Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

Stitch Detailed Designs from Nature with Fiber on a Whim

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I’ve been sort of randomly featuring cross stitch designers that I found through a list of designers at Stitching Jules, and this week’s highlight is Fiber on a Whim.

This designer only has five charts available (and two of them can be purchased as kits) but they sure are pretty.

The designs are mostly of flowers, with one bird, and they use lots of colors and deep details to give you a lifelike effect. Since there are so few I’m just going to mention all of them:

  • Dahlia
  • Peony
  • Carolina spicebush
  • Kentucky iris (not sure what makes it a Kentucky iris, it looks like a regular purple iris, but maybe that’s actually what they’re called and growing up in Arkansas I just never learned that)
  • Standing tall, pictured above, is a bird on a little perch, I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be a painted bunting

Speaking of the bird design, that one measures 82 by 94 stitches and uses 24 colors. If you stitch it on 14 count fabric it comes out to 4.56 inches by 5.22 inches, and what a pretty little work of art that would be.

Because of the level of detail and number of colors used (the lowest number of colors used on a project is 23), I wouldn’t recommend these designs for beginning stitchers, but if you’re comfortable with complex charts and lots of colors these designs are a great choice.

Make them for your friends who garden or are bird watchers, or hang them somewhere in your house where you will see them through the winter to remind you that brighter days are ahead.

If you want to check out some of the other indie designers I’ve profiled, here’s a quick list:

Are you an indie designer or do you have a favorite designer you’d like me to share? Click Suggest a DIY at the top of the page and tell me all about it!

[Photo: Fiber on a Whim]

30 + Bird Cross Stitch Patterns

If you’re a nature enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of our avian friends, you’re in for a treat. From majestic eagles to adorable robins, our curated selection of cross-stitch patterns celebrates the diverse and enchanting world of birds.

Next Pattern:

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Designer Spotlight: Curious Carrie Designs

If you like seasonal samplers and cross stitch patterns with a primitive twist, you’ll enjoy the collection from Curious Carrie Designs.

You’ll find alphabet designs, biscornu, patriotic projects and more. The summer category is the largest on the storefront, with Americana and floral designs. There are also categories for the other seasons and more general designs.

One of my favorites is this pretty sunflower cross stitch pattern, which is shown styled as a biscornu but it wouldn’t have to be. The pattern features sunflowers and bees and a little beehive. It uses 12 colors of floss and each side of the pattern is 51 by 51 stitches, which comes out to 3.64 inches or 9.2 cm square.

I love the fabric she used for the sample, which she actually dyed purple herself, but it would also be pretty on a purchased light blue or other color if you don’t want to dye your own.

There’s also a whole set of themed biscornu with a four letter word on one side (crow, home, love and snow, to name a few) along with a seasonal pattern on the other side.

The shop has a rather small selection at around 90 patterns as of this writing, but it’s a nice collection of traditional looking designs heavy on samplers and biscornu designs, so if those are things you like you’ll want to be sure to check it out. Visit Curious Carrie Designs on Etsy to see all her pretty designs.

Are you a designer or do you have a favorite cross stitch designer who hasn’t made it into the spotlight yet? (You can see all the featured designers in the craft businesses category on the page.) Let me know in the comments, or you can submit more detailed information by clicking on “suggest a craft” at the center top of the page.

[Photo: Curious Carrie Designs]