Hmmmm...

Now this is interesting. I was reading the Scarlet letter site (and drooling, as usual) and I came across this repro sampler by Susey Oliver in 1754.

Notice anything unusual? The alphabet is around the outside edge. Similar to this one,

Here is more info on this sampler.

http://samplerstitcher.blogspot.com/2008/05/digby-sampler-lucy-parker.html

The Susey Oliver sampler was stitched in Bradford England. She was taught by Maryan Robinson who may have been educated in Scotland resulting in the decidedly Scottish flavor of this sampler. Is this perhaps a clue to the 'Digby Sampler`s' odd alphabet?