FAQs about Cross Stitch, Answered

April 24, 2024 by Sarah White Leave a Comment

One of the great things about cross stitch as a craft is that it doesn’t take a lot of skill or supplies to get started. You can make your first cross stitch patterns with a single color of thread, using a single kind of stitch, with fabric that’s easy to find, with or without a hoop. The learning curve is pretty small, and you’re only out a few dollars and a little bit of time to learn the basics and see if you like it.

But if you’re new to cross stitch or thinking about starting cross stitch as a new craft in your life, you might have some questions that patterns just don’t answer, either because they assume you know these things or the answer isn’t long enough to fill out a blog post.

Hannah Hand Makes has collected 20 of these sorts of questions into an FAQ about cross stitch that would be handy for you to read.

It covers everything from the difference between Aida and evenweave to what size needle you should use for cross stitch. You’ll find information on where to buy kits and supplies, the difference between counted cross stitch, stamped cross stitch and embroidery, how to cross stitch a photo, cross stitching on clothes and more.

(She’s even got an opinion on how much you should care about how messy the back of your work is. Spoiler: not much. I totally agree! It’s not worth it to try to make the back pretty unless its going to be visible in the finished product.)

Even if you’re pretty comfortable with cross stitch it’s worth it to skim through these FAQs, because you might just learn something or have your opinion about a cross stitch topic confirmed.

Check out the list at Hannah Hand Makes.

[Photo: Hannah Hand Makes]

Next Pattern:

45+ Free Disney Inspired Cross-Stitch Patterns

Have you read?

Designer Spotlight: Design For Cross Stitch

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]

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply