Candlewicking is a traditional embroidery style. The patterns for Candlewicking may also be adapted for painted and beaded designs. In traditional applications, the designs were stitched with an ecru floss on unbleached muslin, but you can choose any color fabric or floss, especially if you can't find traditional candlewicking thread.

The free Candlewicking Ornament Two will make a great small ornament or you can enlarge it and stitch a pillow with the motif. Adapt the patterns for any project you can dream up.

More Free Candlewicking Patterns:

• Candlewicking Ornament One
• Candlewicking Star Ornament
• Gift Box Candlewicking pattern
• Christmas Tree Ornament pattern
• Candlewicking Alphabet Pattern

Stay up-to-date with when new patterns are added to About.com Cross Stitch. Subscribe to the FREE newsletter today.

From Donna in the Forum - regarding the Stitchathon:
"Well, the votes have been tallied and it has been decided that the Stitchathon will take place on Saturday, November 21st. I'm attaching an official start time of 9AM to 9PM. Of course this means that everyone will still be stitching at different times, depending on where you live. But there should be enough overlap so that at some point we are all stitching together.... So mark your calendars, get your needles ready and tell your spouse he'll have to cook YOU dinner on that day! -Donna"

We are also meeting in the forum on Tuesday nights for our Stitchalong. The hours are 6:30 to 12midnight EST, but whenever you can drop in, do!

Here's how it works. You post a before photo of the project they are working on. You can either do this directly in the forum or link to a photo storage site of your choice. (Just make sure it is one we can all view.) If you can stitch most of the time, that is great, but if you can only stitch for a few hours, that is fine too. When you are done stitching, post an after photo. We will be there to cheer one another on, and so forth.

During the Stitchathon, it would be great if you want to post hourly photos - Before, During, and After photos in other words. So, if you have a WIP that threatens to turn into a UFO, get it out and join in!

Looking for a quick weekend project? Need a break from that wall-to-wall project you are working on? The Holiday Ornament Collection includes ornaments that are whole cross stitch and others that contain a few specialty stitches. Depending on your stitching level and speed, you should be able to complete one or more of the ornaments in a weekend.

I stitched the Simple Joy Ornament in a few hours. I used a Threadworx floss, DMC Light Effects Floss, and Charles Craft Aida fabric for my project. You may use any type and color of floss and fabric you like to create your ornaments. Try something new or stick with something tried and true. But whatever you do, STITCH!

More Charts Suitable for Ornaments:

• Silent Night pattern
• O Christmas Tree motif
• Easy Noel design
• Not a Creature was Stirring chart
• Happy Hanukkah motif

The holidays always seem to sneak up on me. I write about them, so really there's no excuse, but somehow there's not a transfer from my blog to my real life until about two weeks after I should really be thinking about making my own holiday decorations!

This holiday season, several of the crafty Guides and a few other crafters are cooperating on weekly posts that will share some of our great ideas and projects with you. I know many of you are multi-crafters like me, so I jumped at the opportunity to participate. If you are interested in participating, find the contact information at the end of this post. The more the Merrier!


Clothes Pin Holiday Card Holders
What to do with all those holiday cards? Hold them up with clothes pins as dazzling as twinkling lights with this how-to from Kate Pullen.

Make a Gingerbread House
Ever want to create the perfect gingerbread house? Okay, I have yet to master this skill..but you can! Our Barbara Rolek will show you how.

How to Draw a Christmas Tree
Here is one that will come in handy for all those handmade cards. Master sketch artist Helen South will show you how to draw the perfect tree from start to finish.

Paint a Glass Ornament
Turn a plain glass ball into a work of stained glass art. Our Guide to Painting will show you how to create this delicate trimming.

Silent Night Cross Stitch Pattern
Don't just get cozy, get your stitch on. Create a Silent Night design with this free pattern from Connie G. Barwick.

Stitch a Pear Trio
Hang up something special in your home for that Thanksgiving gathering. This free 'Pear Trio' needlepoint pattern from Cheryl Fall is just what your walls needed.

Easy Christmas Ornaments
Start a tradition for the kids to make new ornaments each year. Sherri Osborne has the shape patterns and project ideas for these ornaments that reflect Christmas traditions.

Print Thanksgiving Placecards
Add some warmth to your table with these Thanksgiving place cards that will have your guests saying 'awwwww'. Barbara Crews has the free printable for you to personalize.

Wine Bottle Wrap Pattern
Instead of giving a bottle of wine in one of those skinny bags, make a felt wrap that the bottle can be displayed in all season. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how.

