50 Cross Stitch Blogs Worth Following in 2026
50 active cross stitch blogs verified for 2026. Pattern designers, reviewers, FlossTubers, and communities.
Every blog on this list is run by real people who care about this craft. We verified them all.
There’s something about a cross stitch blog that a social media feed can never replace. A blog is someone’s own space. Nobody’s algorithm decides if you get to see it. The author controls what goes up, how it looks, and how long it stays. No character limits. No disappearing stories. No platform pivot that wipes everything overnight. In a world where most craft content lives on Instagram reels and TikTok videos that scroll past in seconds, cross stitch blogs are where the deep knowledge actually lives - the 2,000-word tutorials, the honest software reviews, the project documentation that someone spent months writing up.
We wanted to celebrate that. So we went through every cross stitch blog we could find, verified which ones are actually still active in 2025-2026, and picked 50 that we think are worth your time. This isn’t a ranking. There’s no #1 or #50. We grouped them by what makes each one interesting, so you can find the kind of content you’re looking for.
If we missed your favorite blog (or your own), let us know.
The essential hubs
These are the sites where cross stitchers gather, learn, and come back to again and again. If you’re new to the online cross stitch world, start here.
Lord Libidan (lordlibidan.com) is probably the single most useful cross stitch website on the internet. Software reviews with community ratings from thousands of users. Thread conversion charts. Fabric guides. Calculator tools. Free patterns. Six published books. The guy has won Cross Stitcher of the Year and exhibited in galleries, but the blog reads like your most knowledgeable friend explaining things clearly. His “Top 50 Cross Stitch Blogs” and “Best FlossTube Channels” lists are community institutions.
Mr X Stitch (mrxstitch.com) has published over 4,000 posts since 2008, with one mission: cross stitch is art, not just craft. Jamie Chalmers - who calls himself “The Kingpin of Contemporary Embroidery” - runs XStitch Magazine and the NeedleXChange podcast. He’s given TedX talks and designed glow-in-the-dark patterns for DMC. If you want cross stitch taken seriously, this is the place.
Gathered (gathered.how/needlework/cross-stitch) is the online home of The World of Cross Stitching magazine, now 369+ issues deep. Free patterns from designers like Margaret Sherry and Durene Jones, competitions, tutorials. Backed by a major UK publisher, so the production quality is consistently high.
Needle ‘n Thread (needlenthread.com) by Mary Corbet isn’t strictly cross stitch - it covers all hand embroidery - but with 4,000+ posts going back to 2006, it’s one of the most comprehensive needlework education resources online. Cross stitchers will find technique guides, tool reviews, and book reviews that apply directly. Mary’s “Big List of Embroidery & Needlework Blogs” is a resource in itself.
r/CrossStitch (reddit.com/r/CrossStitch) with 225K+ members is the largest cross stitch community online. Lord Libidan calls it “where the cross stitch masters hang their hat.” Contemporary styles dominate. It’s a forum, not a blog, but it functions as the town square for the entire online cross stitch world.
Pattern designers worth following
These people sell patterns, but they also blog. Free patterns, design insights, tutorials, and a window into how professional designers think about their craft.
Caterpillar Cross Stitch (caterpillarcrossstitch.com) is run by Sally Wilson and a team of nine in rural Warwickshire. Modern, beginner-friendly kits and patterns. What sets them apart is the community they’ve built - a 10K+ member Facebook group, live Stitching Socials, and an All-Star Stitchers membership program. The blog covers everything from the history of cross stitch to practical technique tutorials.
Satsuma Street (satsumastreet.com) is Jody Rice, a former film costume designer in LA who creates some of the most recognizable modern cross stitch patterns out there. The city skyline series is iconic. Colorful, graphic, travel-inspired designs sold in hundreds of shops worldwide. Free PDF charts on the site.
Sirithre / Sirious Stitches (sirithre.com) is Gina, who sits at the intersection of gaming and stitching. She wrote the Stardew Valley Cross Stitch Guide and the Undertale Cross Stitch Book. Six years of monthly tutorials. Lord Libidan ranks her #3 on his Top 50 blogs list. Her finishing tutorials alone are worth the visit.
Tiny Modernist (tinymodernist.com) is Cheryl McKinnon, a former fashion designer in Canada. Retro, mid-century, pop-culture-inspired patterns with clean lines and bold graphic colors. Free downloadable patterns on the site. Her work has been featured in CrossStitcher, World of Cross Stitching, and XStitch Magazine.
