Looking for a creative, relaxing way to spend your summer? Why not give cross-stitching a try! This colorful, calming craft is not just for your Grandma, it’s the perfect thing for unwinding during long, sunny afternoons, and it’s way easier than it looks. Whether you’re totally new to needle and thread or you’ve dabbled in other crafts like embroidery or sewing, cross-stitch is a fun way to make art. Whether your summer plans are for road trip adventures or lazy days on the sofa, cross stitching is easy to take on the go, budget-friendly, and a great screen-free hobby to dive into! We’ve got everything you might need to get inspired for your cross-stitch journey, from how-to guides to books full of fun, modern patterns. Here’s a list of cross-stitch books to get you started and excited about your first project!
If you don’t think every inanimate object deserves a cute little face, this might not be the book for you. With over 400 patterns to choose from, these tiny, adorable patterns are the perfect place to start your cross-stitch journey!
You will want to stitch ‘em all with these loveable patterns! With designs like the original starter Pokémon and an adorable snoozing Eevee, everyone is sure to find a pocket monster they’d love to create.
It might be too hot to go outside right now, so enjoy nature from the comfort of your home with these intricate designs. With tree-lined landscapes, beautiful birds, and even creepy crawlies, you’ll feel a sense of enchantment when creating these captivating forest-inspired designs.
Create portraits of your family and friends (or your favorite characters) with these adorable pixel people! These easy designs are colorful and a fun way to personalize a gift or make a memento for your friends.
If, like me, you are already mentally preparing for spooky season, these haunting patterns will definitely get you in the spirit! Ghosts and graveyards, skeletons and so much more are waiting for you in Creepy Cross-Stitch. If you like these patterns, creator Lindsay Swearingen has also published Magickal Cross-Stitch and has another collection titled Cross Stitch from the Dark Ages coming next spring!
Show your library some love in more ways than one with these projects that are perfect to frame on your bookshelf or stitch onto your favorite book tote. Make your own personalized bookmark to keep your place, or bring your favorite quotes to life with these fun, simple patterns for all kinds of book lovers!
If any of the patterns in these books spark your interest, you can also continue to flex those creative muscles by making your own one-of-a-kind patterns! Creating your own cross-stitch pattern is easier than you might think, and it’s a fun way to turn your ideas into art! Start by sketching your design on graph paper, where each square represents one stitch. It’s a lot like making pixel art, so get inspired by your favorite pixelated video game or art you find online! Keep it simple at first – limit your color palette to a few colors and keep your design small and straightforward. Use colored pencils to plan out your color scheme, or try a free online pattern-maker like Stitch Fiddle to upload a photo of your drawing and turn it into a pattern. The possibilities are endless!
Now all you have to do is gather your supplies and get started! Happy stitching!
