Every autumn I start knitting for the cold weather, and it seems like I don’t stop until the snow starts melting. Hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, socks….
So before all that chaos (but since I have a thing for needle crafts) I decided to try cross stitching.. The thing is, I’m used to having a complete item when I’m finished with a knitting project. With cross stitch, I have a few pictures of various sizes, but that’s it! What do I do with theses pieces?

I see cross stitch hung in picture frames, or on decorative pillows, but is that all? It seems like cross stitch is just an embellishment to projects for people who enjoy sewing, but I don’t have sewing needles or frames or pillow filler or baby clothes or backing fabric or anything just laying around…

What kinds of projects can I do? Any suggestions or info on this new little craft I’m trying would be appreciated.

Thanks!

A close relative is needlepoint, which can be used for chair seats.

Cross stitch panels can be used as decoration in things like glasses or scissors cases and you can often find kits for these. They can be inserted into plastic mugs: http://www.leisurearts.com/cross-stitch/mugs-for-mom-dad-cross-stitch-patterns.html or put under clear light switch covers (such as you find for use with special wall papers). The small ones can be mounted in clear fronted magnets and used on the fridge.

You can also purchase special AIDA cloth items to embellish without having to sew. Such as hand towels and baby bibs. These are ready made items that have a section of AIDA for working counted cross stitch already built in.