Crafting has always been a passion of mine, and cross stitching has been a favourite hobby since my childhood. One of the best things about cross stitch is how it allows you to add unique touches to your home and wardrobe, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that truly stand out.
In August last year I wrote a blog post filled with 6 ways to add DIY cross stitch embroidery to your clothing, and one of those was adding a little motif to a crossbody bag.
The Round Mini Shoulder Bag quickly became Uniqlo’s best-selling bag of all time, selling out repeatedly and sparking a trend, with countless dupes appearing on the market.
Uniqlo even offers an embroidery service in their Covent Garden store, where customers could personalise certain Uniqlo items with words and images. But as a cross stitcher, you can do this yourself, and it can be any crossbody bag you already own.
Chloe from Cotton Clara wrote a useful blog post about using water soluble canvas to embroider her yellow bag (featured image). She cross stitched an adorable rose design, and it looks so cute!
Here are some adorable mini cross stitch designs you could add to your crossbody bag.
1. Pixl Stitching Cross Stitch People Pattern Creator, £16.97
If you want to stitch something truly unique onto your crossbody bag, this Cross Stitch People Pattern Creator from Pixl Stitching is a brilliant option, as it allows you to create fully personalised characters in cross stitch form.
From your hairstyle and clothing to pets, hobbies, and accessories, everything is customisable - it’s like creating your own little cartoon avatar in thread form, and the possibilities are endless.
You could stitch your family, your BFFs, or yourself, and showcase your personality or interests - imagine a tiny version of you in your favourite outfit, or you and your partner to celebrate an anniversary.
The digital download comes with easy-to-follow instructions, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned cross stitchers. The finished piece will not only be adorable but a conversation starter too.
2. Meloca Designs Mini Flower Cross Stitch Kit, £9.95
I couldn't resist including one of my own cross stitch kits, especially because this tiny, peachy-pink floral design would work so beautifully on a crossbody bag, adding a sweet and summery touch.
The kit includes all the materials you need: a tapestry needle, six DMC thread colours, and full instructions. While it comes with Aida fabric, you’ll need to swap that for a water soluble canvas when cross stitching onto your Uniqlo crossbody bag.
When you’ve finished cross stitching, just soak it in water to dissolve the canvas and reveal your beautifully embroidered design.
This flower cross stitch is part of my mini cross stitch series, designed to be quick, simple, and satisfying, even if you only have a spare afternoon to craft.
3. La Selva Design Black Cat Cross Stitch PDF Pattern, £3.71
This little black cat cross stitch pattern from La Selva Design is perfect for animal lovers, especially if you're a cat owner looking to add a little cross stitched tribute to your pet onto your crossbody bag.
The cross stitch design is clean and minimalist, while still being super cute, and it has the potential for personalisation - you could tweak the colours or markings to match your pet, or even add a tiny accessory like a collar.
The downloadable PDF includes charts, along with a DMC thread guide, and it won’t take long to cross stitch, making it a purr-fect crafternoon project for Uniqlo lovers.
4. Stitchrovia Circus Alphabet Cross Stitch Pattern, £5.40
Sometimes, all you need is a bold initial to make a crossbody bag feel completely yours.
The Circus Alphabet by Emma Congdon of Stitchrovia is one of my favourite cross stitch alphabet charts - it’s so bright and joyful. Inspired by vintage circus signage, the letters are full of colour and character, making them perfect for a playful Uniqlo crossbody bag embellishment.
You could cross stitch your initials, a short name, or even a meaningful word (space permitting). The pattern includes both colour and monochrome charts, plus floss guides for DMC and Anchor.
5. Knit Knot Crafts Robin Cross Stitch Kit, £9.40
This adorable robin from Knit Knot Crafts is a lovely seasonal option, perfect for Christmas or for year-round bird lovers. Its mini size makes it ideal for the signature Uniqlo crossbody bag, and is perfect for crafters looking to try cross stitch on accessories for the first time.
Based in Liverpool, designer Katherine creates beginner-friendly cross stitch kits with everything included - fabric, threads, needle, pattern, instructions, and even a 3-inch flexi hoop. All you’ll need to cross stitch this robin design onto your crossbody bag is a small square of soluble canvas.
If you love the style, Knit Knot Crafts has many other mini cross stitch kits in their shop - you could build a full collection!
With just a hoop, some soluble canvas, and a few hours of cross stitching time, you can embroider something completely unique that shows off your style and creativity, whether you're just dipping your toes into the world of cross stitch or you're an experienced stitcher.
If you’ve seen any adorable mini cross stitch patterns that would look amazing on the Uniqlo crossbody bag, leave me a comment below, or send a DM to Meloca Designs on Instagram - I’d love to add your favourite into this blog!
And if you’d like more cross stitch projects, advice and inspiration from me, have a browse of the Meloca Designs blog.