Pokemon Concept Art Embroidery by Lord Libidan 22 Oct 3:02 AM (4 days ago)
Title: Pokemon Concept Art (Satoshi Tajiri’s Capsule Monsters)
Date Completed: September 2025
Design: Lord Libidan
Count: 22
Canvas: White
Colors: 1
Video Game: Pokemon
I’ve had this pattern in mind for literally YEARS.
After seeing some of Tom Katsumi’s embroidery work on manga (have I mentioned he’s my favorite cross stitcher), I had always wanted to up my game and do something similar. But, whilst I do read manga and comics, nothing really resonated with me enough to make a pattern from it.
It went on the big pile of ideas for a while, being brought back out time after time, never really sure what I could do with it.
Until my Bowser concept art cross stitch.
I just fell in love with concept art!
This pushed me down a rabbit hole somewhat, with my other passion, Japanese shin hanga print cross stitch. I started looking into the concept art of some of the most famous pieces out there, but still, nothing sparked this particular idea.
Sure, it did end up with me planning and stitching my Snow At A Guest House On Ponds Edge cross stitch.
However, there is one other passion in my life: Pokemon.
When the concept art of Pokemon came to the public eye, I knew I had to stitch some of it!
I had known for a while that Rhyhorn was the first Pokemon created and that he even used to be on his back feet only. So when I saw this cave-based piece, I thought it was perfect!
I later discovered that this piece of art was THE original Pokemon art. The very first idea of Pokemon on paper (and now embroidery!)
It then sat, half patterned for about 1 year. The truth is, that this was hard work to make a pattern for! The original artwork was done with a brush pen, meaning some lines were thick, some thin, and others went from thick to thin!
The scan itself wasn’t the best in the world either, meaning it took a lot of work to ensure the lines were not only placed in an eye-pleasing way, but one that would do justice to the originals of Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori.
Hopefully, I did just that!
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
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How to Blend Threads for Smooth Cross Stitch Shading 15 Oct 3:01 AM (11 days ago)
When it comes to cross stitch blending, you get one of three types of people;
– People who avoid it like the plague
– People who think blending thread probably means a bad quality cross stitch pattern
– People who put up with it in kits on the rare chance they actually include blending
But this simply isn’t fair!
Yes, cross stitch blending is a little difficult at first and is an advanced technique, but it can add so much to a cross stitch pattern. Coupled with cross stitch dithering and you have a real skill on your hands!
Why Shading Matters in Cross Stitch Art
Blending threads, simply put, helps with shading in cross stitch. It makes harsh transitions between colors smoother, or allows for more natural shading across one color.
These both help add dimension and realism to patterns, avoiding those flat blocks of color that many cross stitch patterns have.
This, in turn, makes the image look more lifelike, giving smooth light, shadows, and textures. If you’re choosing to create a cross stitch portrait, it’s even more important, with hair and skin tones needing smooth transitions.
But it can also help with animals and nature designs, or landscapes (where you will find blending most often appearing in kits and patterns).
Step by Step Guide to Cross Stitch Blending
So let’s break down blending step by step, and show you just how easy it actually is to blend threads!
First, we need to work out the colors to use.
Choose your colors
This seems basic, but actually, it is a really important step.
You’ll need two colors that feature blocks next to each other. It works best when they’re in large areas and in the background, too.
And then you need to make sure they are close in shade to each other.
See, there is no point trying to combine a bright orange and a dark purple; these won’t blend. But a light purple and a slightly darker purple will. So getting the tone is very important. For this step, we always suggest using a cross stitch color chart as it lists out colors in tones, rather than numbers, and will help you to transition those threads better.
For those of you who want to try this out on an existing pattern, you may have to change one of the colors on your pattern to allow for a better transition. Try making only the smallest amount of color changes you can, though!
Cut strands
Secondly, we have to cut the strands. This is simple, really, but just make sure they are the same length!
Thread the needle
Stitch normally
Then you just need to stitch! Try taking three lines of the color block on either side, and stitch the blending threads there.
This will allow for a smooth and gradual color shift between the two blocks.
Layer for depth
You can just leave it there, but by building up blends together and combining different pairs across an area, you can make a really seamless look.
Cross Stitch Tips for Realistic Shading and Depth
So, it’s a nice and simple idea! But with a few tips, you can make it even better:
– Work from light to dark for natural transitions.
– Test blends on a scrap piece of fabric before committing.
– Use half stitches or backstitch details to soften edges.
– Blend more than two shades for smoother gradients in larger areas.
– Railroad
Now, it’s that last one that I really want you to think about doing. Unlike normal cross stitch, where railroading is more of a show-off technique, when it comes to cross stitch blending, railroading will give a much smoother transition to the eye.
The reason for this is that your eye naturally follows the stitching, so a cleaner cross stitch stops your eye from being confused by the blended threads.
Advanced Technique: Think About Your Top Thread
Finally, I want to drop in an advanced technique, which is a little more complicated to do, and I would definitely suggest using a double eye needle for this one.
And that technique is to think about what your top or bottom thread will be.
The image below from Little Lion Stitchery is a great example of this technique in action. By swapping the top thread with the lighter or darker threads, you can drastically change the look.
I would personally
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cross Stitch Blending
There are a couple of things to avoid when blending threads though, but nothing too taxing. Just try to avoid the following:
Using colors too far apart – Harsh contrasts looks patchy.
Not checking dye lots – Mismatched floss dye lots can ruin smooth blends.
Overusing blends – Too much can make a design muddy instead of sharp and ruin the look.
Skipping fabric prep – If you’re stitching on a loose weave fabric, ensure it’s straight before you start, as adjusting after stitching can make it look weird.
Mixing thread types – Keep to one thread brand and type to avoid odd and unintended effects.
Have you ever tried cross stitch blending? We’d love to hear how you found it!
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
Explore all our cross stitch guides to master everything from basics to advanced techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thread counts work best for shading in cross stitch?
A mid-size count works best for shading, 14 to 18, if using the 1 over 1 technique.
How do I blend two or more colors effectively?
It’s best to ensure the two colors are similar in tone to each other, and either side of the blending area is one of the solid colors. In addition, making sure the cross stitch blending is dithered slightly will help.
Can blending threads make cross stitch look like a painting?
Yes, by blending threads you can get a more tonal image, elevating cross stitch beyond the blocks of color you may be accustomed to seeing.
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