Make a Miniature Christmas Tree
Why are tiny things always so darn cute? Learn how to make a little pine tree with Lesley Shepherd.

Interchangeable Thanksgiving Pins
Sometimes you just can't commit to just one pin. With this interchangeable Thanksgiving pin by Tammy Powley, you can tell everyone when you're ready for pie...and when you're overstuffed.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Stephanie Hryshchyshyn sent in this photo of her Chuck Norris on a Total Gym project. Not only is it an impressive project, but it is her first Cross Stitch project. I keep thinking of those "Chuck Norris is so tough" jokes and relating them to stitching. "Chuck Norris is so tough he stitches with the power of his mind instead of tapestry needles." Learn more.



Cross Stitch Photo Albums
Submit a Photo

I never seem to keep my posts completely wordless, but here are more blogs posts featuring photos on Wordless Wednesday at About.com.

_{Follow About.com Cross Stitch on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.}

The Needle Show Retail, November 5-8, 2009, is new venture brought to you by the same team that organizes the Online Needlework Show. There will be many different booths in the show, some simply for advertising, but also some in which you will be able to do more than just browse, but also order items.

This is the first show of this type, so things are still in process. Check the Needle Show Retail homepage for more information.

For those of us who don't have a local needlecraft shop (LNS) this is a great opportunity to browse through and purchase items from a variety of vendors.

More information:

• The Needle Show Retail
• Exhibitor List
• Customer Info Form

The winter holiday season is almost here. Do you have some interesting projects in the works or completed? Use the comments section below to share with us or post in the About.com Cross Stitch Forum. What is your stitching status? Vote in the Poll and let us know.

If you are looking for some holiday stitching inspiration, here are some patterns and projects.

Holiday Patterns and Project Ideas:

Easy Christmas Cross Stitch Patterns
Various Christmas Cross Stitch Patterns
Cross Stitch Projects
Kwanzaa Design
Happy Hanukkah Pattern

The free Candlewicking Ornament pattern was inspired by antique glass ornaments. Use a single color to stitch the design as shown here, or choose multi-color floss for a more vibrant motif. I love the old-style glass ornaments. My mom has some that have been around for so long that I am afraid to touch them for fear they will break.

If you have never tried Candlewicking, but you are interested in trying this traditional embroidery style, read Candlewicking basics to learn what you need to get started.

More Free Candlewicking Patterns:

• Square Ornament One
• Square Ornament Two
• Square Ornament Three

In response to a recent blog post about right and wrong sides of fabric, Pat from Cross-Stitch-Art.com posted this great tip.

She writes, "Fabrics do definitely have a wrong and a right side. Here's how to tell: Take the upper left corner in your left hand and the lower bottom right corner in your right hand and gently pull. The upper right corner will curl toward the right side of the fabric. It will work every time."

Thanks Pat! One thing I love about this site is that stitchers are so wonderful about sharing tips and knowledge with others.If you have a question about Cross Stitch, fabric, needles, or any other topic related to needlework, there are several ways to get answers. You may email me directly at crossstitch.guide@about.com with your queries. If your question stumps me, I will research it or post it here for help from others.

OR, you can post your question in the About.com Cross Stitch Forum. The members there are so knowledgeable and love to help. So, post or send in those burning questions today!

Crowns are significant symbols for several different reasons and occasions.

• Christians use the crown to signify the heavenly reward they will receive after the suffering here on earth.
• The Crown is often used as a symbol in Mardi Gras celebrations.
• Crowns symbolize royalty, sovereignty, and power.
• The Claddagh, a crown above two hands clasping a heart, is a Gaelic symbol of lasting love, eternal friendship, and loyalty.

I adapted the free Jeweled Crown pattern from a graphic design by Sue Chastain, About.com Guide to Graphics Software with her permission, of course. The design is presented in two formats - the first is a silhouette and the second, a colorful version. You may stitch the silhouette in the color of your choice. Purple might be good - it is another symbol of royalty after all. The colorful version will sparkle if you add some metallic floss or blending filament in addition to the suggested floss colors.

Whether you stitch it for a Mardi Gras decoration or make an ornament, this chart is comprised of whole cross stitch only, so it is simple enough for beginners. Adding special fibers and flosses will provide a challenge to experienced stitchers. You may also want to fill in some parts of the design with a cross stitch variation to give a different appearance to the design.

More Free Charts:

• Mardi Gras Motifs
• Simple Back Stitch Crown
• King's Crown