• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

How to Weave a Short End in Cross Stitch

August 5, 2024 by Sarah White

I know we all know better than trying to stitch with what’s obviously a too-short piece of embroidery floss, but that’s also never stopped up from trying to stitch up every last inch of thread.

If you’ve played thread chicken, whether you won or lost, you’ve probably left yourself with a super short end of floss that you can’t thread onto a needle and weave in at the back like you normally would.

Generally when I do this to myself I separate the threads and try to tie a knot, which isn’t all that easy to do, probably isn’t really helpful, and it leaves you with a knot in the work (which I don’t care that much about, but I know some people do).

Of course there has to be a better way, right?

Some stitchers who are way more clever than we are surely have a technique for dealing with these little threads. Aside from being willing to join in new thread even when they’ve only got a few stitches left because it will be easier than messing with a tiny end, right?

If you’ve ever wondered about what to do with a tiny tail from a game of thread chicken, you need to check out this video from Catkin and Lillie. It will probably take you less time to watch than it took me to tell you about it, and I don’t want to spoil her method, so you’re going to have to click over to YouTube and watch it for yourself.

It’s definitely worth it for the both simple and life changing advice on offer. I know that sounds dramatic but the way you stitch is part of your life, so it’s going to change your life when you try this technique.

Go check it out on YouTube, and give them a subscribe for tons of helpful tips, techniques and floss tube episodes.

[Photo: Catkin and Lillie]

How to Cross Stitch on Linen

How to Stitch Whipped Back Stitch

«
»

Have you read?

Funny Gourd Cross Stitch Patterns

If you like your fall decor on the punny side, this collection of funny gourd cross stitch patterns was picked just for you!

If you have a tuxedo cat, which I do, you’ll love this Hello Gourdgeous design form Witch Garden Crafts. It’s no surprise the cat has picked a favorite pumpkin to sit on! This design is 60 by 65 stitches, which comes out to 5.1 by 5.5 inches, or about 13 by 14 cm, on 14 count fabric. That means it will fit in a 6 inch hoop if you want to display it that way. It uses 9 colors. 

Another great cat and gourd design (I wonder why cats are so popular in these fall cross stitch patterns?) is this Gourd Vibes Only design with a very fat cat from Happy Sloth Patterns. At 82 by 68 stitches, this design comes to 5.9 by 4.9 inches, or 14.9 by 12.3 cm, if stitched on 14 count fabric. That will fit in an 8 inch hoop. It uses 10 colors. 

Keep it simple with My Darling Plum‘s Oh My Gourd pattern, featuring a gourd instead of the word. This mini uses 6 colors and comes out to just 1.79 by 2.58 inches, or 4.5 by 6.5 cm, when worked on 14 count fabric. 

Or you can spell it out and stitch a few different gourds with this pattern from Needle Muse Creations. Use the muted palette of 5 colors shown, or use richer colors for a more traditional look. Either way, the pattern is 170 by 78 stitches. On 14 count fabric that comes to 12.1 by 5.5 inches, or 30.7 by 14 cm. 

The original “decorative gourd season” expression includes a swear, but this one from Samwise Simple Stitch uses a cleaner version and has a fun patterned pumpkin reminiscent of Fair Isle knitting designs. The pattern calls for 6 colors and measures 200 by 154 stitches. On 14 count fabric that comes out to 14.3 by 11 inches, or 36.3 by 28 cm, though other counts are given in the pattern listing if you want to change the size. (And if you want the not-clean version, check out this one from Wicked Stitch Co and don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

Give your pun a primitive look with the Gourdness Gracious pattern from Needle Case Goodies2. Designed by Brenda Gervais, this one is a printed pattern you can use to make a funny set of gourds and a witch who looks a little surprised at what’s happening in her container. The pattern is 148 by 75 stitches, or a little more than 8 by 4 inches, or 20.3 by 10 cm when stitched on 36 count linen as shown. It uses 14 colors. 

 

Categories

Book Reviews Christmas Craft Businesses Craft Inspirations Craft News and Events Cross-Stitch Patterns & Charts Cross-Stitch Product Reviews Cross-Stitch Website Reviews Dogs & Cats Easter flowers Free Patterns Halloween More Cross Stitch Product Reviews spring Subversive Thanksgiving Tutorials and Patterns valentines day

RSS More Articles

  • Baby Lock Sewing Machines Labor Day Sale – Save 10%
  • How To Make A Simple Beaded Necklace Without A Clasp
  • Pumpkin Worksheets for Kids
  • Free Pumpkin Spice Digital Stamps for Fall Card Making and Paper Crafts
  • 25 Adult-Friendly Halloween Crafts For A Spooky, Stylish Handmade Home
  • 13 Whimsical Witchy Halloween Card Ideas
  • DIY Margarita Face Scrub – A Zesty Skincare Treat for Glowing Summer Skin
  • Gourds to Stitch for Harvest Time
  • 10 Halloween Scrapbook Layout Templates with Fun Shape-Based Designs
  • Book Review – Needle Felting Miniatures for Beginners

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2026 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy