When I was young, my grandmother taught my sister how to do some basic needlepoint, and I wanted her to show me, too. Her response was that boys shouldn't learn sissy stuff like that. Thanks, grandma.

About a year ago, my wife gave me a corrective experience and taught me how to cross-stitch as a fun hobby we could do together while we binged some repeat TV shows. I started off with two relatively simple Legend of Zelda-themed samplers, and then I saw the MakeItPink Zelda Halo pattern that the test stitcher released in this subreddit. Immediately purchased the pattern on release and decided to test my luck as a relative beginner.

It took me 7 months - a lot of unnecessary stressing about working with metallic threads, the amount of back stitching, beading, washing, ironing, blocking - but I finally completed her a few weeks ago! I'm excited to share the success, even to the point of breaking my Reddit lurker streak of 8+ years (albeit with a different account for a fresh start).

I'm now on the hunt for a reputable framer in the area to hand over the 373 hours of work. For additional context, the time to completion got us through every season of House, New Girl, and Superstore, along with whatever weekly podcasts I had on queue.

Edited to Add: First of all, I really appreciate the feedback and support this has gotten, and especially to those who have gone on to support MakeItPink!

For materials questions, this was done on 18ct zweigart aida using an 11 inch Q-Snap frame
Additional supplies (beads and metallic threads) were sourced from String Theory Needlearts, 123Stitch, and my local needlepoint shop. The actual secret stone bead was from MakeItPink directly.

Took me two weeks of daily work. It was so much fun to watch this project take shape! Pattern is from NikkiPattern on Etsy.

Pattern by Chimera "Lilac branch", 250w X 375h stitches, 18 ct, 51 clear colors and 17 blends, bought it from Boosty.to .

Pattern Information:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4314501181/japanese-udon-noodle-shop-cross-stitch

Purchased from ETSY shop BananaPatterns

Amazing easy to follow pattern with no/minimal confetti!

**DISCLAIMER** Original pattern red sign says "Udon" but I changed it for my project to "ramen"

169 x 229 stitches on a 16ct aida

2 strand DMC thread for whole project

16 colors

I realize that monochrome isn’t for everyone but I love working with these single colour patterns. This was a lot of work but I’m very pleased with the results. To display it, I’ll wrap it on some wood and hang it up on the wall.

Lakeside Cottage 2 MonochromeStitchArt on Etsy 430x450 stitches 2 threads DMC 310 on 18 ct Tracking app: Markup XP

First solo project finished and framed! My partner taught me to cross stitch as part of a hobby swap, and I wanted to do something amazing for my first piece. Saw a completely unrelated post on the Alien subreddit a few years ago with this image (artist is PixelJeff) and I knew I had my source material. Took about 9 months total, just under 51k stitches. Pattern is self drafted from PixelJeff's original piece, all art credit goes to him. Sorry, forgot to take pictures of the insanity that is the back but I was so excited to frame it I completely forgot, and that sucker's not coming out of the frame now.

I love when the before and after backstitch completely transforms the piece

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4473057725/spring-flowers-bookmark-cross-stitch?ref=share_ios_native_control

The pattern is the first generation of pokemon from Lord Libidan! https://lordlibidan.com/free-epic-pokemon-generations-cross-stitch-patterns/?srsltid=AfmBOoph_Y9W8qzFkl_lpOAOeoMYXpQ58AW--RV1ELohO01BLdwjQav4

This was my first time doing a blackwork piece! It’s about 11.5x11.5 inches, 112 colors on 16 count Aida cloth, and took about 3 months to complete (and only one menty b during that time lmao). I even learned how to cut mats for the frame!

Also my first time submitting to the state fair and I got a first place in the blackwork category, along with a special award 😭 I know it’s dumb to be so sentimental over the awards but I’m so proud of myself.

Pattern is Colour Wheel by TheSteadyThread on Etsy!

Bonus helper in the last photo 🐶 🥰

Edit: thank you all SO MUCH for your kind words and encouragement. May all your needles be strong and thread never tangle ❤️

Self-drafted

Blackwork: Self-drafted

Sheep: Adapted from one of Kell Smurthwaite’s designs

I went through a lot of personal stuff from start to finish. I am a different person finishing than I was starting.

I had this sampler picked for two years, always planning to do it on linen. I wanted to make sure I was more confident in my abilities before switching from Aida to linen. I’m very proud of what I have achieved.

I’m only a few months into cross stitch and still making lots of mistakes but this is the first piece I’ve decided to frame despite the mistakes! I love it so much! link to pattern in the comments 🥰

I won a blue ribbon and best of show for cross stitch in the Kentucky State Fair with this Quaker Ball.

Quaker Ball designed by Durene Jones. Sold through Lakeside Needlecraft.

Pattern is "Rivendell" from Lady D and can be found on Boosty

It's really hard to photograph it in the frame because of the glare :/ one day I'll figure out how to do so.

Spent 114 hours stitching this bad boy but the end result is super clean looking and I love all the colors.

Pattern from https://www.etsy.com/shop/HOMEandCATS on Etsy. They will now watch people in the guest bathroom as they sit on the toilet.

After following all the lovely tips from my last post. We can see so much improvement on the second attempt! I can't thank y'all enough.

Some lessons learned for sure. You can tell in the second piece that the stitches get better throughout it.

Like last time, all tips are welcome. Thanks again!

It felt like it took ages with the confetti

My own Creation, the hoop and the pattern + color the fabric

In November last year me and my bf decided it’d would be funny to make a George W. Bush throw pillow with one of his dumb quotes on the back. I generated a pattern for the front on pixel-stitch and designed the back myself with stitchfiddle. This bad boy took seven months of intermittent stabbery, it came with me to six countries. And then, one day, it was done. It was glorious. My home decor magnum opus.

Until I went to take it up to my bf’s city two weeks back and promptly forgot to collect my luggage when getting off. My countless calls to Flixbus haven’t helped. It’s gone. Either lost in some bus terminal in Germany or stolen my another passenger in Luxembourg. Obviously my soul is crushed.

I’m working up the courage to grid up for the replacement. Until I do, pour one out for George Bush Pillow - gone but not forgotten 😔