Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint
Mandalas are a popular design in lots of crafts, and this rainbow mandala cross stitch pattern from Cross Stitch Quest is like coloring a mandala stitch by stitch.
This is a great one because it’s a public domain pattern so you can stitch it to sell or alter the design however you like.
The design looks great on dark fabric but you could do it on white or ecru fabric too if you have that on hand.
It’s 49 by 49 stitches or 3.5 inches square and uses eight colors.
[Photo: Cross Stitch Quest.]
If you love to cross stitch bookmarks, Yellow Birdie Stitches is the Etsy shop for you. The shop is based in the UK and almost all of its designs are bookmarks (there are also some cute square designs).
You’ll find bookmarks about everything from romance novel tropes to Asian inspired towers, cats and Art Nouveau designs.
This one of a mermaid reading would be fun for summer, whether for you or for a mermaid loving person in your life. It measures 24 by 78 stitches and the patterns offer measurements for three different stitch counts, but it’s about 1.75 by 3.5 inches (or 4.4 by 8.8 cm) when stitched on 14 count fabric.
It’s shown here on white fabric but the pattern also recommends light green or blue if you have that in your stash. It calls for 14 colors (or 15 if you choose to use Light Effects thread for part of the project) and it looks like it’s all whole cross stitches with a fair bit of back stitching.
You’ll also need some felt or card stock to finish the back of your bookmark, though it is shown freshly stitched here.
In addition to the bookmarks you’ll also find some square designs that I think are designed to be coasters or mounted onto greeting cards, but of course you could frame them in a small square frame as well.
The cat section has several of these with a cats and bonsai theme. There’s also a coffee set that includes a bookmark, coaster and keychain fob. You’ll also find some seasonal designs.
In addition to the above mentioned categories, you’ll find bookmarks with birds, bugs and dragons; patterns for spring, summer, autumn, Easter, Halloween and Christmas; fantasy designs and projects for tea lovers.
So grab an audiobook and a project form Yellow Birdie Stitches to make for your next paper book read.
[Photo: Yellow Birdie Stitches]