Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint
If you’re in the part of the world where it’s warm right now, maybe stitching some snow will remind you that winter isn’t all that far off.
This Christmas Lamppost cross-stitch pattern from Ugly Duckling House has a real Chronicles of Narnia vibe, and would be great to stitch for yourself or as a gift.
The pattern is available for free for subscribers. Check it out at Ugly Duckling House.
[Photo: Ugly Duckling House.]
Looking for more Christmas Cross Stitch patterns? Check these out on Etsy.
This post is inspired by a post I saw over at Caterpillar Cross Stitch about why small cross stitch patterns are great, but I can tell you my own stories of cross stitching woes, too.
I have always been a fan of small projects because I just don’t have that much stamina when it comes to cross stitch (or much else). I feel like an hour of knitting or crocheting gets you a lot more to show for your time than an hour of cross stitch, especially when you’re working on a complicated project.
Which is why a project I started for my daughter probably more than a year ago is still unrecognizable as its subject because I’ve barely done any work on it. (I’d like it to be done either for her birthday in September or for Christmas, so I’d better get over my big-project issues and get to stitching.)
The post covers a lot of reasons to love small projects, including that they are light on your budget (both monetary and time wise). It also looks at the basic supplies you need for projects big or small and gives you lots of ideas for how to use small cross stitch projects as decor or to make into gifts.
There are also tips for success when working on small projects. You might think it’s fine to rush but attention to detail is super important when you’re working on a small scale because a misplaced stitch or two can really make a difference when there are relatively few stitches in your project to start with.
Check out the post over at Caterpillar Cross Stitch, and let me know what you love about small cross stitch patterns. Or if you’re a fan of the epic projects, let me know that, too. Maybe you’ll convince me to give it more of a try!
[Photo: Caterpillar Cross Stitch]