If cross stitch has been your hobby for a long time like me, chances are you have some friends who are into it too, so why not stitch something to gift your best friend on Galentine’s Day?
Galentine's Day falls on the 13th of February, and celebrates women's friendship. It’s a day born out of rebel spirit, intended as a rejection of the conventions of Valentine's Day.
It’s always a lovely thing to show your friends how much you love and appreciate them, no matter what day it is, but it is fun to have an excuse to celebrate your friendship too.
Here are 5 things to cross stitch for your friend for Galentine’s Day.
1. Bestie 4 Life Cross Stitch Pattern from DMC, free
Cement your forever friendship with this super cute pink heart cross stitch pattern, with the words “bestie 4 life” in the centre.
You can download the pattern for free, or if you want to add the DMC embroidery threads on, it comes to £5.80 - although I’d bet that most cross stitchers will have suitable red and pink embroidery threads in their stash already.
Once you’ve finished the cute heart-shaped cross stitch design, you could even make it into a cushion, or get matching jumpers and cross stitch it directly onto the fabric for matching bestie outfits.
Check out my blog post 6 fun ways to add DIY cross stitch embroidery to your clothing for tips for cross stitching directly onto items from your wardrobe.
2. Best F***ing Friends Forever Cross Stitch Pattern from Plastic Little Covers, £3
If you and your bestie are self-confessed potty mouths, sweary cross stitched pieces might be your thing. This “Best F***ing Friends Forever” downloadable cross stitch pattern designed by Lauren of Plastic Little Covers would make the perfect gift.
This cross stitch pattern mixes traditional vintage floral designs with something that you’d never see back in the day - rude words. What a silly and brilliant way to show your friend some love.
3. Love Yourself Cross Stitch Pattern from Pindependent Crafts, £4.20
I think we could all do with a reminder to love ourselves more, so what better gift for your friend on Galentine’s Day than this “Love Yourself” downloadable cross stitch pattern designed by Georgia at Pindependent Crafts.
It’s a really cute design which would look really lovely in a matching pink hoop hung on a wall, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced cross stitchers.
Why not cross stitch two of the same in different coloured embroidery threads, so that you can both have one to adorn your walls as an everyday positive affirmation.
4. Melocharacters Cross Stitch Kit by Meloca Designs, £31.95
One of my first ever cross stitch kits was a custom character design, which was completely personalised to allow people to cross stitch a version of themselves and their loved ones.
This then evolved into our Melocharacters series, which include a range of human and pet body templates that people can easily customise themselves to recreate themselves and their loved ones – there’s even a wedding edition!
Why not cross stitch yourself and your bestie as a Galentine’s gift? This kit comes with everything you need to complete this cross stitch design, from fabric, threads and a hoop, to instructions for how to customise the characters.
Just make sure you select the right coloured embroidery threads for the skin, hair and outfits of your Melocharacters - check out my favourite embroidery threads here.
5. Cross stitch their favourite thing
Alternatively, you could cross stitch your friend something unrelated to Galentine’s Day, like their favourite animal, or something else that they are utterly obsessed with.
There’s a cross stitch design for pretty much everything these days, from food, to flowers, to furry friends.
This Mini Animals Cross Stitch Pattern from Author Embroide Design comes with 15 different cute animal designs, including a cat, a fox and an orca. They’re quick and easy to complete due to their size, so if you’re feeling extra generous, you could give your friend two or three!
My recent blog post, 4 handy tips for choosing what to cross stitch as a gift for a friend, might be a good one to read next if you’re thinking of giving a stitchy Galentine’s gift.
And if you’d like more ideas for cross stitch presents, head to the Meloca Designs blog, where you’ll find articles such as Christmas gift guide 2024: 8 gift ideas for cross stitchers, and 7 super cute & useful stocking fillers that crafters will love to get.