Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

All About Cross Stitch Hoops

by

One of the tools that I consider essential for most cross stitchers is an embroidery hoop, but I know it’s not really essential.

A lot of the stitching I have been doing lately has been on really small projects where I feel like having a hoop involved would just get in the way and make the project take longer. (Of course having a small hoop to work in would eliminate that problem, but I just saved myself a trip to the store.)

Hoops are great for holding the fabric flat and at a good tension that makes stitching easier, especially when you’re working on a big project. They can be good for beginners especially because they give you a little more stability that can be comforting.

But I feel like it’s also becoming more popular for people to do what’s called stitching in hand, which is just what it sounds like. Instead of using a hoop you hold the project in your hand to stitch. This gives the stitcher more flexibility and control and is good if you like to move around the fabric rather than stitching one section of the project at a time.

If you want to know more about stitching in hand or what kinds of hoops you should consider if you don’t want to work that way, check out this post from the Fat Quarter Shop blog. It’s got links to videos that talk about these issues maybe in more depth than you’ve ever considered them before.

At the beginning of the year it’s great to think about the way you do things and whether there might be a different and possibly better way to try. If you’ve never stitched without a hoop before (or if you’ve never stitched with a hoop!) maybe it’s time to try the other way and see if you like it.

If you have a strong preference for hoops or for stitching in hand, I’d love to hear why you work the way you do!

[Photo: Fat Quarter Shop]

Have you read?

Project Hail Mary Cross Stitch

The movie Project Hail Mary came at the perfect time for us to continue our space joy after the Artemis mission, so let’s keep the fun going with some Project Hail Mary themed cross stitch projects. 

Of course a lot of these projects feature the words “amaze amaze amaze,” like this one from Sew High School, which just features the words worked in a range of planetary colors. The design is 105 by 72 stitches, and uses a whopping 60 colors, but you could always use fewer if you like. Having each word in a single color or using variegated thread would be nice, too. On 14 count fabric this one measures 7.5 by 5.14 inches, or 19 by 13 cm. 

Or stitch Rocky along with the iconic phrase with this design from John Gudmann Art. The pattern listing is low on details such as size or number of colors used, but it’s such a cute one I wanted to share it anyway. 

There’s also this one from Milo Can Stitch, which is 89 by 91 stitches, so just about 6.5 inches/16.5 cm square. It uses 17 colors and looks like Rocky is doing a little dance, which is fun. 

Another classic line from the book and the movie is “You sleep, I watch,” which feels kind of perfect for a baby’s room. This design from Carefree Cat Shop uses 11 colors and measures 49 by 37 stitches. That’s 2.8 by 3.7 inches, or about 7 by 9 cm, on 14 count fabric. 

Soft Muse Studio Store reminds us you sometimes just need someone to be brave for with this design featuring Rocky and Grace. At 215 by 215 stitches, the finished project uses 13 colors and measures 15.4 inches, or 39 cm on 14 count fabric, which will fit in a 10-inch hoop. Other fabric counts are included if you want to make it smaller. (This designer has several cute Project Hail Mary cross stitch patterns so be sure to check them all out.)

I also love this colorful spacewalk design from Mercury Stitches. It is 50 by 70 stitches, which comes out to 3.6 by 5 inches (9.1 by 12.7 cm) on 14 count fabric. It uses 17 colors and is all full cross stitches, as well as some backstitching.