Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

Do You Use a Needle Minder?

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magnetic needle holder

After talking about waxing embroidery floss the other day, I got to thinking about other accessories or things that are optional but could potentially save you a lot of trouble when you’re doing cross stitch.

Another thing that falls into that category is a magnetic needle minder.

As you might guess from the name, these little gadgets stick to your cross stitch fabric by way of a magnet, then you can stick your needle to the top of the needle minder when you aren’t working so it won’t wander off/fall into the couch cushions when you aren’t working.

There are a lot of really cute needle minders out there these days. Swoodson Says has a fun collection of needle minders on her site you can browse, or search for them in your favorite place for indie crafts.

Do you use needle minders? Have a favorite kind? We’d love to hear all about it.

[Photo via Swoodson Says.]

Looking for more Fall-themed Cross-stitch patterns and charts? Check these out on Etsy.

Comments

  1. I have never heard of a need minder. I’m so glad you mentioned it. I might just have to pick up one. I’ve been itching to embroider something lately…

  2. I’ve been cross stitching for decades but didn’t discover needle minders until recently (as in less than a year ago). I am absolutely hooked and have 4 currently. I’m always on the look out for more and I want to start getting into making them. The hard part for me is finding the right materials and pairing that with the right magnets.

Have you read?

Designer Spotlight: Colorfully Sarah Shop

I left myself a note when I added Colorfully Sarah Shop to my list of shops to write about that says “small but adorable.” I was talking about the shop in general — which as of this writing has just 40 patterns — but it’s also true of the designs themselves. 

These cute, candy colored designs are sure to make you smile and are probably as fun to stitch as they are to look at. Let’s take a closer look. 

You know a shop (or its owner) defies categorization when the largest category (albeit only by one) is “other.” Other is all hoops of little icons, whether frogs with conversation hearts, different shapes of pasta or a set of colorful cupcakes. 

I chose this set of Jellycat style kawaii creatures to highlight because it’s super cute and would be fun for a kids room or a kid at heart. The design include 13 little characters, including a bunny, penguin, croissant and marshmallows, the sun and moon and a octopus. My teenager would love this one!

It measures 88 by 87 stitches and uses 25 colors. The designer suggests using 14 count fabric and putting the design in a seven-inch hoop. 

This design gives you a pretty good idea of the style and the colors that are used in a lot of her designs. Animals is the next biggest category and they’re the same kind of projects, with multiple little animals. The frogs are back, this time with mushrooms. There are axolotls, bunnies and “spring insects” including butterflies, moths and beetles. 

Other categories include fall, Christmas and video games (which has a collection of retro controllers, some Starwdew Valley icons and a set of pastel potions). 

All of the patterns are adorable and sure to bring a smile while you stitch and when you display them or give them as gifts. 

Check out all the designs at Colorfully Sarah Shop on Etsy. 

[Photo: Colorfuly Sarah Shop]