I’ve been cross stitching since I was a child, not just because it’s fun and super satisfying to produce artwork, but also because it’s a really mindful activity too, perfect for a slow afternoon or a quiet weekend.
Winter often throws us rainy days in England (summer does too, if we’re honest), so if you’re staying cosy on the sofa this weekend, these weather-themed cross stitch kits and patterns are great for keeping your hands busy.
1. Weather Chart Cross Stitch Pattern by The Stitch Patterns, £2.02 (currently in the 60% off sale)
This cute weather chart has lovely pictures of different types of weather with the corresponding words underneath - I can really picture it in a primary school classroom or a child's bedroom.
What makes it extra cute is that the clouds, sun and rainbows all have smiley faces.
This cross stitch pattern is a downloadable PDF, and includes patterns in colour symbols with floss legend, a list of DMC thread colours and lengths needed.
2. Whatever the Weather Cross Stitch Kit from Sew Sophie Crafts, from £13.45
I love this super pretty weather cross stitch kit, picturing a cloud, sun, rainbow, lightning bolt and multicoloured hearts, as well as the words “whatever the weather”.
Inside this cross stitch kit by Sew Sophie Crafts, you get white 14ct aida fabric, cross stitch needle, DMC threads, a pattern and guide, and you also have the option to add on a 6" wooden embroidery hoop, if you don’t already have a spare one in your cross stitch stash.
3. Cloud Cross Stitch Pattern from Lilly Leigh Shop, £5.52
Have you ever seen a happier cloud? This adorable pale blue fluffy cloud has the cutest little smiley face - if they looked like this in real life, I wouldn’t mind the gloomy days so much.
This cross stitch pattern is a digital download, so you need to have all the threads, fabric and embroidery hoop already.
The PDF includes the patterns (including one compatible with Pattern Keeper - a great way to keep your cross stitch patterns organised), and a guide listing the DMC embroidery threads you’ll need.
4. Perfect Weather for Frogs Cross Stitch Pattern by Glitch Stitch AU, £5.82 (currently in the 30% off sale)
Not only are frogs adorable, frogging is a cross stitching term - check out my 5 controversial opinions about cross stitching to learn what it means.
This cross stitch pattern has a super cute frog underneath a yellow umbrella as it’s raining. It’s a really cool design showing beautiful depth with shadows and reflections, which is designed by pixel artist Holly Gregorio (also known as Arcane Pigeon).
Glitch Stitch AU is based in Toowoomba in Australia, but you don’t need to worry about long and expensive shipping, because this cross stitch pattern is a downloadable PDF, with instructions, colour legend and FAQs.
5. Meloca Designs Mandala Tree Cross Stitch Kit, from £31.95
Our lovely colourful tree cross stitch has windy spring vibes, and is designed in our signature mandala style, so it has lots of fun patterns and vibrant colours, like the blue, purple and orange leaves.
In the Meloca Designs cross stitch kits you get instructions, a colour chart and key, DMC embroidery thread (my favourite threads), fabric and needle, and there’s an option to add a 7-inch embroidery hoop and a needle minder to hold your needle.
This cross stitch kit is suitable for all stitching abilities, including beginners, and PDF charts are available on request, which are compatible with Pattern Keeper.
6. No Thanks Cross Stitch Pattern by Plastic Little Covers, £4.68
Lauren of Plastic Little Covers designed this cross stitch pattern with bold and colourful celestial motifs alongside modern typography reading “no thanks”. I love how blunt and to-the-point it is, while the sun and moon are so cheerful - it’s a great contrast.
The weather-themed cross stitch pattern was designed with Anchor threads, but DMC conversions are provided in the PDF download, as well as pattern charts.
7. Customisable Rainbow Temperature Galaxy Cross Stitch Pattern by Climbing Goat Designs, £13.20
This is a really cool and unusual idea - by using this Climbing Goat Designs pattern, you can stitch a design based on the maximum daily temperatures in your part of the world, throughout a year.
The downloadable pattern booklet contains charts and comprehensive instructions to cross stitch this piece, clearly explaining how to adapt the temperature colour ranges to almost anywhere in the world, using either Fahrenheit or Celsius scales. Alphabets are also included so that you can personalise your cross stitch to a different year and location.
If this particular design doesn’t do it for you, there are other temperature cross stitch patterns in the Climbing Goat Designs shop.
Due to the more complicated design this pattern is suitable for people with experience of cross stitch, and you’ll need your own fabric, thread and other cross stitch materials.
8. Pulp Stitchin’ Rainbow Rain Cross Stitch Kit, from £16
In contrast to the temperature galaxy, this is a super simple design of a cross stitched cloud with multi coloured rain drops, made and produced by Kayley from Pulp Stitchin’ in Aberdeen.
The cross stitch kit includes aida fabric, threads, a needle, a 4 inch UK-made embroidery hoop, backing felt, pattern and instructions on how to complete your kit, but you can upgrade to colourful printed aida fabric for an extra £1.50.
9. Happy Sunshine Cross Stitch Pattern by Stitchrovia, £5.10
I thought we’d end with a super cheery one - this bright and bold sun cross stitch pattern is designed by UK designer and author Emma Congdon, who also runs the Stitchrovia Etsy shop.
You can have sunshine even on the gloomiest winter’s day with this cross stitch kit, which is made with 8 thread colours and is perfect for all skill levels.
This is a downloadable PDF pattern, and you get a colour chart with a legend for DMC and Anchor floss with stitch count included, as well as fabric recommendations, but you’ll need to have or source all cross stitch materials needed.
Hopefully there’s a cross stitch pattern or kit in my list that suits your style, but if you’d like to try a different mindful craft, take a look at my recent blog 5 fun diamond painting projects for a cosy Saturday crafternoon.
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