Designer Spotlight: October House Fiber Arts

October House Fiber Arts began with spinning fiber and knitwear designs, but has expanded over the years to include a large line of cross stitch patterns. (Unrelated: they’re based in Arkansas, same as me!)

A lot of their designs are shown as small pillows, which could be used for decor or as pincushions, but of course you could frame them as well.

It could be winter coming on where I live but I’m especially drawn to the Strawberry Faire pattern, shown above. It’s so cute with the strawberry and a bird that’s probably about to eat the strawberry at any moment, even though it is bigger than they are. The texture on the strawberry is a lot of fun.

The pattern measures 91 by 62 stitches, and is shown worked on 30 count linen. It calls for Classic Coloworks and Weeks Dyeworks threads, but conversion to DMC is included. It uses 10 colors. As stitched the project is about 6 by 4 1/8 inches.

As you might guess, there are lots of sampler-style patterns, too, even an Arkansas themed one, though of course you could change the wording and the year to make it your state and whatever year you’re stitching it, or whatever year you moved there, or use your last name and the year of your wedding, or your child’s name and their year of birth, whatever you like!

And because of the knitting connection, there are patterns related to knitting and spinning as well as cross stitch. The Knitter’s Alphabet may be my favorite. It features all the letters of the alphabet, the words knit and purl, and plenty of knitting related motifs like an alpaca and a sweater.

The website includes a blog and a few tutorials to help you with specific projects. And there are a few cute freebie cross stitch patterns (and knitting patterns!) too.

[Photo: October House Fiber Arts]

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14 Strawberry Cross Stitch Patterns

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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