Cross Stitch Patterns?

[WolfpackWife]

So in a move that is entirely unlike me, yesterday I was really bored and lonely and sad and I *gasp* decided to keep my hands busy and try something new. So I broke out a little beginners cross stitch patterns someone gave me and after I figured out how to do it it's actually a lot of fun!

So it got me thinking - if I'm enjoying it maybe it's worth looking for some patterns I actually like (this one is a not so cute house but a good jumping off point). Where are good places to find patterns and/or kits? I don't know how they usually come - I should have paid more attention when my mom cross stitched all the time when I was growing up. Do you just get a lot of floss and then buy patterns? Or do they all come in kits?

Anyway, what I have so far is actually resembling a house and it's pretty fun. I definitely want to try another one.

[spotty_dog]

Mmm, I wonder if you are falling down a delightful rabbit hole. The advanced cross stitch patterns come only as patterns. You choose your fabric (evenweave linen is lovely stuff) and the color of the fabric to match the colors in the pattern. Sometimes the supply companies will kit the fabric and floss colors together for you, but as you advance, crafters often develop a stash of floss and fabric to choose from.

http://www.123stitch.com/ and http://www.abcstitch.com/index.php are some suppliers I remember. And some designers, you might like http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/ and for incredibly intricate flowers and birds there is http://www.thesilverliningonline.com/ and for dragons and fantasy http://www.twdesignworks.com/ and for fairies and ladies http://www.mirabilia.com/

Back in Cleveland I had a local needlework store. You might look for such in your area. That would be a great resource, and it's nice to be able to see the linen in person and hold the floss up against it to find a good match.

Enjoy!

[WolfpackWife]

Thanks SD! I've browsed a couple of those sites but need to go back and take a look. I think I'm going to attempt something along the lines of what this Etsy seller is selling: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MagicCross...shop-info-name

Just because they look easy and would be good practice. I figure some of the animal ones that look better suited for a nursery could, at the very least, be stashed away for friends who have babies soon or even our own some day?

Which brings me to - what't the deal with the hoops? Do I need to get a few in different sizes? Is it easier to stitch with the fabric in one of those? And further - do I need to buy a random amount of fabric and then stretch it into the hoop or do they come that way? I figure I'll go browse a craft store at some point but I do think I'm going to attempt at least a few more because it was enjoyable for me last night and was satisfying seeing the little stitched boxes come together to resemble the photo I was working off of

[poky]

You'll want at least one hoop; you don't HAVE to have more, but if you're doing a larger piece, the smaller hoops can get annoying if you have to keep repositioning. You generally buy the hoops and fabric separately and use the hoop to stretch the part of the fabric you're currently working on. The fabric *generally* comes in folded rectangles of varying sizes, though for all I know they sell it on bolts, too. As on that etsy page, I've seen hoops used as a way to display a finished piece (as opposed to stretching and framing in a square frame). You usually want to have the fabric stretched somehow, as you're working on it, because otherwise, it can tend to pucker as you stitch, especially if it's not super-stiff fabric to begin with. Did the kit you got come with the fabric already in a hoop, or are you not using one?

[spotty_dog]

Those are pretty! You usually buy your fabric to be the size of your pattern plus an allowance for the hoop. And you choose your hoop to be big enough for the whole pattern to sit inside. When I was into cross-stitch the serious people were using these instead of hoops: http://www.qsnap.com/ The point of stretching the fabric is for the stitches to be consistent in tension, and you don't want to leave the fabric stretched all the time -- you put it in the hoop while you work, and then take it out when you're done for the day. The cheap wooden hoops from the craft store don't always hold the tension appropriately. But they sure make pretty frames, like how that Etsy seller displays hers.

Have fun!

[oceanchild]

I use Qsnaps. My MIL makes pretty covers for them so I don't have to hold the extra fabric and get my greasy hands all over it. I have several hoops too though.

123stitch.com is my go-to for supplies. I like Lizzie Kate and Heart in Hand designs for linen. I also like the Dimensions kits, which you can often find at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.

I mostly make little designs for friends' weddings and new babies, but I have also finished a few elaborate Dimensions Gold Collection pieces that I really love.

The advantage to kits is you don't have to get fabric cut or track down all the thread. (Overdyed thread, which is really popular right now, adds up super fast.) Some people think the quality of fabric and thread is not as good. Prolific stitchers like my MIL have all their thread neatly stored in boxes. I hoard leftovers in a freezer bag.

Have fun! Cross stitch is my go-to while watching TV. Because I'm not capable of *just* watching TV.

[WolfpackWife]

[MENTION=1049]poky[/MENTION] - the kit I got didn't come with a little hoop or anything - just a little piece of stiff fabric that's probably 3" x 5" or so. The girl who gave it to me suggested I tape the edges so it won't fray but I didn't do that yesterday but might when I pick it back up later to finish it. I can definitely see the perks of a hoop to work off of - i was bearing down and holding to close to my face to see hwere I was stitch and it's sort of bending the fabric. Oh, and I didn't understand the best method to cut the floss and/or tie it so I would just do all the stitches I could with one color...the back of the fabric is rough looking, to say the least My mom had some pointers but did say it would be trial and error to some degree. Like, the back of it now is in serious disarray but...whatever, I'm learning!
[MENTION=985]spotty_dog[/MENTION] - thanks for the tip about not leaving the fabric in. I'll ask someone at a craft store about the options for hoops - online shopping shows that the wooden ones are by far the most widely available but if they aren't always reliable I'll look into other options. Though I'm probably getting ahead of myself as I haven't even finished one but now that I get how to do it (aside from the back of it/knotting it/outlining stuff or doing whatever back stitching is) it's really enjoyable. I would imagine it would be even mor eenjoyable if it were a pattern that I really liked, like the etsy ones I linked to.

Oh and also - thought you might get a kick out of these: https://www.etsy.com/shop/nerdylittl...tion_leftnav_4

[WolfpackWife]

Have fun! Cross stitch is my go-to while watching TV. Because I'm not capable of *just* watching TV.

I've gotten this way too! But I've burned through all the magazines I have and just need something to do with my hands - this was a great little project to work on last night.

And how funny - my mom has cross stitched for years but I guess never considered herself a big stitcher so she also always had a freezer bag full of floss and patterns and little boxes of needles, etc!

[poky]

I like this one: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1906046...w_type=gallery

And I love Dame Judi Dench even better after hearing this: http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2...mbroidery.html

[diggitydot]

If anyone can find these patterns, I will love you forever.

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[diggitydot]

And these...

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[Thirteen]

Steotch dot com


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[spotty_dog]

"Do not fuck with me" looks like classic Subversive Crossstitch. Yup: http://shop.subversivecrossstitch.co...t-fuck-with-me

[diggitydot]

I love you people.

[medpedspouse]

Loooooong time ago, I used to design my own patterns. I would use graph paper and "draw" out what I wanted to stitch.

I think they do sell some kits that include the pattern, material and threads...sometimes even a hoop. I am pretty sure hobby lobby has some...but I crossstiched before we were on the internet.