I used my snowflakes that we talked about last week as a carrot over the weekend.
I often do this with stitching. When I have more onerous tasks that must be done, I turn my embroidery into a carrot. I make myself stay on task for a certain amount of time, and then I take a short stitching (or other kind) of break, where I can do something completely different to take my mind of the more demanding job.
This weekend (and for the last couple weekends), I’ve been working on the e-book for Festive Fall, which I hope to have available for you on Wednesday. (Keep your fingers crossed for me.)
This type of work requires hours upon hours in front of the computer, editing photos, writing, and so forth. I have to make myself shift every hour, and usually, I take the break time to do other small tasks, like changing the wash, doing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, that kind of thing.
To keep myself a little more motivated this weekend, I added 15 minutes of stitching time into the line-up, and made that my carrot. It worked well! Between my 15 minutes here and there and some longer bouts in the evenings, I managed to get a good bit of embroidery done.
I was experimenting this weekend.
I’ve always been a fan of that kind of “Nordic” look to winter decor – the folkish snowflakes and trees and deer and other motifs that you often find in knitting, cross stitch, and the like.
To me, it has a cozy, classic appeal. It can be dressed up and elegant, or dressed down and casual. It works in practically any kind of contrast combination – red on white, white on red, black on white, white on black, blue, natural, and so forth.
So, with visions of gridded snowflakes in mind, I thought I’d play with the notion of “uncounted” cross stitch. Similar to stamped cross stitch, my idea was to transfer the cross stitch design onto a plain-weave towel and see how it stitched up.
What I loved about the experience was that repetitive, relaxing rhythm of stitching, with the sound of the thread passing through fabric mixing itself very pleasantly with the book I was completely engrossed in.
The design worked up quickly, so progress was satisfying.
I didn’t have to think one iota about the stitching, and yet, I was still doing something with my hands.
In fact, if I had had a really good BBC drama to watch while I was working on it, it would have been the ideal combination.
Since there’s no counting involved, and since I didn’t have to think about what stitch to use next, what color to choose for this bit or that bit, it really is a most laid back, comfortable, relaxing approach to stitching up some holiday cheer.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience, and I think the experiment was worth trying! In fact, several years back, I designed a whole slew of snowflakes and similar winter designs, and I’m thinking I might convert more of them to this type of pattern. The fun thing is, the transfer can be off-set. It doesn’t have to follow the “square” of the fabric. I’m thinking about a few more freely-placed designs…
I can see this type of stitching being especially useful for folks who are transitioning between counted work (on a defined grid) and free-style surface embroidery, but who haven’t quite gotten comfortable with the lack of the defined grid.
I can also see it being thoroughly enjoyable for folks who want to be doing something with their hands, in situations where they don’t want to tote a lot of stuff about, where distractions are prevalent (like commuting, road trips, travel, waiting rooms, ball games, TV watching, and the like), or in situations where they just want to relax with some simple handwork.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, though. What do you think? Is this something you would enjoy stitching, too? Is it something you’d want to add to your holiday line-up of embroidery projects? Should I fix up a collection? Feel free to weigh in in the comments below!
And on that note, I’m back to my e-book work. Hopefully, I’ll emerge triumphant from my screen before bedtime tonight. Wish me luck!
Hope your first week of October (crazy, huh?) is off to a great start!
I’d like to try uncounted x stitch- I also like the Nordic winter decor look.
Sounds just lovely to me! I LOVE to do handwork while watching TV–in fact, I find it hard not to do something while the TV is on. And, doing it to an amazing BBC drama is the perfect evening in my opinion, too!
I love your newsletters, and your beautiful projects and ideas. I would be happy to see the cross stitching as you have shown us. Sort of free form. I am a grandmother and have little ones around often. A project like this would be just the ticket.
Thank you.
Mary, I love your carrot on a stick approach to getting everything done. Your snowflakes are enchanting! What leapt into my mind is a cross-stitch snowflake tablecloth…or even transfers for purchase that could be situated wherever one wishes. Just dreamin’. Thank you for your brilliant designs.
I love the idea of a simple project like that as a break from the more intense ones we are doing. Also, love the snowflakes.
I love it! Your “uncounted” snowflake is one of why-didn’t-i-think-of-that great ideas that are stunning in their simplicity.
Definitely interested in uncounted cross stitch with Holiday themes
I would love a collection of uncounted cross stitch especially Christmas but everything else. The snowflakes looks great.
Thanks, Chris
I would love to see your designs in transfer patterns. I’m a doodler and your style of embroidery is beautiful, inspiring and intimidating. I’m also a beginner at embroidery so having patterns to transfer and stitch seems less overwhelming, technique instructional and down right relaxing.
Some years ago I began a cross stitch quilt –one dozen stamped Ohio Rose-type blocks. For my mother who loved quilts. The first couple were interesting; the rest were not soothing. I found them to be mind-numbing torture but I DID finish because it was for Mom. Never, ever, ever, ever again. Working from a chart is an interesting, if blinding, challenge. It will soon be fifty years since completion. Brother returned the quilt to me after mother passed. It’s in the closet….not my style, not my colors and I am still put off by the XXXXXXX’s. (I know others like the xxxxxxx’s, I admire their persistence. Just not for me.)
Give the criss-stitched quilt away. A niece, nephew, hospital, senior center, homeless shelter… To others it will be a warm and beautiful blanket rather than a reminder of stressful stitching time.
We do un-counted cross stitch on a FaceBook group. It is very freeing. Just draw a figure and fill in the stitches. No counting, no transfers, just a pencil line to fill in as we want. The results are primitive and delightful!
Yes, please!!! My eyes have trouble with the counting…
Was this a bought design that you transferred to the towel? Like the old timey iron-on designs?
Hi, Pat – No, I designed it myself and transferred it.
How did you transfer the design to the towel? Lovely.
I have specialty printers and ink, and some heavy duty mechanical equipment for doing the ready-to-stitch goods that I sell.
I would definitely like to do projects like this and I’m wondering how you transferred the design. When I was young I learned on stamped designs and then graduated to counted cross stitch. At the moment I’m working on a simple, single color Halloween design and I have to say I’m enjoying it and I also like the Scandinavian Christmas designs. If you’re looking for BBC type programs, you should look into Britbox and Acorn TV – you’ll be in heaven!
Yes, I would love it!
I love the idea and would enjoy this type of stitching in situations like you mentioned! Please pursue your idea because I am sure there are many who would participate. BTW, what was the project on which you were stitching these awesome snowflakes?
It’s a humble flour sack towel, I’m afraid! It’s actually perfect for this kind of work…!
Yes, Yes, Yes, I would do this sort of “cross-stitch” I am always in need of mindless stitching the kind where I don’t have to think of color changes or pattern. Yes, do a collection please! Having one stitch, one color and especially such a neat thing to make as a snowflake certainly works for me, so I’d say go for it! Many thanks for all the prep work you do for all of us!!
I too am drawn to the visual appeal of Nordic needlework designs. I enjoyed seeing your “uncounted” cross stitch work. Just curious if you applied the same principle used in cross stitching where your top thread is was always placed in the same direction? It looks like you did? Thanks for the inspiration and tips for how to be disciplined in getting not-so-fun tasks accomplished!
I would love more designs with the uncounted cross stitch! Since I am Scandinavian, my love for these designs is genetic…:) Thanks so much!
Karen
I would love to do this.I hope you put together several snowflakes
YES, yes, yes – please do the uncharted cross stitch! Perfect for several occasions I have in my life!
Nice snowflakes Mary. I think something like that would be nice on tea towels amongst other likely places. I’m loving your other tea towel patterns but can’t or don’t want to buy stamped linens. A “Tea Towel Patterns” e-book would be perfect, I think! Still drooling over the pumpkin ones from a few weeks back.
I think you have hit on something Mary! I prefer surface embroidery and honestly the reason why is that I don’t have to think so hard! I love cross stitch patterns but hate the constant counting. I have a few stamped squares somewhere, need to drag them out LOL!
