Over the last few months of lockdown, not only have the die-hard stitchers out there been at it with vigour, but my sources tell me, a whole host of new crafters have joined the crew. Picking up a needle and thread for some, for the first time ever and falling in love with cross stitch from scratch.
Some of you will have been in our Facebook group since the beginning, doing every single stitch-a-long since Happiness is Homemade in 2017 and for others, you might be wondering, 'what's a stitch-a-long?' or 'would this be suitable for a beginner?' Well dear gang, I've got you covered!
If there was ever a time to take up stitching or a moment to get into your first (or 40th) stitch-a-long, this is it. Christmas is one of my favourite times of year and although pre-order opens in August, like anything worthwhile, our festive stitching takes time. Here are 5 great reasons to join us on this crafting journey!
The brand new mystery Hello Deer stitch-a-long starts on 28th September and it's perfect for beginners. Equally, if you're already a seasoned stitcher, you're also going to find plenty in this pattern to motivate and delight!
Pre-order from 19th August 2020 onwards
If you love all things cross stitch, Christmas, nature and colour, this is the cross stitch kit for you! The theme is a festive winter tree which follows the same style as our autumn/fall tree Hello Pumpkin from 2019. It also forms part of a seasons tree series which our summer tree, Hello Sunshine will also be adding to in 2021! You'll come away at the end of this exciting community project with a cross stitch piece to be proud of that you can cherish and show off for years to come!
We'll be using the 14 gorgeous shades of DMC thread/floss (shown above on the silver DMC ring and plastic bobbins). The colours are pretty traditional but with some beautiful rich greens and icy blues thrown in for good measure!
If you're new to stitch-a-longs, don't worry because help is at hand. We have full support available in our dedicated Facebook group where you'll be in good company with over 7,000 other stitchers from all over the world. We also have a help from our friendly and encouraging customer service team available by email support@caterpillarcrossstitch.com.
If you're considering this as your first ever stitch-a-long, I would be honoured to have you with us! Hello Deer is a mystery 5-part project where one small section of the overall pattern is revealed and emailed to you as a digital PDF file once every fortnight. It runs up to mid-November 2020 so you have time to finish it off before Christmas!
The full kit materials are shipped to you at the beginning but the patterns are slowly revealed over the duration of the project. All members stitch the same pieces at the same time (although there's absolutely no pressure to stick to any strict deadlines, simply enjoy and stitch at your own pace!)
You can choose from PDF patterns only (including colour and black and white patterns) where you would source your own kit materials from elsewhere separately or full kit options with everything you need including gorgeous snow white Zweigart fabrics (available in 14 count aida, 16 count aida or 28 count evenweave), silky smooth DMC threads (lovingly cut by hand and pre-sorted on to a special Carlos the Caterpillar thread holder for ease), a DMC branded needle, full instructions and colour key. Here's all you need to know...
The feedback from stitchers is amazing and I've yet to meet someone who doesn't love making new friends, posting images of their work in progress or getting that little surprise when each new part arrives! Join thousands of other stitchers worldwide for this exciting project. It really does feel pretty cool being a part of something so special.
Especially if you're a beginner, you're only facing stitching a small pattern section at a time so its quick, keeps you engaged and isn't overwhelming. And there's absolutely no rush to keep up if life gets in the way! Many stitchers keep up while others take a break or work on other projects and catch up further down the line.
Its different to your job, looking after the kids or doing work around the house. This is time out for you. Peace at the end of a stressful day and a chance to really zone-out! When you start off small but after a while see you've actually stitched a beautiful section that's appeared out of nowhere, it gives such a sense of achievement that money can't buy!
We also have a special magnetic robin needle minder to complement this stitch-a-long. It has two super strong magnets on the back so it stays in place on your fabric and the needle that's held on top that won't be going anywhere! These little delights come presented on thick backing card and were designed using the same colours as the stitch-a-long threads. We have 15 designs and you can now grab any 3 for a reduced price of £23.90.
To find out more about needle minders, watch this quick guide HERE.
A stitch-a-long is a wonderful way to make new friends, really feel part of a community and find your crafty tribe! Join over 7,000 stitchers from all over the world in our dedicated Facebook group HERE. We share photos of our stitching, tips, chat about our day and support each other. If you have any stitching questions, this is the place to be!
The Hello Deer stitch-a-long starts on 28th September 2020 and the final part is released in November (just in time to finish off ready for Christmas to give away as an amazing gift or keep to display in your own home!) so this is a great project to get your teeth into during the coming months.
Click here to SHOP the stitch-a-long and find out more!
Cross another craft off your bucket list and indulge with Sally's book, guiding you through beginner friendly designs, tips, easy-to-follow instructions and a simple list of supplies that you will require to complete your first cross stitch.
In the book, you will learn basic skills that you'll need to get started in this creative craft! There are 6 designs for you to practice your new skills, become a pro with your hoop and fabric and explore a variety of finishing options. With recommendations for the best thread, needles and helpful tools, you'll be on your way to cross stitch euphoria!
This beginner-friendly cross stitch subscription box contains all of the high-quality supplies needed to create a craft-themed cross stitch project - easy-to-follow instructions, a professionally printed colour pattern on one page of A4 paper, DMC stranded cotton, 1 DMC branded size 24 needle, sand Zweigart 14 count aida fabric (ideal for beginners) and a pre-sorted CCS thread holder.
