Tips to Make Cross Stitch More of a Habit

This is the cross stitch page, so of course I’m talking specifically about cross stitch here, but these ideas for making cross stitch more of a habit really work for any craft or hobby that you want to deliberately spend more time on.

I got to thinking about this because of a post/podcast from Hannah Hand Makes, which talks about something she started doing that made it possible for her to cross stitch more. Briefly, though you should go read the post, she says she felt more energized to do cross stitch after finishing her evening chores when everything was set and ready in her crafting spot.

This makes a lot of sense. I always have a knitting project (OK, usually more than one) on the couch so I can pick it up whenever we sit down to watch TV or have friends over. There’s no excuse not to do it if it’s right there and ready to go.

In addition, having all the supplies you need handy makes it easier to get started and keep going. If you have different places in the house where you like to craft, invest in some basic tools in duplicate (like little scissors, needles, needle threaders if you use them) so you don’t have to hunt them down while you’re stitching.

I think it also helps to have a specific time that you intend to work on cross stitch or any other craft during the day. Say it’s 20 minutes after you take the kids to school or half an hour after cleaning up supper. The best way to form a habit is to tie it to another habit or something that happens every day so you’re less likely to forget about it.

I would love to hear your thoughts and if you have any ideas or tips that make it easier for you to work more cross stitch (or other crafting) time into your day.

[Photo by ? Monika ? ? Schröder ? from Pixabay]

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35+ Sunflower Cross Stitch Patterns

Stitch with Coffee is an Etsy shop that is almost completely devoted to holiday designs, with the exception of a series of designs that feature the exploits of a tuxedo cat named Tuxey. It’s also almost completely devoted to cat designs, as we’ll see.

Because I happen to own a tuxedo cat (her name is Haru) we definitely have to spend some time talking about those patterns Haru means spring, so it seems appropriate to share this one of the cat in a field of daisies. The pattern measures 91 by 52 stitches and is all full cross stitches with a little bit of backstitching. It doesn’t say how many colors are used but I think it’s six or seven.

I love the look of it on this sage colored 28 count linen but you can use whatever you like.

The largest category in the shop is for Halloween, and here, too, you’ll find a lot of cats (I also have a black cat so you know I love that, too). There are cats doing potions, a skeleton cat, Frankencat, Dracula cat, cats in pumpkins, a cat witch flying a broom and more. There are also some ghosts and other patterns that don’t involve cats, but I can’t stress enough that there are a lot of cats in this shop (maybe it should have been called Stitch with Cats instead of Stitch with Coffee!).

In the Christmas section there are still more cats: in sweaters, with antlers decorated with holiday lights, in stockings and a cat snowman. There are not Christmas patterns that don’t feature cats.

There are a couple of Valentine’s Day patterns that don’t feature cats, but they still predominate here. You get the idea.

If you like cats every day of the year you’re sure to enjoy this shop. And if you like cats every month of the year, make sure you check out their calendar series, which features cats doing seasonal things like watching a snow globe, being a leprechaun and waving a flag surrounded by fireworks.

Check out all their designs at Stitch with Coffee, and let me know if you see something that catches your eye!

[Photo: Stitch with Coffee]

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