Gillian
PS: I love Acorn TV. Lots of fun BBC shows. Midsomer Murders is one of my favorites!
I love this idea! How did you transfer it to the fabric?
I have specialty printers and ink, and some heavy duty mechanical equipment for doing the ready-to-stitch goods that I sell.
Mary,
If you would like to, I’d love to hear about your audiobooks recommendations. I also like a good book to entertain and enlighten while sewing. My latest is Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, Ghosts of Eden Park, and A Gentleman in Moscow. Seems like sewing and audiobooks go together like peanut butter and jelly or milk and cookies or love and marriage (as in the 1930’s song by that title).
I love your Fall Festival towels that I received last week and look forward to the e-book to accompany them. Meanwhile, as a novice, I continue to try to get a couple of foundational stitches correct. I KNOW this is a laugh-out-loud suggestion and not an altogether serious one, but I wish I could send you a towel and have someone explain why mine does not look like yours. Ever consider such an idea?
Ah well, I love your website and your products. Sincere Thank you.
Peggy
Hi, Peggy – Well, the problem with sending the towel to me is that I would then have to take care of it and make sure I got it back to you in a timely manner. Then there’s all the time it would take to write up a critique and suggestions. I’m afraid I don’t have enough hours in the day right now to rotate that type of task into my working schedule! 🙂
Mary,
I’m so sorry, I saw this as an adjunct to your other offerings, like the towels, the e-books, and projects. I’m a poor communicator as I didn’t say that. I see you as a skilled ‘teacher ‘ deserving recognition and compensation for your talents.
Peggy
I love this Nordic style, too. Please make up the snowflake pattern. I have a gorgeous piece of red linen that I want to make into a table runner! I love your site. Everything is so very helpful.
J
Mary, what a great idea. I need a simple project once in a while that I can actually complete in a short time.
Yes, I would like that. It looks fun and uncomplicated.
That’s exactly what I was envisioning about when you brought up the red snowflakes! There are lots of great Nordic stitch patterns that could surely be converted to the uncounted cross stitch method.
I think this would be really fun. Tea towels, napkins, etc. I love the look of crossstitch but can’t do the counted kind at all. And I totally get what you mean about the pleasure of mindlessness….
I loved the redwork snowflakes! Stitching is such a wonderful medium to stay calm and grounded in a stressful culture. Living in an area where long car drives are the norm for even routine shopping, “take-a-long, simple needlework” (for the passenger!) is a life saver. Simple projects with single colors make the time meaningful and pleasant. The return to the smooth, repetitive needlework is a meditative type practice. I came across a saying that seems to reinforce this concept: “Sometimes your heart speaks best through your hands.” I saw this on a stamp and thought immediately of working it as embroidery.
The Nordic themes seem to echo the “Hygge”, cozy winter theme.
Thank you for your really lovely pictures and suggestions! Your comments are always a bright spot in the day.
Hi Mary – Happy Monday! I love the idea. I have a similar project I’m currently working on only it’s counted. I was thinking how relaxing it would be if I didn’t have to count and could just enjoy stitching . Count me in on purchasing this as soon as you have it ready!!
I have a red kitchen towel that I wanted to do up for a neighbor for a small Christmas goodie and a design like this would be perfect. I better get busy! A copy of this pattern would be a great post. Thanks!
I would love these beautiful in uncross stitch snowflakes. Last year I stitched up some Christmas themed dish towels for my family and they loved them. I am stitching the Festive Fall dish towels for them this year. I am thinking something with Easter Eggs. I’ll have to check you patterns to see if anything is there already.
I would love to do these easy designs … Please consider offering these as Hot Iron-On designs … I am no good at transferring designs, and iron-on would be most welcome.
Dear Mary,
I also like the” Nordic look” style for winter
embroidery. Your designs are so pretty
and a pleasure to stitch. I would love to see some available.
Hi Mary,
This sounds like lots of fun. I would definitely be interested.
