Cross-Stitch to Calm: Stitch and De-Stress with 40 Simple Patterns

by Leah Lintz

Maximize the fun of needlework and minimize the stress!

Discover how relaxing and satisfying crafting can be! In Cross-Stitch to Calm you'll stitch away your stress with this simple, yet meditative craft. Only a bit of embroidery floss, a needle, and fabric are needed.
 
40 unique, yet simple cross-stitch patterns are featured, along the themes of Creatures, Nature, Symbols, and Words. Plus, author Leah Lintz has included an introductory chapter that that explains the basics of cross-stitch, as well as easy techniques for finishing and displaying your project.
 
Through beautiful imagery and easy-to-stitch shapes, Cross-Stitch to Calm will help you enjoy a new pastime while creating beautiful art for yourself and others.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2016

Reviews

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like simple designs, but these weren't for me.

The patterns are:

CREATURES
Bird on a branch | butterfly | crab | elephant | flock of birds | giraffe | hare | flamingo | cat | tree frog | shell | seahorses | stag heads

NATURE
Dandelion | bonsai | cabbage rose | calla lily | cherries | cherry blossom | snowflakes | fossil | rosebuds | pear

SYMBOLS
Anchors | Eiffel Tower | hearts (3 patterns) | guitars | ice cream | moon and stars | om | paper crane | pineapple | star | sun

WORDS
Eat | family | home | smile

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nearly didn’t pick this up, but I’m glad I did, as there are quite a few beautiful patterns in here that I’d like to try. So far I’m not much for giant blocks of one solid color work, but some of these might be worth it.

[Laurla2]

contains patterns for:

creatures: bird on a branch, butterfly, crap, elephant, flock, giraffe (head), hare, pink flamingo, pretty kitty, red-eyed tree frog, scallop shell, seahorses, stag heads.

nature: abstract dandelion, bonsai, cabbage rose, calla lily, cherries, cherry blossom, falling snowflakes, fossil, pink rosebuds, simple pear.

symbols: anchors aweigh, eiffel tower, geometric heart, guitars, hearts in a heart, ice cream cone, knotted hearts, moon and stars, om, paper crane, pineapple, striped star, sunshine.

words: eat, family, home, smile.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a really good book for beginners who still want to make pretty pieces! obviously the goal is for most of these patterns to be really relaxing to do - just one or two colors, and lots of straight lines so there's not a lot of confusion over complicated patterns. i didn't love every piece, but i was pleasantly surprised at how elegant some of the pieces were - i really liked the shells and the butterfly.

[Johannah Gage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, quick patterns

This is purely mindful stitching for fun. No big projects here! The majority use a single color (or two) of DMC floss. Finished sizes are rather large, suitable for framing. These simple motifs could be repeated in groups to step up your game. Recommended!

Version reviewed: Kindle e-book, from public library

[Jo Maselli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The patterns are very simple and don’t require a lot of thread, but they still look very nice when completed. This is an essential companion for anyone looking for projects that are modern, minimalists, and can be completed with minimal brain power while watching TV, listening to an audiobook, or enjoying a quiet cup of tea before bed.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

40 patterns in a bold, graphic style, this would be a good book for beginners. It has a good intro tutorial. Simple patterns in bold, usually in only one or two colours, under the themes Nature, Creatures, Words, and Symbols.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to start with if you are new to cross stitch. Nothing too crazy and some of the patterns are really pretty. A little plain at times but that is to be expected when it comes to a book that advertises simple patterns

[AJ Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice designs, but only one I want to try. High rating mostly for the concept - meditative cross-stitch

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attractive, simple designs.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains many patterns designed to calm rather than challenge.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely patterns, simple but elegant. many of them based in nature. i think they'd be very relaxing to stitch, too, as promised by the title. adding this one to my buy-one-day list.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good beginner book.

[Sarah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of very simple designs, might be calming but definitely good for a beginner as most of them are the same color and very simply made with very little detail.

[Lisa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! It’s going in my “to be purchased” list.

[Mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

These patterns are very simple, I was able to find a few that I really like, but only like 2 out of the 40.

[Jessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Disappointed in patterns

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice patterns, but I was disappointed that ever single one was displayed on 28 evenweave not 14 aida. 😞 It should be noted these are super super simple designs and done on 14 they would be HUGE.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very simple guide that lets the patterns speak for themselves! The fossil and seashell would go well displayed with my rock collection, and the bonsai and cherry blossoms are perfect for a Japanese touch. And what wouldn't benefit from a border or seahorses or anchors?

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute patterns with a quick tutorial in the beginning. I haven't cross-stitched in years, but I hope to try a couple of these patterns soon.

[Debbie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book! I have cross stitched since I was very young, yet I enjoyed the simplicity of the designs. The patterns all are done in one colour of floss, yet it would be simple enough for you to use your own choice of more than one colour. There are no difficult stitches in any of the patterns. I recommend any level of stitcher would enjoy this book! This will be a book that I will be using time and again.

[Syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never cross-stitched without a pre-printed design before, and I found the book very helpful for a beginner. There were a lot of good tips for getting started, such as what fabric to choose, explanations on different fabric, etc. I also really liked the different cross-stitch designs included in the book.

[Joanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some nice patterns, I wasn't sure how calm any would make me but to a person that has cross stitched for a long time, perhaps this would be the case.