Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

How to Transfer a Cross Stitch Pattern to Your Fabric

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When working small cross stitch projects, it’s easy enough to follow along with the chart and always know where you are. You can start from the center and work out, or start from a corner and work across and up and down as needed without too much trouble. 

But when it comes to working bigger projects, especially if you’re new to cross stitch (or to big projects) you might want a little more help to keep you in the right place on you pattern. 

I’m a fan of gridding cross stitch fabric to help you visualize where you are in the pattern. Because the chart generally will have thicker lines every 10 stitches and 10 rows, you can make those same marks on your fabric and use that grid to help orient yourself in the pattern and on your fabric. 

But there are other options, a few of which Crewel Ghoul shares in their post all about transferring cross stitch patterns to the fabric. 

The post includes an idea you’re going to have to see to believe, where someone used colored pencils to draw the whole pattern, stitch by stitch, before actually stitching it. 

It reminds me of printed or stamped cross stitch patterns, but very DIY. I’m not sure I could be that patient, or that accurate, but it would definitely reassure you that you’re in the right place and using the right color (as long as you keep good track of which color represented which color of floss). 

I would love to know if this is something you would try or if you have another method you use to help you keep track of where you are in a cross stitch pattern. 

Go check out the post at Crewel Ghoul for all her advice on transferring patterns to cross stitch fabric, and let me know what you think. Which methods have you tried or would you like to try?

[Photo: Crewel Ghoul]

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Backpack Cross Stitch Patterns

These backpack cross stitch patterns aren’t like the backpacks you would use for school, but they might inspire you to go on a different sort of adventure, and pack your sense of humor. 

When it comes to funny cross stitch, this Adventure Awaits rubber ducky cross stitch pattern from Relaxing Hobby Studio is super cute. It uses nine colors and measures 52 by 75 stitches, which comes out to about 3.8 by 5.4 inches, or 9.7 by 13.8 cm, on 14 count fabric. 

I also love this little pigeon adventurer from Happy Cross Stitchers. Actually, with hoodie and sneakers this pigeon does look like he’s ready for school! This one measures 88 by 138 stitches and uses 13 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to about 6.2 by 9.8 inches, or 15.97 by 25.04 cm.

This sleepy cat is ready for an adventure as soon as they wake up from their nap. This sweet design from MoonLit Patterns features a kitty curled up on a backpack and wearing a knight’s helmet. This project uses 19 colors and measures 130 by 130 stitches. That makes it about 9.3 inches square, or 23.6 cm, when stitched on 14 count fabric. 

Or stitch up this backpack filled with flowers from Owl and Thread. This looks like just the bag you’d want to have for a walk in the forest or a spring meadow. The design is 71 by 90 stitches and uses 32 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to about 5 by 6.4 inches, or 12.9 16.3 cm.

I also like this kind of watercolor look girl with a backpack pattern from StitchALong Studios. You can change the color of hair and clothes as you like. As shown it uses 20 colors and is 90 by 132 stitches. That’s 6.375 by 9.375 inches, or 16 by 24 cm, if you work on 14 count fabric. 

If you’re looking for a design with more of a fall or winter look, check out this girl with a backpack wearing a hat and coat from GlamourXStitch. At 150 by 150 stitches, this one uses 26 colors. It comes out to 10.71 inches, or 27.2 cm, on 14 count fabric.