Mini Cross-Stitch Kit

I like tiny things, and I like working on projects that are portable, so I came up with this mini cross-stitch kit. Everything you need to stitch a little busy bees cross-stitch fits inside an Altoids mint tin. Make one for yourself or give it to a stitchy friend.

First, assemble your materials. You'll need an empty Altoids tin, a 3-inch piece of 14-count Aida fabric, an embroidery needle, and DMC six-strand embroidery floss in black (310), light topaz (726), and dark straw (3820). I wound my floss on cardboard bobbins, but you could just use full skeins if you like.

Next, click here to download and print the Cross-Stitch Kit Printable. Cut out the cover picture just outside the yellow line. Trace the top of the Altoid tin on a piece of clear adhesive-backed paper and cut that out too. Place the cover picture on the top of the tin and seal it in place with the adhesive paper. Press the edges down tightly so it stays in place on the lid. Cut out the chart and fold it into thirds.

To assemble the kit, cut a piece of colored paper to fit the inside lid of the tin and fasten it in place with double-stick tape. Attach the needle to the Aida, roll it up, and tuck it inside the tin with the floss. Place the folded chart on top and close the lid. Your mini cross-stitch kit is ready to go. Happy stitching!

Claddagh Design in Just CrossStitch Magazine

The April issue of Just CrossStitch magazine is out, and my Claddagh design is inside! The Claddagh is an old Irish symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. It's a popular motif in rings and other jewelry, but I decided to adapt it to cross-stitch. The design is stitched in shades of green and gold embroidery floss, and it features lots of shamrocks. If you start stitching now, you can make your own in time for St. Patrick's Day.

X-Stitch Paper Heart Accessories

These perforated paper cross-stitch hearts are simple to make, even if you're a beginning stitcher. They're also very addicting. You can make a bunch in time for Valentine's Day. I glued mine to plain hair clips and pin backings, but you can use them to decorate cards. Or how about refrigerator magnets? Or bulletin board pushpins? The possibilities are endless.

I recently rediscovered how much fun it is to cross-stitch on perforated paper. You can find sheets of this awesome product at craft and fabric stores. Trust me, it's much sturdier than it looks. You stitch on it just like you would on Aida fabric, and when you're finished, you just cut--carefully--around the designs.

Follow the chart above to stitch hearts on the paper. I'm not giving you specific floss colors; just use whatever shades of red, pink, and rose embroidery floss you have on hand. 

I used three strands of floss when I stitched my hearts to cover the paper completely and give the designs a fuller look.

When the stitching was finished, I used a sharp scissors to cut around each heart. Be sure to leave a border around the hearts so the stitches don't come undone.

Aren't they pretty? If you want to show your cross-stitched paper hearts off, you can make them into Valentine's Day accessories. Glue them--or, if you're very patient--sew them to hair clips and pin backings. They make sweet Valentine gifts--but only for adults and older children.

Knitted Bronze Cable Scarf

I'm not going to lie--this scarf isn't going to keep you very warm. But you'll look great when you wear it! When I saw this yarn--Patons Metallic in gold--at my local Michael's store, it reminded me of Rumpelstiltskin's skeins of gold. I thought a cable pattern would should off its texture beautifully, so I came up with this simple scarf pattern. Since it's less than four inches wide, it's definitely an accessory and not serious winter gear, but I really like the way it turned out. I'm sharing the pattern below. Don't be intimidated by all those rows--remember, each one is just 18 stitches long.

Knitted Bronze Cable Scarf

Size: 3 1/2" wide by 48" long

You'll need:

Patons Metallic 85 g (3 oz) skein Gold (I used more than one skein to make a 48" scarf, but you can use more or less to make it as long as you like.)

Size 8 knitting needles

Cable needle

Instructions:

Cast on 18.

Rows 1, 3 (right side): Knit.

Rows 2, 4 (wrong side): Purl.

Row 5 and all right side rows (except 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255): Knit.

Row 6 and all wrong side rows: K 3, p 12, k 3.

Rows 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255: Knit 6, slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back, knit next 3 stitches, knit 3 stitches from cable needle, knit remaining 6 stitches in row.

Continue in pattern to row 264.

Rows 265 to 269: Knit.

Bind off and weave in ends. Block according to yarn manufacturer's directions.