Rose Bouquet Cross Stitch Pattern

Whether for Valentine’s Day or any other holiday, wouldn’t it be great to give that special someone some roses that won’t wilt? Or stitch them for yourself as a reminder even in the depths of winter than things will bloom again someday soon?

This cross stitch pattern features a half dozen roses in various stages of bloom, complete with long stems and leaves, and maybe even a few thorns for even more reality.

The pattern is from DMC and measures about 9.25 by 7 inches when stitched (that’s 23.5 by 18.5 centimeters). It calls for 14 count fabric.

It uses 12 colors to make the different shades of the roses, leaves and stems. This would be so pretty stitched as a pillow, or just frame it and make it a wall hanging so you can always have flowers to look at when you need them.

Though this is a pretty detailed (and large) design, it is suitable for new stitchers who are ready for a larger project.

This free pattern can be downloaded (signing up for a free account is required) from LoveCrafts. Check out their beginner’s guide to cross stitch if you need help with any of the basics before you get started on this pattern.

If you need help keeping track of where you are in the pattern, since it is rather large and takes up two pages, You can use these hints from Stitched Modern. Knowing where the center of the pattern is when you start is super helpful, and using tools like highlighter tape or a magnet board to mark where you are can help you keep track and know where you need to start the next time you start stitching.

[Photo via LoveCrafts.]

The cross stitcher behind the blog Sirious Stitches is quite into biscornu.

If you’re not, a quick primer: biscornu are three-dimensional cross-stitched objects with eight points, often with an indention in the middle that makes them look a bit like doughnuts without the hole. They can be just about any size and subject you can think of. They’re often used as pincushions but can also be seasonal decor or just decoration for any time of year.

I’ve got a collection of biscornu cross stitch patterns here.

Once you’ve stitched one or several (they are a little addicting) you might wonder what you can add to them to make them even more extra.

It very much depends on the design of your biscornu and the look you are going for, but Sirious Stitches has a great post all about some of the options you might consider.

I don’t want to give you the whole list because you need to go visit and see all of their great biscornu they’ve stitched, but one really easy thing that you can do with a lot of designs is take advantage of that center indent by adding a button, beads, silk flower or another embellishment.

This is great to do just with a basic button from your stash that coordinates with the design and colors of the cross stitching, but it’s extra fun if you have a button that’s on theme, such as a leaf for a fall biscornu or a flower shaped button for a floral design. Add a jingle bell to a Christmas pattern, or a charm if you don’t have a button that coordinates.

Just this one idea is sure to get you thinking about ways to embellish biscornu (not to mention other cross stitch projects) but head over to Sirious Stitches to see all of their ideas for embellishing biscornu to make these already fun projects even more fun.

Have you ever made biscornu? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sirious Stitches]

Have you read?