Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

Designer Spotlight: Favorite Gnome

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Just by the name of this designer’s Etsy shop, Favorite Gnome, you can probably guess at most of what you will find in this storefront. There are in fact more that 250 gnome cross stitch patterns on this page as of this writing, with themes form holidays to sports, occupations, hobbies and more. 

You can stitch up a knitting gnome (you know I had to mention that!). Or a gnome that’s a dentist. How about a mushroom? Or one in the Navy? And that’s just a few just on the first page of listings!

There are of course lots of Christmas and other holiday themed ones, too. I like this classic Santa gnome shown here holding a stocking with candy canes. I like that it’s not all red and white stripes but brings in some green, too. The design is 63 by 117 stitches, which comes out to 5 by 9 inches or 11.4 by 21.3 cm. It uses 20 colors and includes a fair bit of back stitching to outline the gnome and add the snowflake to the stocking. It would be a great gift for a gnome lover or a Santa fan.

You can also buy some sets of gnome cross stitch patterns if you like. As of this writing they include witches, zodiac signs, wine-themed gnomes, autumn and Halloween gnomes, winter gnomes and a set for St. Patrick’s Day.

I did say there was more than gnomes here, though that collection would be plenty. You can also find some animal cross stitch patterns, which are done is a cute cartoony style with most of them having flowers on their heads.

This designer will also make custom cross stitch patterns from a photo for you if that’s something you’re interested in.

Check out all the fun (and gnome-filled!) patterns they have to offer at Favorite Gnome. And maybe let me know which gnome is your favorite.

[Photo: Favorite Gnome]

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Cross Stitch Some Funky Chickens

I’m primarily a knitter, and in the knitting world the “emotional support chicken” has been a big trend probably for a couple of years now (I don’t know how long something has to be popular before you can stop calling it a trend, but whatever).

There are chicken crochet patterns that are popular as well, and now I’ve found a cross stitch chicken pattern that might just become the newest iteration of the emotional support chicken theme.

The Funky Chickens pattern from Satsuma Street are three-dimensional, triangular chickens embellished with felt to make their facial features and tail feathers. The bodies include stripes, curves, speckles and other little designs to mark different parts of their bodies. They’re super cute and not any more difficult to stitch than any other pattern, though of course there’s more finishing than you would normally expect.

The pattern includes designs for three chickens, which are actually a rooster and two hens. The rooster is slightly larger, at 120 by 60 stitches, or 4 by 4 inches/10 cm when finished. The hens are 100 by 50 stitches and come out to 3.25 inches/8 cm when finished. These measurements are for stitching on 14 count fabric or 28 count over two.

The patterns use 13 colors, and if you want to make all three, one skein of each color will make all of them. In addition to your regular cross stitch supplies you’ll need three or four little pieces of felt of different colors to add all the details.

These chickens would be great to use as pincushions, or you could put something heavy in the bottom and use them as pattern weights if you do sewing. They’d also be fun gifts for anyone who likes chickens or needs a little emotional support if you explain it to them.

The pattern is available from Satsuma Street on Etsy.

[Photo: Satsuma Street]