I am always looking for that unique something, something that will go in the corner of the flour sack towels I prepare and gift. I have never found anyone who didn’t appreciate feeling special by receiving a small gift. I see the snowflake in a medium blue as well as red. All in the wonderment! Thanks from Judith Currie
Oh, my dear Mary! I have learned (who am I kidding using the past tense, have) so much from you since seeing your first blog. I constantly check your excellent tutorials when attempting a new stitch. You are a wealth of information! In other words, that’s a yes from me as to stitching uncounted cross stitch! If you suggest it, I’m all over it. You are a treasure and one that is keeping the love of needlework alive and well! XO, Willa
I have always done counted cross stitch, but retina issues have made that too difficult now. I would LOVE it if you made the transfers available! I have always felt marked patterns were “cheating,” but now I would welcome them. Thank you for all you do for us.
Forgot to ask … How do you “travel” on the back with the “red/any color”? I think I could use a refresher on that. Thanks from Judith Currie
Good Morning Mary,
This is Beautiful! I’m Loving this done in Blue! Do you also offer the pattern for download of the recent Snowflakes? This is stunning & would make a Great table runner using that Linen, IF, I can find it!
Thanks so much. I have learned a great deal from you on many items using Wool Applique! Extremely Helpful!
Hope you have a Good Monday..
Jacqueline
Yes! Please make up some of the cross stitch kits!
Loved the snowflakes – I would definitely work them. I think the design is very attractive, and stitching with one colour is a bonus!
I like to have something ‘simple’ that I can pick up and work on: something that doesn’t require me to have numerous threads, charts, highlighter pens, etc. on hand. This is the ideal solution.
I love the idea. It’s nice to have something “mindless” yet enjoyable and relaxing to do when you want to stitch but not have to think about it.
Oh yes, Mary! I would love ‘uncounted” cross-stitch. It would enable me to use some of my fabric stash (linen/cotton combination) for gifts. I particularly love Nordic designs of any type.
O Mary, I`m right with you on uncounted x-stitch! Relax the brain, accomplish much, and watch a good BBC program from the recorded queue. Projects work up fast with satisfaction at the end of the day.
Karole in Texas
I think the idea of ‘uncounted cross-stitch’ is an excellent idea. I often look for something to keep my hands busy while ‘waiting’. The thought of not having to schlep a lot of things in order to accomplish this is of prime interest to me.
I would love to add an uncounted cross-stitch project to my ‘go’ bag and have that special feeling of accomplishment that a few minutes of stitching provides!
I love your embroidery. I’ve been doing this since I was 16 years old and it never ceases to amaze me. The colors, the threads, the patterns!!! I could get lost for hours in the thread stores. I do mostly clothing. My jeans are my favorites. Roses and feathers are fabulous. I did a male lion once that nearly left me bald doing the mane. Still, I’ll never get enough, and I’ll never be as good as you are. Thanks for all the tips and teaching. Your website is the best!!!!
Why, thank you, Jo!
Hi Mary, I really like the idea of uncounted cross stitch since my eyes now cross when I try to do counted cross stitch. 🙂 What I haven’t liked were the patterns I’ve seen, so if you come up with a pattern I could try, that would be fun. The only issue is transferring the design – I can see it might be tedious.
Thanks for everything you share! I look forward to your emails with enthusiasm. Sally
Yes it would great to have som3 stitching that you can pickup and not have to think too much about.
I would really enjoy this as an accompaniment to the evergreen 3-towel transfer set.
I think it is a great idea, love those Scandinavian reindeer and snowflake designs. Cute for ornaments and pillows too.
Along the same lines, I find candlewick embroidery the most relaxing type there is. You are always using 1 color and 1 type of thread; in addition, the design is large enough that you don’t have to strain your eyes when in a less-than-ideal stitching light. Even the needle eye is large enough that you never need to have some sort of threader at hand.
What a lovely project it would make! I grew up learning with stamped embroidery on dish towels and pillow cases, so I know it can be a relaxing endeavor. Thank you for all your outstanding projects and lessons!
