Hopefully this is the right place to ask this, sorry if not:

I am a digital artist who also recently got back into cross stitch after a long hiatus. I used to cross stitch a ton with my mom when I was younger, so when I started messing around with pixel art I thought it would be a fun idea to blend an old hobby with a new one and start making patterns that I could stitch eventually. I also started posting them on my Etsy store, where I was already posting other types of digital products with my art- I find that having somewhere to put my artwork encourages me to not abandon unfinished pieces. I have been having a ton of fun, and I am hoping to get back into physically stitching once my personal life calms down a bit; at the moment all I can really access is my computer and my brain with old stitching knowledge lol.

Etsy made a new rule where craft patterns have to include a completed example of the piece. As a crafter I think this is a great step since Etsy is flooded with AI patterns that are not realistic or fun to create. But as a pattern maker, I'm not really sure how to move forward. My current process is to draw the art in an art program, then manually rechart it in pattern making software and audit it for any confetti and other oddities. I also make sure the colors look nice in real life by either using floss I have around the house or an online resource called stitch palettes that more accurately displays colors and creates free to palettes that show which colors work well together for certain effects. Then I edit my mockups together by hand to make sure the stitcher can get an accurate glimpse at what the finished piece will look like. I use no AI in my process and I feel I am quite clear that the piece in the photo is a mockup. I also make sure the pattern itself is shown in as much detail as I can so stitchers know what they will get.

I was already planning on stitching my smaller designs when I had the time, but I am wondering what creators who make larger designs are planning on doing? I was in the middle of creating my first full coverage design when the rules were changed. I wanted to have it completed before Christmas so folks could get started on a fun Christmas design. But if I were to stitch it myself or enlist a test stitcher, then it realistically would be done by next Christmas if I worked fast, as its going to be a pretty big project haha.

So my question is, to anyone creating and posting large patterns on Etsy, how are you handling this rule change?

TLDR; How are pattern makers who list on Etsy handling the new rules for their larger projects?

This is my first Mill Hill kit, and I’m confused! The thread is not labeled, so I have no way of knowing what is called based on the chart. Any suggestions?

Hello all, I have a question ( I tried looking it up first but didn’t find anything useful) I recently purchased black Aida cloth Zweigart 14 count and the package says to wash it in warm water and mild liquid soap. My question is will having really hard water affect it? Like leave water spots on it? Should I use distilled water? Thanks

Hello all, I have a question ( I tried looking it up first but didn’t find anything useful) I recently purchased black Aida cloth Zweigart 14 count and the package says to wash it in warm water and mild liquid soap. My question is will having really hard water affect it? Like leave water spots on it? Should I use distilled water? Thanks

Does anyone know of any Etsy cross-stitch shops that have an entire shop sale going on? 👀

I’m looking to stock up on patterns, but I specifically want non-AI patterns designed by actual artists! I’d love to support real artists while finding some cute new projects to stitch.

If you know of any shops having a sale on their entire pattern collection, please drop the shop name and/or link in the comments! Bonus points for cute, colorful designs, but I’m open to all styles! 🥹💖