Helpful Tips for Cross-Stitch Newbies

This is a few months old, but I just came across this roundup of helpful tips cross-stitchers should know from BuzzFeed, and it’s worth a read.

The author suggests starting by buying a book (!) so you’ll have some basic alphabets and simple designs at your fingertips, as well as starting with a kit (which is a great idea because you’ll have all the supplies you need in one purchase).

It covers picking fabric and thread, how to keep everything organized, choosing hoops, needles and other tools and tips on things like keeping the edges of your fabric from fraying, making sure your thread isn’t too long and learning basic stitches.

There are also tips for finishing and displaying your work, as well as moving beyond the basics to things like doing cross-stitch on crochet or on fabric.

I would add that a great way to start is browsing Etsy or Pinterest for cross-stitch patterns related to something you’re interested in. Don’t stitch a sampler or a project from a book just because it’s there if it’s not something you’ll want to hang on your wall. There’s tons of subversive and geeky cross-stitch patterns out there, as well as charts for just about anything else you might like, from flowers to bicycles, holiday patterns and more.

What would you want to tell a beginning cross-stitcher? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[Photo: BuzzFeed.]

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Book Review: Lit 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]

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