This is exactly the kind of stitching I need late in the day when my brain is drained and I don’t want to figure stuff out!
I can no longer just sit and watch TV. I have to be doing something.
I also listen to lots of books, and if I’m not doing something I’ll fall asleep.
One year I crocheted a billion snowflakes- I wonder how they would translate to cross stitch? I’ll have to look.
PS…I’m going to Norway next March! Big deal for me since I haven’t traveled for years. It’s a knitting cruise to see the Northern lights!
Oooooooooh, so Jealous of your Travel Plans!!! I hope you have a wonderful journey!
To be frank I have severe social anxiety with other chronic weasels, and I spend a *lot* of time in hospital and clinic queues. Monochrome designs on a small hoop would be perfect – enough to keep myself distracted, not feel like I’m wasting time, but unlike radio, podfic or books, I’m unlikely to get so lost in it that I miss my name being called.
Perfect.
I love when you share your experiments and discuss why they worked or didn’t work. Thank you.
How did you transfer the design to the fabric? I design tablecloths as wedding gifts and I have used Pellon Wash-N-Gone Embroidery Stabilizer to transfer the design. I trace the design using either colored pen or pencil then baste the stabilizer to the front of the cloth. After all stitching is complete I cut away what I can then soak in water and the stabilizer disappears. I have never used the stabilizer for cross stitch projects but only for embroidered projects. The nice thing about the stabilizer is it is 19″ wide and as long as you need it to be.
I have specialty printers and ink, and some heavy duty mechanical equipment for doing the ready-to-stitch goods that I sell.
Good afternoon Mary
Yes, this does appeal to me. I can not watch TV without knitting or something and
this looks just right for long winter nights.
Sharon
I think you’re right. It would be a nice transition from counted cross stitch to embroidery. I recently took a stab at freehand embroidery where I drew my words directly onto the fabric. It’s not perfect and it’s not complete yet but when you can’t find a pattern/saying that you want, you must make your own.
I love all embroidery work and am designing some for Christmas gifts. I would like to know how you got your design onto the fabric, it looks stamped.
I have specialty printers and ink, and some heavy duty mechanical equipment for doing the ready-to-stitch goods that I sell.
Lovely! I’d definitely be interested in this. Love to do the occasional project that works up quickly without much thought. Snowflakes are perfect and love the red! These would make great Christmas presents alone or to wrap a bottle of wine or for the bread basket. Questions– what is the scale of this? I can’t tell how large the stitches are or how big each snowflake is. Also — how did you transfer your pattern? It looks like a really clean commercially prepared product.
Hi, Barbara – the x’s are a little bit larger than 1/8″. Yes, I designed and transferred myself. I have specialty printers and ink, and some heavy duty mechanical equipment for doing the ready-to-stitch goods that I sell.
I absolutely love this idea! I usually do freehand embroidery because counting & following a pattern are too much for me, but because of this I don’t get many big projects done (I mostly do ornaments in felt). This would be a perfect compromise for me to do something bigger that is less demanding.
Yes please!
Many Stitcher’s have turned up their nose at preprinted cross stitch projects – but there are beautiful ones to be done. I have a friend who has done 3 bedspreads using preprinted squares from a catalogue. I have done two tablecloths with preprinted designs. It is relaxing, a little mindless and very productive. I compare it to basketweave on a painted canvas.
The biggest challenge is to find preprinted cross stitch designs on pure linen or 100% cotton rather than some polyester blend. I found my cotton tablecloths in Europe.
Where do you get the uncounted x stitch patterns from, are they iron on? I have looked for patterns for this sort of work but to no avail. Your email was so wonderful to read and find out.
Thanking you for a great site
Wendy
I designed these myself, Wendy. And I have specialty printers and ink for making my own transfers, and then the equipment to do the transfers.