Lesley Teare (lesleyteare.com) is a professionally trained textile designer who blogs weekly free chart installments. Each week, she publishes a piece of a larger sampler - Flora, Folk, Christmas, Easter series. Over time, you build up a complete pattern for free. One of the most generous blogs in cross stitch.
Stitch People (stitchpeople.com) is Lizzy and Spencer Bean’s business built around one brilliant idea: customizable cross stitch family portraits. Over 12,000 copies sold of the Do-It-Yourself Stitch People book, featured on PBS’s Startup. Spin-off books cover farm animals, occupations, and armed forces.
Long Dog Samplers (longdogsampler.com) by Julia Line in the UK. Large, bold, intricate monochromatic sampler designs for advanced stitchers. Each pattern page includes rich historical and cultural context that makes you want to stitch it even more. Not for beginners, but deeply rewarding.
Plum Street Samplers (plumstreetsamplers.com) by Paulette Stewart. Folk art and primitive whimsical sampler designs using hand-dyed threads from Classic Colorworks, Weeks Dye Works, and Gentle Art. Carried by dozens of major retailers. The Typepad blog has a homemade charm that suits the aesthetic perfectly.
Country Cottage Needleworks (countrycottageneedleworks.com) by Nikki Leeman, daughter of Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks. Bright, friendly, cottage-style designs. The Santa’s Village and Christmas Market series are perennial favorites. If pastel color palettes are your thing, this is your designer.
Modern Folk Embroidery (modernfolkembroidery.com) creates cross stitch patterns inspired by centuries of folk embroidery tradition - Vierlande reproductions, dragon and zodiac designs, Tatreez-inspired patterns. They released a free Tatreez pattern in solidarity with Palestine. History meets activism meets craft.
Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery (thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.com) by Amanda Jennings and Ashleigh, best friends designing together since 2010. Kawaii-style, bright and cute seasonal stitch-along events. Their club model - Zodiac, Pumpkin Passport, Pen Pals - is one of the best examples of community-driven pattern design in the hobby.
Peppermint Purple (peppermintpurple.com) by Clare Ardali in Old Windsor, UK - a former investment banker with a mathematics degree, which makes perfect sense once you see her geometric blackwork and cross stitch designs. Free SALs running for 4+ consecutive years across three Facebook groups.
The gothic and alternative scene
Cross stitch has a thriving dark side, and these creators own it.
The Witchy Stitcher (thewitchystitcher.com) is Meg Black, a Canadian with a BFA who designs gothic, horror, witchy, and mental health-themed patterns. 216+ patterns on Etsy. Annual birthday freebies. A published book (Witchy Stitching). LGBTQ+ affirming. 52K Instagram followers - one of the largest individual designer accounts in cross stitch.
Night Spirit Studio (nightspiritstudio.com) is Sage Spirit and Lord Ash Spirit in Salt Lake City. Victorian mourning, memento mori, occult, and paranormal cross stitch. Their Patreon has 1,619 paying members, which tells you everything about the loyalty of their audience. Free patterns on the site. Pattern Keeper compatible.
GothStitch (gothstitch.com) by SuZy Queue, who goes by “The Elder Goth.” Releases a free pattern every 13th of the month (#FreedayThe13th) - nearly 100 free patterns since 2021. Active Discord server. A newsletter called “The Goth Stitch Gazette.” One of the most distinctive voices in the entire cross stitch world.
Innocent Bones (innocentbones.com) by Grace Isobel in Newcastle, England. “Mindful cross stitch” with a wellness and self-care framing. Runs the MOOD subscription box with bi-monthly kits. Published Enchanted Cross Stitch (34 patterns). The alternative aesthetic with a softer edge.
The FlossTube and podcast crowd
These creators do it all - blog, YouTube, podcast, sometimes simultaneously. Their blogs are the archives where the really useful stuff lives after the videos scroll by.
Hannah Hand Makes (hannahhandmakes.com) runs The Cross Stitch Podcast - 119+ episodes and the definitive audio show for cross stitchers. Her blog has a Cross Stitch Club membership, SALs like Secret Garden and Christmas SAL, and comprehensive beginner tutorials. The podcast-and-blog combo is rare in this niche and she does both well.
Stitching Jules (stitchingjulesdesign.com) maintains the “List of 500+ FlossTube Channels” - the most comprehensive directory of cross stitch YouTube channels anywhere. She’s also a pattern designer with 317+ FlossTube episodes of her own. The directory alone makes this site an essential bookmark.
