Cross-Stitch

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Year of the Rabbit Cross Stitch Pattern

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The other day I shared a funny rabbit cross stitch pattern to celebrate the year of the rabbit.

This one is no less cute but a little more reflective of the Lunar New Year celebration, featuring lots of the color red and the year on lanterns.

The pattern is from Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery and measures 58 by 67 stitches. It comes out to about 4.1 by 4.8 inches on 14-count fabric.

You can purchase the pattern for download from Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.

[Photo: Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.]

 

The Chinese zodiac, which assigns an animal to each year in a 12-year cycle, is based on a traditional Chinese belief that the universe is divided into 12 parts, each associated with a different animal. The 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

The belief in the Chinese zodiac is rooted in ancient Chinese culture and mythology. The animals in the zodiac are believed to have been chosen by the Jade Emperor, who asked all the animals in the kingdom to race across a river. The first 12 animals to arrive at the other side would be rewarded with a place in the zodiac. The story goes that the rat and the cat, both very cunning and clever, asked the ox to help them across the river. However, as they were crossing the ox, the rat pushed the cat out of the way and landed first, becoming the first of the zodiac animals.

Each of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac is said to have certain characteristics and traits that are associated with the people born in that year. For example, those born in the Year of the Rabbit are believed to be gentle, diplomatic, and good at managing relationships.

Additionally, the Chinese zodiac is also related to the Chinese astrology, in which the animals are also related to the five elements of Chinese astrology: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each year in the zodiac cycle is represented by an animal and one of the five elements, and it is believed that the element associated with the year influences the personality and fortunes of those born in that year.

Chinese zodiac is widely used and recognized in Chinese culture, many people still consult the Chinese horoscope for guidance in everyday life, for example, some people believe that the animal representing the year they were born will have an effect on their personality and future.

 

 

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Strawberry Cross Stitch Patterns

My favorite thing about mid to late spring is local strawberries. Strawberries are fun as a graphic element, too, because they’re an interesting shape and cheerful color. Let’s stitch some strawberry cross stitch patterns.

Craft Club Co AU has this cute kind of retro strawberry pattern with a pink checkerboard background. The pattern pages doesn’t give a lot of details but it looks like is uses at least 7 colors and it says it will fit in an 8 by 10 frame when stitched on 14 count fabric.

For a classic farmhouse look, check out the strawberry pattern from Largodargento Shop. This one reminds me of little wild strawberries, and it has a bit of a mandala design with other geometric shapes.

Speaking of classics, you can also stitch a strawberry alphabet sampler from Curious Carrie Designs. It is 54 stitches square, which comes out to 3.86 inches or 9.8 cm square. It calls for 8 colors and was stitched on 32-count linen. Keep it flat or turn it into a biscornu stitched with flowers and bees.

This strawberry pincushion from The SubRosa Design is super sweet and of course could be framed instead of using it as a pincushion if you’d rather. This one is 93 stitches square, or about 5.3 inches/13.5 cm square stitched on 36 count linen as shown.

This graphic, slightly abstract strawberry design from Box and Fox is so much fun and would be great to have on your kitchen wall or in your breakfast area. It measures 98 by 141 stitches, which comes out to 7 by 10 inches or 17.78 by 25.58 cm on 14 count fabric. The design uses 6 colors.

Don’t let the mice get your strawberries! This oddly cute design from Tourmaline Pattern measures 95 by 94 stitches and uses 16 colors. I love the look of it on black fabric, because it really makes the mice and the flowers pop. On 14 count fabric this comes out to 6.7 inches or about 17 cm square.