I love to do crewel work, and embroidery. I do not care at all for counted cross stitch, but when I’ve done it, it’s been the sort of piece that’s just one color. Here’s the last one I did last year as a gift – it was all one color and I really enjoyed it! https://www.herrschners.com/product/wichelt+imports%2C+inc.+green+bike+counted+cross-stitch+chart.do
Hi Mary, I would love to do snowflakes in red. Reminds me of a Nordic winter, as mentioned in other posts.
The very first needlework I ever did was ‘stamped’ cross stitch and surface stitchery. What used to frustrate me was that the fabric always ended up not square after it was washed so I was very happy to switch to counted work. I think some care needs to be taken in transferring the pattern to fabric so that does not happen.
I would love to have patterns like this to stitch during “odd” moments during the day. Sometimes I just need something to keep my hands busy without a lot of thinking.
I love uncounted cross stitch, it has such a folksy charm. I have an old set of transfers of scottie dogs and their collars/bows are worked in uncounted cross stitch, and the days of the week are too.
I love the idea you came up with and I can see just how it will turn out. I hope you do come up with some designs and I don’t have a printer so would love to see the design printed on one of the towels you print on or a design I can copy from a design sheet and put the design on myself. I would gladly pay for a design…I doubt you have a lot of spare time but I can dream. I have a kit to work on but haven’t started it yet…..too many medical issues going on. It is in my thoughts a lot though and maybe my gift to me is to start that kit. Thanks for the post today. Loved it.
Your embroidery work is so beautiful . Would love to see more of this.
Thank you,
Rita
The uncounted cross stitch looks so appealing to me. As I age my eyesight is not so good on 18 count linen. Keeping something(s) going all the time on needles, hook, stitching or quilting I love to have the variety. This may become my next grab and go with project. I really liked the metalic silvery snowflake. I married a Swede so enjoy the blue and red at Christmas too.
I am a quilt maker and embroiderer. I often hand piece quilts which is relaxing, repetitive, and do-able while watching the tube. I have pieced 2 queen sized charm quilts this way and have a third in process (hexis)!
I would love a few pieces of “uncounted” cross stitch. I’ll buy a whole set if they don’t sell out first. Thanks so much for your blog…..
I Love this! I do not enjoy counted cross stitch but was taught embroidery on a basic alphabet cross stitch (which my mother kept and I have framed and dated 1964). I would like to know the best way to transfer a cross design onto fabric.
Thanks!
Hi Mary, Good idea
I would love it if you put a variety of uncounted cross stitch patterns together. I am always looking for stress free relaxing designs and snowflakes are perfect. May even try some sparkly threads.
How did you transfer the design?
I have a professional set up with special printers and inks and other equipment…
I am currently working on a table runner that was pre-printed with stitches. My impression is the result of this method of stitching depends upon the quality of the printing. The crosses on my cloth were not accurately sized or placed, and the result was turning into something like a freehand sketch. It wasn’t working well with the design. I began adjusting the sizes and placements of each stitch to be more uniform, and I like the result better. I intend to rip out the uncounted stitches and redo them.
I would love a project such as this. It would be a relaxing way to keep my hands busy. I especially like the red and white , as well as Nordic. Your site is very informative. Thanks for your effort and time.
Great idea. I love al, your work. Im doing a counted cross stitch. So some none counted would be restful.
Please do a collection! I would love some pretty, practical, pleasant projects that I don’t have to pause to ponder!
Sounds… perfect! LOL!
Oh, yes, please! Uncounted cross-stitch, especially in one (or two, max) colors would be very relaxing. And I, too, like the Nordic designs. You can use them all winter!
I love these snowflakes! Very “old world” and so intriguing to look at. I would enjoy making these very much!
Yes I would just love to do that type of stitching, one that would be very relaxing for me.
I love the idea. It looks like fun and relaxing stitching.
I would love to try this kind of “uncounted” cross stitch! I started stitching with counted cross stitch, but it can feel confining sometimes and is very focus demanding, so the freer style to this kind of stitching is intriguing. Seems perfect for when I’d want to stitch while watching a tv show or listening to a book. Those red snowflakes are gorgeous!
This type of printed cross stitch is very kind to maturing eyesight.