Lindy Stitches (lindystitches.com) by Steph Webb. Whimsical, heartfelt patterns and also a needlework supply retailer. 23.8K YouTube subscribers. Hosts Jingle Ball events. The blog includes free patterns, WIPs, and - endearingly - recipes mixed in with the stitching content.
Two Little Kits (twolittlekits.com) by Kate in the UK. Honest, personal FlossTube videos that discuss not just stitching but ADHD, parenting, and sustainability. 115+ episodes. The blog covers cross stitch trends and personalization. Refreshingly real.
Nicole’s Needlework (nicolesneedlework.com) has been running since 2003 - one of the longest-running cross stitch blogs in existence. Traditional samplers on high-count linen with hand-dyed threads. 17.3K YouTube subscribers. Meticulous project documentation that reads like a masterclass in patience.
Hands On Design (handsondesign.biz) by Cathy Habermann. 118+ FlossTube episodes. Specialty stitch tutorials for the Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter Folk series. Patreon Ornament Club launching in 2026.
Fat Quarter Shop / Jolly Jabber (blog.fatquartershop.com) is primarily a quilting shop, but Kimberly Jolly runs Cross Stitch University tutorials, seasonal stitch recaps, and Lori Holt collaborations. 246K combined Instagram followers. Weekly FlossTube premieres on Wednesdays. The cross stitch content lives alongside quilting, which means stitchers here often discover both crafts.
Fiber Talk (wetalkfiber.com) is a twice-weekly podcast by Gary Parr, Cindy Baldwin, Beth Ellicott, and Jenifer Kopasz-Roos covering needlepoint, cross stitch, embroidery, goldwork, and blackwork. Designer interviews. They also organize “Fiber Talk Needle Arts Weekend” retreats.
Making Stitches (makingstitchespodcast.com) celebrated 10 years of blogging and 5 years of podcasting in 2025. Started as “Postcard from Gibraltar.” Designer and maker interviews. The kind of long-running, independently produced show that only exists because someone genuinely loves doing it.
The Proper Stitcher (theproperstitcher.com) combines original pattern design with finishing tutorials and a FlossTube channel. Christian and inspirational themes alongside Halloween and seasonal designs. The finishing tutorials are particularly well done.
Hailey Stitches (haileystitches.com) by Hailey in Minnesota. Beginner-friendly cross stitch and quilting content. Does a great job explaining the FlossTube community to newcomers - something most creators assume you already understand.
Reviewers and tool builders
Not every useful blog is about patterns. These focus on the tools, the software, and the materials.
Atom Heart Cross Stitch (atomheartcrossstitch.com) published one of the most thorough app comparisons in cross stitch: Pattern Keeper vs. MarkUp R-XP (November 2025). Nobody except Lord Libidan reviews cross stitch software with this level of detail. If you’re choosing between digital tools, check here.
Notorious Needle (notoriousneedle.com) covers modern cross stitch with detailed app comparisons, free patterns, and product reviews. Smaller audience but the app comparison content fills a real gap.
Stitch Palettes (stitchpalettes.com) by Krisztina is more tool than blog - a DMC thread color palette inspiration generator. New palettes posted regularly. A paid membership ($4.99/month) gets you weekly curated palettes and a photo-to-palette tool. Unique and genuinely useful for color planning.
Meloca Designs (melocadesigns.com) has one of the best Aida fabric brand comparisons online - Zweigart, Sampedro, DMC, Charles Craft, and Permin rated and compared. If you’ve ever wondered whether expensive fabric is actually worth it, start here.
Catkin and Lillie (catkinandlillie.com) goes deep on fabric - Aida vs. evenweave vs. linen, branded vs. unbranded tests, softness and hole-size comparisons. Niche content, but exactly the kind of thing you can’t find in a 60-second video.
Free patterns galore
Some blogs just give away an extraordinary amount of work. If you’re looking for free cross stitch patterns, these are the places.
Happiness is Cross Stitching (happinessiscrossstitching.com) by Lynn has been running since 2008 and is still going strong - five posts already in the first six weeks of 2026. Valentine, St. Patrick’s Day, seasonal minis, tutorials. One of the most consistently active personal cross stitch blogs anywhere.
DMC (dmc.com) - the world’s leading floss brand, founded in 1746 - offers over 1,000 free downloadable patterns, video tutorials, and technique guides. Their “25 Best Patterns of 2025” collection is a good starting point.
Lesley Teare (mentioned above) with her weekly free chart installments deserves a second mention here. Over time, you build complete samplers entirely for free.
GothStitch (mentioned above) with nearly 100 free patterns from the #FreedayThe13th series.
