How to Cross Stitch on Linen

I consider myself a barely intermediate cross-stitcher, so there are a lot of things you can do with cross stitch that I haven’t done (yet! I’m working on it!).

One of the gaps in my knowledge or skills or whatever you want to call it is cross stitching on linen. It looks beautiful but I’ve always been a little intimidated by it so I haven’t tried it yet.

The good news is, there are plenty of smart and experienced cross stitchers out there to show us the way when we don’t know how to do things.

Catkin and Lille wrote all about their experience working with linen, the pros and cons and how you actually go about stitching on linen. It turns out it’s not all that different from using regular cross stitch fabric, except you are stitching over two threads at a time instead of one.

Also it’s easier to work projects with fractional stitches on linen because the squares have a hole in the middle, which makes it easier to make half or quarter stitches that are consistently sized.

There can be a learning curve when it comes to cross stitching on linen because the weave is not as even as standard cross stitch fabric, and the softness of the fabric can make it a little trickier to get your tension consistent. But as with everything else in cross stitch and in life, a little practice will make it easier.

You can get all the tips, pros and cons and other information about cross stitching on linen fabric at the post over on Catkin and Lille. But I’d love to know if you have ever worked with linen for cross stitch and how it worked out for you. Especially if you have any tips to share because this might be something that I finally try this year and I will probably need all the help I can get!

[Photo: Catkin and Lille]

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35+ Sunflower Cross Stitch Patterns

I’m always looking for different approaches to holidays in different crafts, and this year I’m noticing a lot of cute ghosts. Check out these adorable ghost cross stitch patterns for tons of cute without the creepy.

Cute Patterns by Maria has a set of six adorable ghosts doing ghosty things like reading a book, talking to a crow, decorating with pumpkins and mushrooms and more. Stitch a single one, all six on one canvas, or each on individually to make your own adorable set of ghosts to scatter around the house. Each ghost is 67 by 86 stitches; the full set is 205 by 174 and uses 28 colors.

Another cute set is this little three pattern set of ghosts with pumpkins and mushrooms. Designed by Wild Bluebell Patterns, the dimensions vary on them but they are super cute all stitched and hung together in hoops as shown.

This set of hipster ghosts is meant to be stitched up as ornaments for you Halloween tree or to display individually, or you can make one big piece. These designs are from Artmishka Cross Stitch and show ghosts getting coffee, reading a book, riding a broom and more. The whole set uses 11 colors.

If you have a dog friend in your life you’ll want to stitch up this sweet puppy ghost pattern from Holly Deer Stitch. The puppy is carrying a cute jack ‘o lantern with a candle and the project measures 7.14 by 6.79 inches (18.14 by 17.24 cm) on 14 count fabric. It uses 14 colors.

Find a ghost among the wildflowers with this design by Woven Wild Crafts. They call it spooky but I disagree. The design is 10 inches/25.5 cm square when worked on 14 count fabric and uses 19 colors.

Or keep it super simple with this little fall ghost cross stitch pattern from Crystal Feather Crafts. This little one is 56 by 47 stitches, which comes out to 4 by 3.4 inches or 10.2 by 8.5 cm on 14 count fabric. It uses 13 colors.

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