The Deleted Cross Stitch Pattern Phenomenon 9 Sep 2:24 AM (4 days ago)
About a month ago we spoke about why cross stitch alphabets are so hard to come by, and it got me thinking; that it really isn’t only alphabet patterns that are harder to come by now.
Back when I started cross stitch, there were literally hundreds of cross stitch websites offering thousands of free cross stitch patterns. In fact, that’s what allowed me to get into cross stitch in the first place.
But now… they’ve gone!
You can still find heaps of free cross stitch patterns on places like Pinterest, but long gone are curated lists and mega hosting of designs.
I honestly think this might be one of the main reasons why people wonder if cross stitch is dying, because resources like these are just so hard to find now.
This is far from the first time, though. Back when I started, one of the most prolific cross stitch designers was LittleMojo. They filled forums and websites with patterns covering video games, Harry Potter, and Disney. But, in one of the biggest mysteries of the cross stitch world, they disappeared, taking their bank of patterns with them.
We scoured the internet some ten years ago to pull all of LittleMojo’s patterns into one place just to save them.
And then there are our epic Pokemon cross stitch patterns, which, despite being synonymous with me, were designed by Servotron, a likewise reclusive cross stitch designer. We now host the patterns for posterity, but they aren’t ours.
So why is this new loss of patterns different?
In a word: money and gatekeepers.
We also recently posted about the death of cross stitch gatekeepers, and whilst there are loads of benefits to this, it also comes with some downsides.
One of those is the lack of cross stitch forums that offer massive banks of patterns that anyone can add to. Those gatekeepers made those resources available by paying for hosting, curating patterns, and spending their own time to create a resource they were proud of.
Sure, it also meant there were barriers, but quality patterns flowed like fine wine.
The second issue is one of money. Now, I don’t want to be unkind here; whilst we are talking about money, there is one really big issue with all those free cross stitch patterns: they were pretty much all infringing on copyrights.
In a world of AI cross stitch patterns, this has once again come to the forefront of cross stitch designers’ minds, but back in the “Wild West” of cross stitch, no one seemingly cared. For the better and worse…
Designers would create patterns of their favorite brands, games, anime, or media, and those media holders would either not care, or would actively promote the idea of this underground community.
But that doesn’t mean that all IP holders thought the same. As cross stitch moved into the mainstream, IP holders realised they could make a buck by publishing their own pattern books and getting rid of these free pattern repositories.
Likewise, cross stitch designers also moved to platforms like Etsy, creating stores for their own patterns. They could likewise make money from patterns they were previously making for free.
I don’t hate either group; after all, everyone deserves to make money from their designs and IP, but this is to say that the change impacted cross stitch in a massive way.
But this isn’t even an issue limited to cross stitch designs, but also cross stitch tools, to cross stitch magazines, and even cross stitch blogs. But a bigger issue in my mind is that whilst all these free cross stitch patterns are being deleted, the quality of cross stitch patterns is also falling.
Have we seen the heyday of cross stitch come to an end?
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
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The 25 Things Every Cross Stitcher Eventually Buys 2 Sep 2:34 AM (11 days ago)
I often get asked what cross stitch accessories a new stitcher should buy, and whilst I often supply them with a list, I also often give them a list of what not to get. Items that every cross stitcher eventually gains in their collection, but never really needs.
Sure, some are useful. Others are a waste of time. But most of us have these in our collection still!
Larger and Larger Cross Stitch Hoops
Once we’ve got past our first project, probably with something like a 6-inch hoop, we yearn to stitch more, to stitch larger, and with that, surely we need more hoops; right?
Bobbins
Many of us started with those terrible cardboard bobbins we get in DMC bobbin boxes. And my word, they are terrible! From plastic bobbins or acrylic bobbins, or special 3D printed bobbins, these are on the buy list of any cross stitcher!
Cross Stitch Project Bag
You quickly realise as a new stitcher that dirty fingers and dirty places are the worst. So it makes sense to buy a bag! They come in a bunch of sizes and styles, but they all keep your work dirt-free.
