A Cool Gift You Can Cross Stitch

Normally we think of cross stitching as happening on gridded fabric, but you can cross stitch anything that has holes, as we have seen from stitched peg boards and chain-link fences and other amazing large-scale projects.

You can also add holes to something to make it cross-stitchable, like paper. Or wood.

This wooden planter box has been drilled with holes so that the word Merry could be stitched on the side, but you could stitch whatever you like to make it holiday themed, or use a person’s initials or a simple image, whatever you like.

Check out the full DIY (and what’s on the other side of the planter box) at Consumer Crafts.

[Photo: Consumer Crafts.]

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How to Cross Stitch on Paper

If you’re a fan of detailed and colorful cross stitch patterns, Design for Cross Stitch might have a pattern you want to try. This Etsy shop is based in Spain and has more than 50 designs with a focus on animals, holidays and landscapes.

I’m just going to start with the first pattern that caught my eye when I visited the site, which is this Sakura by the Lake project. This pattern is 200 by 200 stitches and the whole background is stitched, so it’s definitely not for a beginner, but it’s stunning and would be amazing to make for someone who loves Japan. Despite the detail it only uses 24 colors. Worked on 14 count fabric it will measure 14.64 inches, or 37.19 cm.

There are a few other landscape designs, including a canal in Venice and a few cabins in the woods.

The shop also has some cute animal cross stitch, with big, round faces and often holding a warm beverage. Holiday projects focus on Christmas and Halloween. Most of the patterns have a cute, chibi-like feel, but there are some that are more detailed and realistic as well. Take for examples the flower patterns, which are full of details and soft colors.

You’ll also find some fun bookmark cross stitch patterns with a watercolor feel, as well as some that look kind of like paint pouring turned into stitches.

If this sort of stuff sounds like fun to you, check out their Etsy store at Design for Cross Stitch.

Do you have a favorite cross stitch designer who I haven’t featured yet? Let me know in the comments or share more about them by clicking on “suggest a DIY” at the center top of the page and let me know the details. I’d love to share the designers you’re enjoying with a wider audience.

[Photo: Design for Cross Stitch]

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