Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
The Products I Actually Use: Cross Stitch Essentials
32
items The cross stitch supplies that have earned a permanent place in my stitching setup. Hoops, needles, needle minders, organization, tools and all the little extras I’ve actually used enough to have Opinions™ about. No filler—just tried-and-true favorit...
Sections
4
Needle minders
Hoops
Must haves
Favorite patterns
Needle minders
Do I need this many needle minders? No. Do I enjoy matching them to my project, the season or whatever vibe I’ve got going on? Absolutely. 😂 These are some of my favorites: cute, functional and very good at keeping needles out of places needles shou...
One of my absolute favorite needle minders. It’s made of wood, so it’s lightweight without feeling flimsy, and the magnet is the Goldilocks of needle-minder magnets: strong enough to keep my needle secure without being annoyingly difficult to pull ap...
Rainbow Cat Magnetic Needle Minder: Cross Stitch Sewing Gift
There are cats in all kinds of adorable fall and Halloween scenarios, but obviously my favorite is the cat butt sticking out of a pumpkin. 😂 That’s the one I own, because of course it is. These wooden minders are lightweight, beautifully made and ha...
Wooden Halloween Cats - Needle Minders - Pins - Fridge Magnets - Cat Lover Gifts
I love the wooden construction of these—it keeps them nice and lightweight on my fabric—and the magnet is exactly the right strength. This little Christmas cat is one of my favorites for holiday stitching because LOOK AT HIM. He’s in a stocking. 🥹
Christmas Wooden Magnetic Needle Minder: Cross Stitch Embroidery
Hoops
I rarely stitch in a traditional round hoop anymore unless it’s a quick project I plan to finish in the hoop. I’ve found that square frames give me more usable stitching space without adding a ton of extra size or weight. Nurge hoops are my everyday ...
My most-used hoop and probably my favorite size. Nurge hoops are lightweight, comfortable in my hand and hold fabric tension better than any hoop I’ve used. I’m not constantly stopping to tug and readjust my fabric while I stitch, and the square shap...
Nurge Blue Small No:2 Plastic Embroidery Hoop
Once I fell in love with my first Nurge, I wanted ALL THE SIZES. 😂 This set gives me options for projects of different dimensions, and they fit perfectly in my Nurge stand. Bonus game changer: flip the hoop so you’re “stitching in the ditch” and you...
Nurge Lilac 4 Pcs Plastic Square Embroidery Hoops
The customization is what makes Q-Snaps so useful. You can mix pieces from different sizes to create a frame that fits your project—I’ve combined long sides with much shorter ones for a panoramic piece. They hold tension well, are easy to tighten if ...
Q-Snap Needlework Frame Bundle 11x11,8x8,6x6
Must haves
I got this for Christmas this year and it's one of my favorite gifts I've ever received. Total game changer.
Nurge Adjustable Embroidery Hoop Stand, Wood
Thread Magic is a must have, especially if you work with metallic thread.
Sewing Quilting Notions - Thread Magic
I use these to sort my ongoing projects. They're perfect.
EOOUT 30pcs Mesh Zipper Pouch Bags, 8 Sizes & Colors
If there's one tool that's changed my cross stitching for the better, it's Markup R-XP. It's so easy to track my stitches, especially when it comes to more complicated projects.
Markup R-XP
I can only speak for MacStitch, but this is the best cross stitch designing software I've used. If you want to create your own designs, it's worth every penny.
MacStitch/WinStitch
I made the mistake of starting with plastic bobbins and they're terrible. The ends rarely stay tucked, making a mess inside my project bags. I'm so much happier with the cardboard ones.
DMC Cardboard Floss Bobbins, 56/Pkg
Favorite patterns
Some of my favorite patterns, including a few designed by yours truly.
My year-long temperature cross stitch project. Love the pattern, but I used a different color palette.
Cat Temperature Chart, Cross stitch
I think this one speaks for itself.
This Too Shall Pass But Like Holy F*ck - Cross Stitch Pattern - PDF ONLY
A Christmas present for my mom!
Winter Woodland Owl – Cozy Cross Stitch Pattern PDF – Digital Download
Excellent pattern from a designer with a lot of great collages.
Mini Cat Garden Cross Stitch Pattern, Kitty Embroidery (PDF Chart)
Entirely obsessed with this cat alphabet.
Cat alphabet cross stitch font, Cross stitch letters, Backstitch alphabet
I still need to stitch this one, but it's so dang cute.
Sorry, I Can't Go I'm An Indoor Cat Introvert Cross Stitch Pattern - Cat Lovers Club - Cute Cat Gifts - Cat Cross Stitch - Introverts Unite
A gift for a friend. Great pattern. Easy to follow.
Mini Cross Stitch Pattern. Bee Happy, Love, Valentine (PDF Download)
I still need to stitch this one, but I love this designer's illustrations.
Purple Heart Sweater Cat Cross Stitch Pattern (PDF Pattern)
A seasonal favorite from one of my favorite Etsy shops.
Christmas Wreath Cat Cross Stitch Pattern: Holiday Craft, Decoration
Designed by yours truly.
Men Will Let You Down, The Eras Tour Never Will – Taylor Swift Quote – Eras Tour – Instant PDF Download – Cross Stitch Pattern
Designed by yours truly. Seasonal with a little sparkle.
In My Heart is a Christmas Tree Farm – Taylor Swift Holiday Lyric – Eras Tour – Instant PDF Download – Modern Mini Cross Stitch Pattern
Designed by yours truly.
Tis the Damn Season – Taylor Swift evermore Inspired – Eras Tour Christmas Trees – Instant PDF Download – Mini Modern Cross Stitch Pattern
Designed by yours truly. I think this one speaks for itself.
A Lot of Female Rage Going On at the Moment Cross Stitch Pattern – Feminist PDF Pattern – Concert Shirt Style, Anti-Patriarchy Design
Designed by yours truly.
I Will Not Yield to Disrespectful Men – Sassy Feminist Digital Cross Stitch Pattern – Instant PDF Download – 2 Versions
My pride and joy. Designed by yours truly. A lot of blood, sweat and *literal* tears went into this pattern.
Eras Tour Cross Stitch Pattern – Surprise Songs Tracker – Taylor Swift Acoustic Set – Instant PDF Download
Designed by yours truly.
Your Energy is Expensive Cross Stitch Pattern – Taylor Swift Quote – Instant PDF Download – Mini Modern Cross Stitch Pattern
Designed by yours truly. One of my favorite Taylor lyrics.
To Live for the Hope of It All Cross Stitch Pattern – Taylor Swift folklore August Lyric – Instant PDF Download – Mini Modern Cross Stitch
This pattern also available in my KoFi shop!
Eras Tour Cross Stitch Pattern -- Surprise Song Tracker
Designed by yours truly!
Fuck Shit Up, Fuck It Up Cross Stitch Pattern
*chefs kiss*
Men Will Let You Down, The Eras Tour Never Will – Instant PDF Download – Cross Stitch Pattern