sail. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Mast and flagSailHull and seaBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Boys10×33 · repeat 8
Little Car Parade
Bright compact cars rolling over a charcoal road
Bright compact cars rolling over a charcoal road. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Car redWindow blueTires and roadBack-smocking neutral - BeginnerPicture Smocking · Boys10×33 · repeat 8
Traffic Signal Row
Red, gold, and green lights on charcoal posts
Red, gold, and green lights on charcoal posts. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Signal charcoalStop redCaution goldGo greenBack-smocking neutral - IntermediatePicture Smocking · Boys10×33 · repeat 8
Happy Hippo Row
Round blue-gray hippos with tiny pink ears
Round blue-gray hippos with tiny pink ears. This is a newly charted original teaching plate; the linked roundup is a theme reference, not the source of this stitch chart.
Ear pinkHippo blue-grayEyesBack-smocking neutral