Like everyone else in 2024, I spend a little bit too much time on my phone, but scrolling through Instagram doesn't have to be an unproductive time vacuum - there’s so much creative inspiration to be found on social media.
Instagram can be a great place to share your creations, find new cross stitch artists, and get loads of ideas for your next cross stitch projects.
Here are a few of my favourite inspirational cross stitchers to follow on Instagram.
1. Durene Jones for traditional cross stitch and free patterns
@durenejonescrossstitch
etsy.com/durenejcrossstitch
Durene is based in the UK and has been a cross stitch artist for about 15 years. Her designs are quite traditional, colourful and cute, and she’s pretty active on social media.
She’s so giving, and has created such a nice cross stitching community - Durene holds a “Freebie Friday” over on her Facebook Page, where she gives away free cross stitch charts and patterns.
Durene also designs for practically all the cross stitch magazines, like The World of Cross Stitching and Cross Stitcher, as well as selling on Etsy and having her own cross stitch books like Floral Dreams, which is full of beautiful motifs.
2. Stitch People for cute customisable cross stitch characters
@stitchpeople
stitchpeople.com
Lizzy is the creator of Stitch People, and is based in the USA. The product that Stitch People are most known for is their customisable cross stitch designs, that allow you to make your own cross stitched people and pets.
On the Stitch People Instagram you’ll find lots of positive posts and fun cross stitch projects, as well as sharing other stitchers' Stitch People creations.
Lizzy is pretty big on social media, and holds online events and stitch-a-longs to get people involved in the cross stitch community.
3. Barbara Ana for colourful, folky cross stitch designs
Barbara Ana is a cross stitch designer based in Spain. Her posts are less chatty than some of the other artists I follow on Instagram, but her designs are so unique and interesting to look at.
Her bright, colourful, modern folk cross stitch designs feature lots of interesting characters with long hair and fantastical headdresses, and creatures with intricately patterned dresses in beautiful colours.
Some of Barbara Ana’s wonderful designs are available online, such as this Matryoshka doll pattern sold in the Nitka online store.
4. Emma Louise Art Stitch for coastal cross stitch landscapes
@emmalouiseartstitch
emmalouiseartstitch.co.uk
Emma is a UK cross stitch artist living minutes away from the sea in Cornwall, and she creates contemporary cross stitch designs inspired by Cornish life.
She has a studio shop in St Austell selling cross stitch kits inspired by the coast - think seaside towns with cute Cornish houses and colourful fishing boats, sea creatures, and quotes.
Emma also sells needle minders, hoops, and other cross stitch accessories, alongside colouring books based on her designs.
At her studio shop, she holds an event every couple of weeks called Saturday Stitch Session, where cross stitchers can gather together to work on their projects, socialise and get some guidance from an expert.
It’s open to all levels of ability, and costs just £5 - a bargain when you consider that attendees get refreshments and 15% off everything in the shop.
5. Pigeon Coop Designs for nature-inspired cross stitch
@pigeoncoopdesigns
pigeoncoopdesigns.com
Pigeon Coop Designs (otherwise known as Max) is based in Québec, Canada. He loves designing cross stitch patterns to share his deep love and admiration for the natural world.
Max designs gorgeous cross stitch landscapes and other nature-inspired cross stitch designs featuring woodland creatures, all inspired by the forest near his home.
He shares all these beautiful designs on Instagram, as well as posting funny reels, helpful tips, and cross stitch tutorials too.
Max also has a book coming out summer 2024 called Cross Stitch in the Forest, which looks so lovely and is available to pre-order now.
6. Innocent Bones for alt cross stitch
@_innocentbones
innocentbones.com
Grace runs Innocent Bones Cross Stitch from Newcastle, and sells all kinds of alt cross stitch kits, like tarot cards and edgy phrases, and other witchy things.
She’s really fun to watch on Instagram Stories, and she posts great reels and behind the scenes content, as well as loads of gorgeous photos of her brilliant cross stitch creations.
Grace opened a physical studio shop last year too, which is open to the public a couple of times a week and sells cross stitch kits and accessories, as well as other gifts and stationery items.
If you can’t get to her Newcastle shop, she also sells via the Innocent Bones online shop, including her cross stitch subscription box called Mood.
7. Cosy Craft Club for subscription craft kits
This isn’t strictly a cross stitch Instagram account, but Rachel does include some cross stitch in amongst all the other millions of crafts she shares.
Cosy Craft Club is a subscription service which provides you with a new craft kit each month. She does loads of different crafts, so if someone is into trying new crafts then it's the perfect subscription.
I've actually met Rachel a few times in real life at craft shows, and she’s just as lovely to watch on her Instagram Reels and Stories - she shares lots of helpful crafting tips and tricks, as well as whatever she’s working on.
And of course, don’t forget to follow Meloca Designs on Instagram, where I share updates and sneak peeks.
Who are your favourite cross stitch artists to follow on Instagram? Let me know if I’ve missed out anyone amazing!