Yes, YES, YEESS! Please do prepare a kit! I’d do this in a heartbeat for sweet handmade gifts!
Thank you so much! I love the relaxing aspects of it, and also the carrot idea. How did you transfer the pattern? Would you do the transfer differently for x’s than for a regular embroidery design? I am still daunted by the idea of transferring.
Hi, Kathy – Yes, this would be pretty difficult to transfer by hand at home. You could use an iron-transfer pen and a ruler, I suppose. The fine-tipped iron-on transfer pens from Sublime Stitching work pretty well, but the lines would even then be a bit too heavy, I think. I do mine professionally (with a lot of specialty equipment), and I can experiment until I get the design lines as super-fine as the equipment will produce. So with these small x’s, the lines doesn’t show. I think with an iron-on transfer pen (even the fine-tipped Sublime Stitching ones), the lines would be difficult to hide. Maybe tracing with a fine tipped mechanical pencil? Yikes!
I stitched the free snowflake you gave us last year in red, and I kept it on display long after Christmas was over. I would love to make this new design on towels too. I would definitely buy a snowflake collection.
I love cross stitching & in fact, it was what my grandmothers used to teach me to embroidery. It can be simple or elaborate and very relaxing. I hope you offer your snowflakes in this format. I love both & really want to buy the pattern!!
Thanks for your blog and website. You offer much helpful and inspiring info.
I recently read on a blog about uncounted cross stitch, but for primitive style samplers. I’m not a FB person, so I couldn’t check out the group, but the photos the person posted on their blog of their work – charming results. I don’t know if the pattern were drawn on fabric first or if done from an idea in their head. I’m not much on cross stitch, but may give it a try, on small projects. Especially on those days when my abilities to cound and follow a pattern are lacking
Please fix up a collection, if you would. I am a new follower and new to embroidery. It’s a bit daunting and this would be perfect given its simplicity (and beauty).
Thank you.
I never thought of that type of cross stitch as a way to be making something without having to think about it much…will have to dig out something I have to use traveling. Glad I read this today. Paige Davis
I love this! The reason I stopped doing cross stitch and moved to surface embroidery is I hated counting and squinting at charts and figuring out where the next cross should go – this totally solves those problems!
Yes, please! I really enjoy learning new embroidery stitches and trying new projects, but just a simple stitch and 1 color would be a more relaxing project for me right now.
Beautiful stitching as always Mary. I love that red. How did you transfer the design to the towel?
I really like the idea of “uncounted cross stitch” but I also really liked the snowflake that you showed a few days ago which employed simple embroidery stitches. I would prefer a collection of snow flakes that has more variety beyond the cross stitches. Though, to be clear, I would enjoy some cross stitched snow flakes in the mix. Great ideas Mary!
I absolutely LOVE this! (I also didn’t know that’s what “uncounted” cross-stitch was, so I learned something new today) I’d love to see more of your snowflake patterns worked up like this, or if you wanted to just post the instructions of how to make that conversion from the original patterns to this cross-stitch style. Thanks!
Love it. I’d like to do this. I’m getting back into handwork after years of neglect. This would be perfect while watching TV or just for a few minutes of self care.
It looks wonderful. What a great idea. Thanks again for sharing.
Dear Mary
The uncounted cross stitch snowflake is really lovely and I’m glad you have found some stitching which is relaxing as well as beautiful and in your busy life you need a little relaxation. I like the folkish look and red thread you have chosen and the pattern. I hope this will be available to us for future ebook as I would love to stitch this one day. Thanks you for sharing your uncounted snowflake pattern with us and for the photos, it’s lovely.
Regards Anita Simmance
Hi, Anita – I don’t know about putting the uncounted into an e-book or pattern. They would be almost impossible to transfer by hand. So we shall see what happens with those! There are some other options, though – so we’ll see!
Dear Mary
Thank you for your reply I look forward to the other options available as I can understand it would be difficult to put this pattern into an ebook. But thanks for your answer
Regards Anita Simmance
Mary, This kind of project is exactly what I love to do and it is for all the reasons you noted above. The end result may not be absolutely perfect but that adds to the casual feel of the holidays.
