Confession: I don't start stitching Christmas gifts in July. Since most of the needlework patterns I design are for destined for magazines, I pretty much stitch for every season and holiday all year round. Editorial calendars vary from publication to publication, so I have to remain seasonally flexible. Right now I'm working on projects for Halloween, Christmas, spring, summer, and fall.
For those of you who do start your holiday crafting in these hot and humid days of summer, I've rounded up a few of my favorite Christmas and winter designs. I've included two cross-stitch, two crochet, and two sewing projects. (Please don't ask me which of these needlecrafts is my favorite; I couldn't possible decide!) One pattern--the Mistletoe Garland Scarf--is a freebie on my blog. The others are available for purchase on the publishers' websites.
Here's a description of each project and a link to the pattern or publication:
Cross-Stitched Snowflake Quartet Ornament (top left)
I love the soothing blues I used for this snowflake ornament, which originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Just CrossStitch magazine. Now you can purchase and download the individual pattern at Annie's Catalog here.Poinsettia Table Topper (top center)
Bold colors and simple shapes come together in this appliqued design made with wool felt from National Nonwovens. Click here to purchase and download the December 2018 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting, where the pattern was published.Stocking Cap Tree Topper and Scarf Garland (top right)
The idea for this fun design was floating around in my head for many months before I finally made it happen. I'm glad I did--and I'm also glad that it found its way to the pages of Annie's Christmas Special 2018. Click here to purchase and download the issue.Felt Penguin Gift Bag (bottom left)
This cute little penguin gift bag and her friend (not pictured) were featured in the 2016 Fall/Winter issue of Make It Yourself magazine. Good news! The issue is still available to purchase and download here.Mistletoe Garland Scarf (bottom center)
I believe this fun scarf--which also makes a cute garland--was my first published crochet pattern. It's now available as a free PDF on my blog. Click here to go to the Printable Patterns page and scroll down to find the link to the scarf pattern.Evergreen Star Ornament (bottom right)
I love the scent of pine at Christmastime, so I filled this cross-stitch ornament with dried pine balsam. If you missed the February 2019 issue of Just CrossStitch magazine, where the the design first appeared, you can purchase and download the pattern here at Annie's Catalog.I hope one of these designs gets you in the Christmas in July spirit. I'll of course be sharing more holiday stitchery as December gets closer. Happy stitching!