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Review: Cross-Stitch to Calm

September 15, 2016 by Sarah White

Cross Stitch to Calm by Leah Lintz review

Most needlecrafts are touted for their calming and meditative properties, but I think cross stitch might be even more relaxing than other crafts in a way because it is so slow. You have to have patience for a pattern to materialize stitch by stitch, and nothing makes you more in the moment than making a picture one movement at a time.

Leah Lintz took this idea to the next level with her book Cross-Stitch to Calm: Stitch and De-stress with 40 Simple Patterns.

She calls her patterns bold, cheerful and graphic, and they’re definitely not frilly or girly like traditional cross-stitch patterns. They often include colorwork, like a striped elephant or a checkered crab, that makes them a little more interesting to knit and gives them a fun look. She also skips columns or rows of stitching regularly to make stripes without having to use a second color.

The patterns are divided into categories such as creatures, nature, symbols and words. There are all sorts of interesting patterns here that will suit a lot of tastes, from beach motifs to animal heads, stylistic flowers and fruits to hearts, guitars and words like eat, family and home.

Projects are shown with large charts and a color-stitched sample, though any colors can be changed to suit the thread you have at home or the colors in your decor.

There are a lot of cute things here I’d love to stitch to decorate around the house or use on cards or in other ways. These designs seem like they would be interesting and entertaining without being too much of a challenge, the perfect thing for TV stitching or when you just need to wind down.

About the book: 112 pages, paperback, 40 patterns. Published February 2016 by Interweave/F+W, suggested retail $16.99

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Designer Spotlight: Flossy Fox Shop

If you like your cross stitch designs full of color and with a bit of an 8-bit video game feel, you’ll want to check out Flossy Fox Shop. This Etsy seller based in Washington state specializes in fantasy creatures, cozy witch scenes, magic and myths, as well as other designs that are sure to delight. 

I know that shop category “cozy witch scenes” caught my attention, so let’s take a look. It’s mostly sampler style designs with lots of little elements, and some are specifically parts of the house like a cozy with kitchen or library. The one shown here is called Bats and Bells, Tea and Spells, and it includes a table in front of a window with plenty of fun creatures like a fox, crow, dragon and cat. 

On the wall there are swords and an axe, and maybe also some drying herbs and a teapot. The design is 82 by 77 stitches and uses 22 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to 5.9 by 5.5 inches, or almost 15 by 14 cm. 

The largest category is myths and magic, which includes cryptids, dragons, mermaids, kitsune and other fanciful creatures. Another large group is animals and nature, which is heavy on cats and corgis, as well as foxes.

There’s also a handful of cute bookmarks, some Christmas designs, and a few cute video game inspired designs. They also have a few stitchalongs if that’s something you enjoy. 

These projects are colorful, cute and whimsical, and look like they would be a lot of fun to stitch if you like this style. 

The shop also includes some cute needle minders and washi tape in a similar style if you want to coordinate your stitching. 

Check out all the cuteness at Flossy Fox Shop, and if you stitch up one of their patterns I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Flossy Fox Shop]

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