Cross Stitch – Don’t Be Afraid to Change Colors

There’s a joke in the knitting world that designers will hear from people who love their patterns but have just one question: “Will it work if I knit it in blue instead of red?”

I don’t know if anyone has really asked that question, but I do know that the vast majority of people pick the exact same color yarn to work a project as is shown in the pattern.

Surely it’s the same for cross stitch.

And while it can be somewhat hard to visualize how a cross-stitch chart will look in, say, purple instead of yellow, it’s totally possible to alter the colors used in a project.

This could be as simple as using dark blue when the chart says light blue, or it could involve completely redrawing the pattern so that you can more easily see what changes you are making.

Red Tansy shows how to do this with a small chart, and its definitely easier if you’re going to have to redraw the chart to do it on a small pattern. But the same process works no matter the size, and can make a big difference in terms of the finished look of your project.

Have you ever swapped out colors on a cross-stitch design? I’d love to know how it went.

[Photo: Red Tansy.]

Looking for more Rose-themed cross stitch patterns or charts ? Check these out on Etsy and these on the DMC threads website.

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25 Tulip Cross Stitch Patterns

I’ve long had a soft spot for puffins, so of course when I found an Etsy shop called Murder Puffin I had to share it.

And I’m so glad I found it because they’ve got some weird stuff that I hope you’re going to like as much as I do.

There are cryptids and true crime, nautical themed designs, holiday wanted posters and an entire section called memento mori. So if that sounds like something you’d be into, read on.

The biggest section on the site, though, is Altoid tin cross stitch patterns. If you can’t quite imagine what an Altoid tin cross stitch pattern would be like, this mummy cross stitch tin is a pretty representative example.

Most of them have a character (in this case, the mummy, but it could be anything from an alien to a racoon to a gnome) or more than one, who is made into a tiny stuffed doll. There’s a design for the top and bottom inside of the tin; here it’s a pyramid and an anhk design. There’s also a small design for the top of the box. And finally, a kind of blanket and a pillow so you can tuck your little character into the box.

Each one is a cute little set that would be so fun to display (and play with!) on your desk or bookshelf. And there’s a great range of options to choose from.

In addition to those, you’ll find a lot of other fun stuff for the strange and unusual on your gift list. There are some delightfully creepy (and mostly cryptid-inspired) tarot cards. A whole set of dark samplers called Gothic murder family. And a section called potted cross stitch, with little designs like mushrooms, plants and pumpkins you can stitch up and “plant” in tiny pots.

There’s so much fun stuff you really just need to stop reading this and go visit Murder Puffin on Etsy. I hope you find it as delightful as I do!

[Photo: Murder Puffin]

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