Subversive Cross Stitch (subversivecrossstitch.com + subversivecrossstitch.substack.com) by Julie Jackson in Dallas. The original snarky, profane cross stitch brand since 2003. Two published books. Collaborations with Urban Outfitters. 33K Substack subscribers and 51.9K on Instagram. The Substack newsletter is the most-subscribed cross stitch newsletter we could find.
The craftivism and culture corner
Cross stitch as a vehicle for something bigger.
Badass Cross Stitch (badasscrossstitch.substack.com) by Shannon Downey. “Stitching fury into action.” Author of Let’s Move the Needle. Runs #YearOfStitch (52 stitches in 52 weeks) and a $500 seed money grants program for craft activists. 162.8K Instagram followers - the largest cross stitch Instagram account we found. Zoom stitch-ups. Shannon has moved the conversation from craft to activism in a way nobody else has.
Subversive Cross Stitch (mentioned above) pioneered the entire subversive stitching movement back in 2003. Julie Jackson was making snarky cross stitch before Instagram existed.
Mr X Stitch (mentioned above) has been treating cross stitch as fine art and cultural commentary since 2008.
The international scene
Cross stitch blogs don’t stop at the English-speaking world.
Cross Stitch Corner (cross-stitch-corner.de) publishes a German-language blog and Kreuzstich Motive, Germany’s most popular cross stitch magazine. 23 charts per issue.
Casa Cenina (casacenina.com) is a major European retailer based in Italy with a multilingual blog in Italian, English, French, and Spanish. Designer interviews, charity projects, product spotlights.
BRODOUILLE (ptitesouris.over-blog.com) is a French-language blog covering cross stitch, sewing, and zero-waste lifestyle. Active through January 2026.
SODAstitch (sodastitch.com) brings Korean cross stitch patterns featuring hanbok, traditional dance, and Korean cultural designs to a global audience via PDF downloads.
Werkstatt fur Historische Stickmuster (historischestickmuster.de) reproduces historical cross stitch patterns with academic rigor. Free Advent patterns every year.
Rising voices
Newer creators and blogs that are building something interesting.
Studio Koekoek (studio-koekoek.com) in Amsterdam runs a physical studio and creates tutorials for unconventional techniques - including cross stitch on leather. Not many blogs can say that.
Sew French (sewfrenchcrossstitch.com) by Rebecca Nolen in coastal Maine. Original patterns inspired by vintage French elegance, peonies, and garden blooms. Featured in Stitch & Story Journal.
Avlea Folk Embroidery (avleafolkembroidery.com) by Krista West in Central Oregon. Mediterranean and Greek folk embroidery with specialty imported fabrics. The blog weaves in Greece travel stories alongside finishing tutorials.
Stitching Daily (stitchingdaily.com) by Rebecca publishes a weekly FlossTube directory every Sunday listing new uploads from across the entire community. A unique service that nobody else provides.
Communities and shops with great content
Not traditional blogs, but these sites publish blog-quality content and serve as gathering places.
Cross Stitch Forum (crossstitchforum.com) is one of the few remaining traditional forums in the cross stitch world. Tips, discussion, SALs, exchanges. Active daily as of February 2026.
123Stitch (123stitch.com) has been selling cross stitch supplies since 1997. 17,000+ products. The message board is an active community forum, and the free tools - Count Converter, Needle Size Calculator, DMC Color Chart - are genuinely useful.
Everything Cross Stitch (everythingcrossstitch.com) in Moraine, Ohio since 2006. Monthly stitch-along events and an active message board community alongside the shop.
Stitched Modern (stitchedmodern.com) curates patterns from designers like Satsuma Street, Frosted Pumpkin, and Tiny Modernist, and publishes instructional blog content on hoop selection, fabric identification, and fraying prevention.
CraftGossip Cross Stitch (cross-stitch.craftgossip.com) with editor Sarah White publishes daily curated content - patterns, tutorials, book reviews, product reviews. Part of the broader CraftGossip network.
Personal blogs we love
Individual stitchers sharing their work, their process, and their lives around the craft.
Priscilla’s 2000 (priscillas2000.blogspot.com) combines cross stitch with farmhouse lifestyle - gardening, home decor, thrift shopping. The Kitchen Chalk series is popular. 34.7K Instagram followers. Creative finishing and display ideas.
Know a blog we missed? We’d love to hear about it. And if you’re a cross stitch blogger who wants to share your patterns with a wider audience, Knytstudio lets you publish patterns, remix other people’s work, and build a community around your designs. It’s free to start.