A second (or third, or tenth) pair of scissors
OK, I am a scissor hoarder, but they each have their purpose! From threads to fabric to metallic threads and aida edging, you need yourself a whole bunch!
Needle organizer/case
As you try more and more counts of fabrics, you amass a collection of appropriately sized cross stitch needles to go with them. However, thanks to how close they are in size, you need to keep them all separate, and in better cases than the terrible cases you get them in!
Fabric storage system
Fabric is just as bad, though. From different colors and different counts and different types, keeping track of all those fabrics becomes a real chore without a proper storage solution.
A Magnifier
From handheld to clip-on to fancy and even head-worn, everyone gets a magnifier in the end. Depending on who you are, some might find it better than others, but I personally love mine for higher counts.
Fray Check
I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used fray check, but in every situation it has not only been needed immediately, but also the perfect solution.
A Second Monitor or Tablet
We jump up the price point for this one, but getting yourself a tablet or second monitor so you don’t have to use printed patterns is a godsend. Even if it is costly sometimes…
Specialty Threads
Everyone talks about how bad metallic threads are to use, but you just don’t trust them, and have to buy some for yourself. Or maybe it’s satins, or variegated. All the same, most of us have turned to collecting threads…
Waste Canvas
Before long, you’ll want to stitch something on clothes. And so long as you don’t fall for the TikTok trap, you’ll realise you need some waste canvas. But don’t buy loads, and this stuff really goes far…
A Quality Iron
You’ll want to iron your work to make it look crisp, and protect it from dirt (AFTER you wash it), and you’ll suddenly find yourself wanting a nice new iron to do it with. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll have a separate iron just for cross stitch (or even one of those little craft ones!)
Evenweave or Linen
The time will come when you’ll want to migrate away from aida, and onto other cross stitch fabrics. And most choose evenweave, or possibly linen. I did, and I won’t be trying again, but many of us love the stuff!
Highlighters
Before mark-up apps were a thing, we all printed off paper patterns, and marked them off with highlighters as we went. And whilst I do this far less now than I used to, I still grab my highlighter often.
Fabric Blocking Mat
No one wants a warped cross stitch, and the real trick to solving this issue is a blocking mat/board. Grab yourself some floor foam, a pack of pins, and never look back!
Embroidery Frames For Display
A lot of beginner designs are made for a cross stitch hoop; it looks good to stitch, and it doesn’t require much from the stitcher to move around, but the hoops you stitch with are ugly. So you have to grab yourself something that looks better for display.
Cross Stitch Pattern Holder
If you are one for printing out cross stitch patterns, consider getting yourself a frame to hold it rather than letting it flap about everywhere…
A Cutting Mat
Most of us give plastic canvas a try fairly quickly, but as you need to cut the fabric to size, we all quickly grab a cutting mat to go with it. Even if we often go for an A2 size, when we actually want an A5…
Light!
Whether it be in the form of a daylight bulb, or a specialised lamp, or even a neck light, we all find the need for more light in our lives, and I can tell you it definitely makes it easier to stitch in better light.
Bead Storage
Once everyone has tried and failed at stitching a French knot, we look for alternatives and come across beads. But much like needles, these things need better storage, which is where bead boxes come into play.
More Frames
There simply is no perfect cross stitch frame. But there is a perfect frame for you. Therefore, we have to amass a small collection of different types to see which is best!
Thread Conditioner
Anything to make using metallic threads easier… But if it’s Thread Magic, an old pot of Thread Heaven, or just beeswax, we all have a pot of the stuff somewhere.
Bobbin Winder
Hand winding bobbins gets old REALLY fast once you have more than a handful of thread colors on the go. So I understand why so many of us get a winder, even if as soon as we realise how useless they are, we forget about them.
Even though we’ve had a bit of fun laughing at all the cross stitch accessories we’ve hoarded over the years, we have to hand it to all of these 25 for helping us get to where we are today.
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
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