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]

I have never been one who can predict trends, and even when I hear about trends for crafting I don’t always believe them. When I heard ducks and geese were going to be big this year I didn’t totally believe it, but here were are, with duck and goose cross stitch patterns everywhere, not to mention porch geese having a resurgence and these birds showing up in other crafts as well.

So when a wizard goose cross stitch pattern caught my eye, I knew I needed to share it.

It’s not only a wizard goose, but a wizard goose riding a bicycle, announcing their mission to go cause a kerfuffle.

How could I not share that?

The design is from Cross Stitch With Art, and it’s actually not the only one this character features in, but we’ll get to that. This particular design uses six colors and measures 76 by 103 stitches. That’s about 5.5 by 7.5 inches, or 14 by 19 cm, when you stitch it on 14 count fabric. The pattern is great for beginner to intermediate stitchers, as it uses pretty simple shapes and not a lot of colors.

It might also be fun to do the sparkles in a metallic thread, but it’s cute just as it is, too.

If you’re not up for raising a kerfuffle, maybe you’d like another one of this character’s designs. There’s another one on the bike (riding the other direction, so you can make the pair and hang them together) in which the goose is cultivating whimsy. Other designs show the goose holding a candle. One of them is also about whimsy, while another advises to “hang in there it gets worse.”

If you like your geese with a side of magic, snark and whimsy, these patterns are for you. Check them out at Cross Stitch with Art on Etsy.

[Photo: Cross Stitch With Art]

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