I would LOVE this! I fall mainly into the wanting to transition to embroidery but not having the structure of a grid scares me. And of course the ease and dealing with distractions is always a plus!
I love this look for Christmas and the low stress element at this time of year.
Yes, definitely interested in this type of pattern.
The snowflake would be great. I’m beginning to have trouble managing threading small needles and doing intricate stitches, but I’ve stitched since I was a child and hate giving it up. Plus I’ve wanted to do some snowflakes for a long time.
Hi Mary,
I have to weigh in on the red. I love red and the blues you used in today’s post. I’ll be watching the French needle to get my set of those blues! But back to the reds – I would totally be making red snowflakes, after all, all the Nordic snowflakes and designs are already red – a good choice I think! Your floofy flake looks wonderful – will you be sharing that pattern? Love reading your posts! I’m contemplating trying to transform a crossstitch pattern into an embroidery one this winter. Hope it works!
Happy Monday to you,
Cindy
I always loved the Scandinavian red and white designs. It takes me right into the middle of winter! These snowflakes are beautiful.
This is a wonderful idea. Thank you.
I love “mindless” projects like this! I usually keep something like it in my purse for those “waiting” moments. Currently I have a pre-printed sashiko project to carry around but would love to try some un-counted cross stitch.
Responding to the uncounted
crosstitch
Yes please do more….. love it!!!
Am a bit late to read and respond, but WOW, I love the idea of these Nordic cross stitch patterns. Just my speed most days! Would love some ornament sized objects, Christmas stockings, blouse collars, kitchen towels, table runners… Thanks for everything you do, Mary. You help me keep the work in mind!
Yes! I love to do needle work but can’t stand to count. I like it all mapped out so it becomes more of a meditation as well as something I can carry around. Doctor visits for family members is where I have done a great deal of needlepoint. I admit I get quite cranky when the office doesn’t have good light and I’m stuck there doing nothing. That’s when I break out the Kindle.
I would love to buy a red table runner with white no-count cross stitch snowflakes as a kit! 6 napkins as a kit to match would also be great! -Don’t know how you do all that you do, but you and your talents are very appreciated!
Becky
Hi, Becky – that would be a really fun kit! I don’t have one, unfortunately, and I don’t have time to put any together this year. But perhaps it’s something I could look into for next year. We’ll see! The transfer on the darker red is somewhat more challenging. But I’ve been working on solutions, so maybe by next year, I’ll have that figured out!
I am very interested the Nordic style of decor and the uncounted cross stitch. I am going to be watching for more of these. Thank you for all you do. I read youor daily posts and and sometimes get lost in the back following posts.
beautiful. I enjoyed this a lot. the red snowflakes were so pretty they could be added to a skirt or a table cloth.
Hi Mary…i just came upon this old post and wanted to ask you if you did make up any stamped cross stitch patterns/kits…
The counted ones are just too hard on my old eyes, and i did find one lady on Etsy who has kits, and just bought a colonial redware kit…
Let me know if you do sell any of these…
Thank You,
Sandi Lucero
Hi, Sandi, I do have some Christmas / Winter related stamped cross stitch ready-to-stitch towel sets listed in my shop, but I don’t have any prepared at this time. We will have some a little later in the summer.
Where did you get the cross stitch transfers to iron onto the plain-weave towel. I do not like to do embroidery, just cross stitch and those iron-on wash away transfers are hard to find.
I make them here in my studio. 🙂
I have a question. How do you breezily “transfer a cross stitch pattern” to a plain weave towel, or a flour sack towel for that matter? How do you keep the x’s an even size and shape, and what media do you use to physically transfer that pattern to the fabric, and have a pattern that isn’t too hard to cover with your stitches?
Thank you for your advice!
I draw out the designs – every little x – as a vector drawing and I turn them into transfers and then transfer them with my equipment that I use here in the studio. So each one of those designs is “hand drawn” on the computer, one x at a time….